Subspecies:

Podarcis melisellensis melisellensis  (BRAUN, 1877)

Synonyms:

Podarcis melisellensis lissana  (WERNER, 1891)

Podarcis melisellensis galvagnii  (WERNER, 1908)

Podarcis melisellensis pomoensis  (WETTSTEIN, 1926)

Podarcis melisellensis kammereri  (WETTSTEIN, 1926)

Podarcis melisellensis gigas  (WETTSTEIN, 1926)

Podarcis melisellensis digenea  (WETTSTEIN, 1926)

Types:

Holotype: unlocated

Terra Typica:

Brusnik island in the Vis archipelago.

Relevant taxonomic literature:

• Braun, M. (1877) -  Description of Podarcis m. melisellensis. In: “Lacerta lilfordi und Lacerta muralis”. -  Arbeiten aus dem Zoologisch-zootomischen Institut in Würzburg, 4 (1): 1-66.  

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• Podnar, M. & Mayer, W. & Tvrftkovic, N. (2004) -  Mitochondrial phylogeography of the Dalmatian wall lizard, Podarcis melisellensis (Lacertidae). -  Organisms, Diversity & Evolution, 4: 307-317.    

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  A 903 bp section of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was sequenced from 73 specimens of Podarcis melisellensis collected at 52 localities distributed over the major part of the species´ range. In addition, parts of the 12S (about 470 bp) and 16S rRNA (about 500 bp) genes were analysed for 11 representative samples leading to a congruent phylogeny. Our study includes representatives of all 20 subspecies recognized today. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data revealed three main clades: mainland with nearby islands, Vis archipelago, and Lastovo archipelago. The degree of mitochondrial DNA divergence among these clades suggests a separation of the respective population groups during the earliest Pleistocene. The phylogenetic pattern observed within the species is in sharp contrast to the actual taxonomic division into subspecies. A correlation between genetic diversity of P. melisellensis populations and paleogeography of the regions they inhabit is discussed.