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Literature- and poster projects
of the real lizards, family Lacertidae
Lacerta agilis argus (LAURENTI, 1768)
Andres, C. & Franke, F. & Bleidorn, C. & Bernhard, D. & Schlegel, M. (2014) -
The Sand lizard Lacerta agilis inhabits a huge area across Eurasia with several subspecies. Nine subspecies are generally approved, L. a. agilis, L. a. argus, L. a. bosnica; L. a. chersonensis, L. a. exigua, L. a. grusinica, L. a. iorinensis, L. a. brevicaudata and L. a. boemica, but several more have been described. The emergence of this large number of subspecies is connected with the phylogeographic history of this species, defined by geographic and climatic processes. A study revealing phylogenetic relationships of this species was already conducted with a broad taxon sampling and coverage. However, the latter study was based solely on the cytochrome b gene and, furthermore, the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by the subspecies L. a. bosnica was underrepresented. This peninsula is a centre of European herpetofaunal endemism with high levels of phenotypic and genotypic variation. Therefore, the inclusion of the subspecies L. a. bosnica is important to clarify the overall view of the phylogenetic relations within the Lacerta agilis subspecies complex and to investigate the level of population differentiation within this highly diverse area. Thus, the aim of the present study was a more thorough analysis of the Balkan Peninsula with a broader taxon sampling. Furthermore, we extended the available datasets by adding the mitochondrial d-loop region and by further samples of different areas of the distribution range apart from the Balkan Peninsula. Our study reveals that the Balkan Peninsula is apparently inhabited by several differentiated lineages, whereby the Central Greek lineage might deserve subspecies status. Furthermore, the distribution area of the two subspecies L. a. agilis and L. a. argus should be revised, as the results of our study raise doubt about the commonly assumed distribution of both subspecies. As the most important outcome our results support that L. a. boemica deserves species status.
Andres, C. & Franke, F. & Bleidorn, C. & Bernhard, D. & Schlegel, M. (2015) -
The sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) inhabits a huge area across Eurasia with several subspecies. Nine subspecies are generally approved, L. a. agilis, L. a. argus, L. a. bosnica; L. a. chersonensis, L. a. exigua, L. a. grusinica, L. a. iorinensis, L. a. brevicaudata and L. a. boemica, but several more have been described. The emergence of this large number of subspecies is connected with the phylogeographic history of this species, defined by geographic and climatic processes. Within Germany two subspecies exist according to Bischoff (1988), L. a. argus und L. a. agilis, which are separated based on morphological features. However, the existence of these two subspecies was questioned by Rahmel (1988) and by Elbing et al. (1996). We conducted phylogenetic analyses based on the cytochrome b gene sequences from specimen of L. a. agilis and L. a. argus with samples covering their whole distribution range. These sequences already have been published before by Andres et al. (2014) and Kalyabina-Hauf & Ananjeva (2004). Our study challenges the commonly assumed distribution of L. a. agilis und L. a. argusand their status as distinct subspecies. Therefore their genetic status and distribution range should be thoroughly analysed and revised in future studies.
Arribas, O.J. (2001) -
A survey on the geogtraphical variation of scalation in the Sand lizard was done by means of both univariate (ANOVA) and multivariate (Canonical discriminant Analysis and cluster of the Mahalanobis distances among centroids). Our results show the existence of two clearly separated groups, in concordance with previous authors. Lacerta agilis garzoni is enough differentiated to by considered a valid subspecies. Lacerta agilis argus is a mere synonym of Lacerta agilis agilis. Lacerta agilis chersonensis despite their overall similarity in pattern and coloration to the so-called Balcanic group belongs to the Caucasic one. Data on the currently known habitat and chorology of Lacerta agilis garzoni are given.
Baskiera, S. & Vucic, M. & Jelic, D. (2016) -
The sand lizard, Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758, is a small lacertid lizard distributed across Europe and western Asia. The sand lizard also inhabits most of Croatia where two subspecies appear: Lacerta agilis argus Laurenti, 1768 (disputable by some authors) in the northern lowlands and L. a. bosnica Schreiber, 1912 in the Dinaric mountain system. In August 2012, we conducted a population study of L. a. bosnica on Dinara Mountain in Croatia. Dinara is the highest Croatian mountain stretching from Dalmatia (region in Croatia) into Southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sexual dimorphism was established in this population but focus of this study was to analyze ecological and microhabitat parameters on locations where individuals were sampled. Collected data were further analyzed to check whether males and females prefer different environmental conditions. During this research we visited high mountain grasslands between 1000 and 1400 m a.s.l. with mean habitat temperature of 25.6 °C and measured 100 individuals of sand lizard. These individuals were divided into three groups: 56 females, 40 males and 4 juveniles. For each individual a set of ecological and microhabitat preferences parameters was taken within minutes from capture: altitude, wind intensity, cloudiness, substrate temperature, air temperature measured at 5 centimeter above ground, air temperature measured at 60 centimeters above ground and cloaca temperature. Five microhabitats were recognized and all individuals were also analyzed according to differences among them. Mean body temperature of adult individuals was 27.7 °C with no significant difference between sexes. Almost 60% of captured individuals had regenerated tails, indicating high predation pressure.
Basoglu, M. & I. Baran (1977) -
Bischoff, W. (1981) -
Remarks on distribution and mode of life of Lacerta agilis. Short review of its subspecies . Critical remarks on their status.
Bischoff, W. (1988) -
Bischoff, W. (2020) -
The author gives an insight into his decade-long engagement with the sand lizard.
Bischoff, W. & Zawadzki, M. (2021) -
After being voted «Reptile of the year 2020» the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) was featered extensively in the publications and on the websites of the relevant specialist organizations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg (- not least in this magazine -), and it has repeatedly served as an attractive advertising medium for the protection of our amphibians and reptiles in the daily press. Nevertheless, numerous activities and conferences fell victim to the pandemic last year. And so it seems only logical to give the sand lizard a second chance. For this reason the German Society for Herpetology and Herpetoculture (DGHT), in cooperation with the Austrian Society for Herpetology (ÖGH), the Coordination Center for Amphibian and Reptile Protection in Switzerland (karch), the Natural History Museum Luxembourg (MNHN) and the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union Germany (NABU), annouce the sand lizard «Reptile of the Year 2021».
Blanke, I. & Podloucky, R. (2000) -
The present knowledge of the distribution of red-backed Sand Lizard in eastern Lower Saxony is presented. Of a grid corresponding to the Topographical Map 1:25.000 the `erythronotus`-mutant has been reported out of 11 grids since 1981. Populations with redbacked Sand Lizard are mainly found on railway embankments, frequently extended to several kilometer. The status (distribution, threats and conservation) of the Sand Lizard in Lower Saxony is briefly described.
Borkin, L.J. & Litvinchuk, S.N. & Rosano, Y.M. (1997) -
The hybrid Rana esculenta (diploid) is first recorded for Moldavia. Bombina variegata was previously confused with B. bombina, as well as Rana dalmatina was confused with the long-legged R. arvalis. The first confirmed locality of Lacerta vivipara is given. The occurrence of Eremias arguta in Moldavia is mentioned. The check-list of 12 species of amphibians and 15 species of reptiles of Moldavia is published.
Brehm, A.E. (1902) -
Cogălniceanu, D. & Rozylowicz, L. & Székely, P. & Samoilă, C. & Stănescu, F. & Tudor, M. & Székely, D. & Iosif, R. (2013) -
e reptile fauna of Romania comprises 23 species, out of which 12 species reach here the limit of their geographic range. We compiled and updated a national database of the reptile species occurrences from a variety of sources including our own eld surveys, personal communication from specialists, museum collections and the scienti c literature. e occurrence records were georeferenced and stored in a geoda- tabase for additional analysis of their spatial patterns. e spatial analysis revealed a biased sampling e ort concentrated in various protected areas, and de cient in the vast agricultural areas of the southern part of Romania. e patterns of species richness showed a higher number of species in the warmer and drier regions, and a relatively low number of species in the rest of the country. Our database provides a starting point for further analyses, and represents a reliable tool for drafting conservation plans.
Deichsel, G. (2013) -
Deichsel, G. (2015) -
Gramentz, D. (2016) -
Das Geschlechterverhältnis adulter Zauneidechsen der erythronotus-Mutation war stärker zugunsten der Männchen verschoben als bei normal gefärbten Tieren. Sowohl bei den adulten Männchen als auch bei den Adulti insgesamt bevorzugten Tiere der erythronotus-Mutation significant häufiger Altgras als Untergrund am Sonnenplatz, während bei Zauneidechsen mit Normalfärbung die Wahl der Sonnenplätze zwischen Altgras und Wühlmaushügeln ausgeglichen war. Ein signifikanter Unterschied bezüglich der Fluchtstrecke bestand zwischen den beiden Gruppen nicht, und es wurde auch kein bedeutender Unterschied bei der Exposition festgestellt. Ebenso existierte bei den Adulti kein signifikanter Unterschied hinsichtlich eines Befalls mit Zecken. Das Verhältnis von erythronotus-Zauneidechsen mit schwarzen Punkten im rötlichen Rückenband (heterozygot) gegenüber solchen ohne Punkte war ausgeglichen.
Gramentz, D. (2020) -
In an area in Michendorf (Brandenburg) that was completely free of sand lizards after demolition works in 2016, a total of 80 adult and subadult specimens as well as 60 hatchlings were caught in 2019. All these captured sand lizards therefore probably immigrated or hatched primarily in a short period of two yerars in 2017 and 2018.
Gramentz, D. & Kühnel, K.-D. (2020) -
A partly melanistic male of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) was caucht on September 17, 2017 in the former Olympic village of 1936 near Elstal (district Havelland, Brandenburg). However, the animal was not entirely coloured black, but had small parts on the back with light-reddish to light-brown areas as it occurs similar in the erythronotus-mutation. An entirely black male was caught by a cat on May 15, 2020 in the district Treptow-Köpenick of Berlin.
Henle, K. & Steinicke, H. & Gruttke, H. (2004) -
Jelić, D. (2010) -
The Sand Lizard, Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758, is a species very widely distributed in Croatia. Erythronotus coloration morphs are known to appear very often in different parts of Central and Eastern Europe, but were never recorded in Croatia. In this paper the author describes the first record of this color morph in a male individual collected in the vicinity of Donji Miholjac (Northeastern Croatia) during research in 2006.
Kammel, W. (2022) -
Observation of a remarkably colored female sand lizard, Lacerta agilis argus in Gleinalpe, Styria, Austria.
Kühnel, K.-D. (2013) -
In two populations of the Sand Lizard in Berlin two specimens of the concolor mutant, a male and a female, could be observed in the year 2013. The Habitats were located at a railway track and a former railway switchyard.
Kukushkin, O.V. & Ermakov, O.A. & Ivanov, A.Yu. & Doronin, I.V. & Sviridenko, E.Yu. & Simonov, E.P. & Gorelov, R.A. & Khramova, M.A. & Blokhin, I.G. (2020) -
The contact zones of the distribution ranges of closely related reptile taxa are the source of valuable data on the microevolutionary processes in populations, the history of regional faunas origin, and the environmental prefer- ences of the studied forms. Our study is focused on the genetic structure of the populations of sand lizard, Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758, at the Crimean peninsula. This lacertid species inhabits the mountain (afforested) and plain (steppe) parts of the Crimea, being abundant or common in many areas. Lacerta agilis is represented in the Crimea by two subspecies: the widely distributed Eastern (L. a. exigua Eichwald, 1831) inhabiting a large part of Northern Eurasia, and the endemic (L. a. tauridica Suchow, 1927) residing in the Crimean mountains. Mitochondrial hap- logroup affiliation corresponding to one of the subspecies (L. a. tauridica, L. a. exigua or L. a. chersonensis) was established for 225 L. agilis individuals from 81 localities in the Crimea and adjacent mainland territories. The nu- cleotide sequences of the complete cytochrome b gene of mitochondrial DNA (1143 bp) were studied in 75 L. agilis individuals from 68 localities. The genetic distance between both subspecies inhabiting the Crimea revealed by used molecular marker comprised 2.8%, which indicates their early divergence approximately at the transition of Early to Middle Pleistocene (ca. 1 Mya). L. a. tauridica is characterized by a comparatively deep genetic structure. Haplotypes occupying isolated positions on the phylogenetic tree of this subspecies were found in the south-west- ern part of the Crimean Mountains, what might be explained by the localization of L. agilis microrefugia in areas least affected by the Late Pleistocene cooling. Genetic structure of L. a. exigua is more homogeneous. Another important result of our study was an identification of zones of haplogroups «exigua» and «tauridica» coexistence localized along the northern and eastern margins of the Crimean Mountains. The portion of the «exigua» hap- logroup in local populations decreases southward and westward. The observed pattern of the spatial distribution of haplogroups seems to be a result of the hybridization zone formation between the sand lizard subspecies during the Holocene expansion of L. a. exigua. Ecological niches modeling for L. agilis subspecies and analysis of morpho- logical variability of the lizards support the hypothesis of L. a. exigua and L. a. tauridica hybridization in the area of contact of their ranges in the eastern part of the Crimean Mountains.
Кукушкин, О.В. & Ермаков, О.А. & Иванов А.Ю. & Доронин И.В. & Свириденко Е.Ю. & Симонов Е.П. & Горелов Р.А. & Храмова М.А. & Блохин И.Г. (2020) -
Зоны контакта ареалов близкородственных таксонов пресмыкающихся являются источником ценных сведений о микроэволюционных процессах в популяциях, истории формирования региональных фаун и экологических преференциях изучаемых форм. В фокусе нашего исследования находилась молеку- лярно-генетическая структура популяций прыткой ящерицы, Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758, Крымского полуострова. Этот вид лацертид распространен в горно-лесной и равнинно-степной частях Крыма, на многих участках являясь фоновым, и представлен в Крыму двумя подвидами: широкоареальным вос- точным (L. a. exigua Eichwald, 1831), населяющим значительную часть Северной Евразии, и эндемич- ным горно-крымским (L. a. tauridica Suchow, 1927). Для 225 особей L. agilis из 81 локалитета в Крыму (с прилежащими территориями) была установлена принадлежность к митохондриальной гаплогруппе, соответствующей одному из подвидов: L. a. tauridica, L. a. exigua или L. a. chersonensis. Нуклеотидные последовательности полноразмерного гена цитохрома b митохондриальной ДНК (1143 п.н.) изучены у 75 особей L. agilis из 68 локалитетов. Генетическая дистанция между обитающими в Крыму подвидами, по молекулярному маркеру, составила 2.8%, что свидетельствует об их давней дивергенции, возраст ко- торой может быть предварительно отнесен к рубежу раннего и среднего плейстоцена (около 1 млн. лет). Для L. a. tauridica характерна достаточно глубокая генетическая структурированность. Гаплотипы, за- нимающие обособленные позиции на филогенетическом древе данного подвида, выявлены на юго-за- паде Горного Крыма, что может быть связано с локализацией микрорефугиумов в районе полуострова,наименее затронутом похолоданием позднего плейстоцена. Генетическая структура L. a. exigua более однородна. Другим важным результатом стало выявление зон совместного обитания представителей гаплогрупп «exigua» и «tauridica», локализованных вдоль северной и восточной окраин Горного Крыма. Доля в популяциях особей гаплогруппы «exigua» снижается в направлении на запад и юг. Наблюдаемая картина пространственного распределения гаплогрупп, по-видимому, является результатом форми- рования в низкогорных местностях зоны гибридизации подвидов прыткой ящерицы при экспансии L. a. exigua в голоцене. Моделирование экологических ниш подвидов и анализ морфологической из- менчивости ящериц дают дополнительные аргументы в пользу высказанного нами предположения о гибридизации L. a. exigua и L. a. tauridica в зоне контакта их ареалов в восточной части Горного Крыма.
Laurenti, J.N. (1768) -
Maslak, R. (1995) -
A reprot on lizard species inhabiting Poland, with remarks about their distribution and habits. There are three species found there undoubtfully. These are: Lacerta agilis, Lacerta vivipara, and Anguis fragilis. The presence of the fourth species - Lacerta viridis - is uncertain. The Population discovered in 1968 has been extincted.
Maślak, R. & Paśko, L. & Kusnierz, J. & Moska, M. & Heulin, B. & Surget-Groba, Y. (2010) -
Eight populations of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) from Poland (allozymes and cytochrome b gene sequences) and 18 populations from Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, France and Russia (dloop region sequence) were studied. The level of allozyme polymorphism is very low. It was only found in two loci of two enzyme systems (MOD and PGD) among the 8 loci studied and only in two populations from North-Eastern and Central-Eastern Poland. Bayesian Inference and additional phylogenetic analyses basing on cytochrome b gene and dloop region indicate clearly that haplotypes from these two populations form a separate clade. The study confirms the homogenity of sand lizard populations in Central Europe (L. agilis argus) except for populations from NE and E of Poland (L. agilis chersonensis). Dloop analysis suggests the position of sand lizard from Croatia as L. agilis bosnica.
Wykonano badania zrónicowania genetycznego osmiu populacji jaszczurki zwinki z terenu Polski (allozymy i sekwencje genu cytochromu b) oraz 18 populacji z Polski, Słowacji, Austrii, Wegier, Chorwacji, Włoch, Francji i Rosji (sekwencje fragmentu d-loop). Stwierdzony poziom polimorfizmu allozymów był bardzo niski. Spo ród o miu studiowanych loci polimorfizm znaleziono tylko w dwóch loci dwóch systemów enzymatycznych (MOD i PGD). Dotyczył on populacji z północno- i srodkowo-wschodniej Polski. Analiza bayesowska oraz inne zastosowane metody filogenetyczne oparte na sekwencjach cytochromu B oraz regionu d-loop wskazuj , e haplotypy ze wschodniej Polski tworza oddzielny klad. Badania potwierdzaj jednorodno ü gene- tyczna badanych populacji z Europy rodkowej (L. agilis argus) z wyjatkiem populacji z północ- no-wschodniej i srodkowo-wschodniej czesci Polski oraz populacji chorwackiej (L. a. bosnica).
Mazuch, T. (2002) -
Milto, K.D. (1996) -
Niebergall, P. (2008) -
Nöllert, A. (1987) -
Nöllert, A. (1988) -
Nöllert, A. (1989) -
Nöllert, A. (2012) -
Rahmel, U. (1988) -
Rahmel, U. (1989) -
Rahmel, U. & Meyer, S. (1987) -
In June 1986 we caught and released nearly 100 sand lizard (Lacerta agilisargus) of apopulation living in a sand pitch in Lower Austria. Metric characters, age structure, population density, and ectoparasites are recorded and discussed.
Rahmel, U. & Meyer, S. (1988) -
Richter, H. (2013) -
It is reported about the keeping and breeding of Lacerta agilis brevicaudata. Due to strong intraspecific fights between the adult males, it was impossible to keep two males together in the same terrarium. From April until September the lizards are being kept pairwise in an outdoor enclosure. Comparisons between Lacerta agilis brevicaudata and the local subspecies Lacerta agilis argus are made.
Schepp, U. (2022) -
The sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) finds its southern range limit in the Alpine region and, according to current knowledge, does not penetrate southwards over the Brenner or Reschen Passes into the area of Vinschgau or the Eisack Valley (Valle Isarco) in South Tyrol, although presumably suitable habitats for this species would be available there (see SCHMIDTLER & SCHMIDTLER 2004, SCHMIDTLER et al. 2006, PIEH et al. 2021). An analysis of the physiogeographical and climatological conditions of the South Tyrolean area, considering the auto-ecological characteristics of the Sand Lizard, shows the obstacles for a permanent colonisation of at least some sub-areas. The application of KÜHNELT’S principle of regional stenoecia (1943), but at the subspecies level in the sense of BÖHME (1978, 1989) is suitable for resolving this ecological-biogeographical issue.
Schlüter, U. (2004) -
Speybroeck, J. (2007) -
Tiedemann, F. (1989) -
Tuniyev, S.B. & Tuniyev, B.S. (2008) -
Intraspecific variation of sand lizard in the Western Caucasus is discussed with description of a new high-mountain subspecies Lacerta agilis mzymtensis ssp. nov. from upper basing of Mzymta River (vicinity of Sochi, Russia).
Zauner, J. (2022) -
During the first lockdown due to COVID 19, travel was heavily restricted. The search for reptiles in the vicinity of my home resulted in the discovery of several locations of the sand lizard.
Brief note on the discovery of hypomelanistic females of Lacerta agilis argus in the municipality of Kiefersfelden, Upper Bavaria, near the Austrian Border and Freiham/Munich.