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The lizards observed during a three-week excursion through Algeria in May 1988 are presented in this report on a trip through the Maghreb countries.

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2024 was the 100th anniversary of Prof. Dr. ILYA S. DAREVSKY`s birthday, which coincided with the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The merits of this great researcher on lacertid lizards are appreciated, and special attention is given to his references to Germany, and particularly to Bonn.

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The article reports on the discovery of a dark color morph of the Greek Rock Lizard (Hellenolacerta graeca) in the southeastern Peloponnese. It also discusses the possible selective role of such dark coloring.

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Bahnstrecken gehören zu den wichtigsten Sekundärlebensräumen der Zauneidechse (Lacerta agilis). Zur Aufrechterhaltung des Bahnbetriebs sind jedoch regelmäßige Eingriffe an Bahnstrecken notwendig, welche eine Gefahr für lokalen Zauneidechsenpopulationen sein können. Um mögliche Bedrohungen durch Instandhaltung und Bauarbeiten einschätzen zu können, sind detaillierte Kenntnisse darüber erforderlich, wie Zauneidechsen ihren Lebensraum entlang von Bahnstrecken nutzen. Daher haben wir in den Jahren 2020 und 2021 die Aktionsräume von Zauneidechsen mit Hilfe von Radiotelemetrie untersucht und festgestellt, ob sich diese zwischen den Jahreszeiten und den Geschlechtern unterscheiden. Zudem haben wir die an Bahnstrecken vorhandenen Mikrohabitate einschließlich der Schlafplätze der Eidechsen untersucht. Die Datenaufnahme wurde in Brandenburg durchgeführt. Im Ergebnis zeig te sich, dass die Aktionsräume von Zauneidechsen im Frühjahr nach der Winterruhe am kleinsten und im Sommer am größten sind. Unterschiede in der Größe der Aktionsräume zwischen Männchen und Weibchen waren nicht signifikant. Die Größe des Aktionsraums ließ sich am besten durch die Kalenderwoche vorhersagen, da in warmen Sommermo naten im Schnitt größere Aktionsräume verzeichnet wurden als im Frühjahr und Spätsommer. Die Kernlebensräume der einzelnen Tiere befanden sich direkt entlang der Bahnlinie. Die meisten Schlafplätze wurden in der Böschung und im Gleisschotter festgestellt. Insbesondere im Sommer stellte der Schotter den meistgenutzten Schlafplatz dar, während sich die Schlafplätze im Frühjahr und Spätsommer hauptsächlich in der Böschung und am Waldrand befanden. Unsere Studie zeigt, dass Bahngleise und die angrenzenden Böschungen eine hohe Strukturvielfalt aufweisen und damit ganz jährig von Zauneidechsen besiedelt werden können, während die genaue Lebensraumnutzung je nach Jahreszeit va riiert. Darüber hinaus geben wir detaillierte Einblicke in die Nutzung verschiedener Mikrohabitate als Versteck- und Schlafplätze.

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The results of our laboratory hybridization of green-bellied (Darevskia chlorogaster) and Caspian (Darevskia capsica) lizards are presented. When crossing D. chlorogaster females and D. caspica males, 7 hybrid individuals were obtained. The newborn lizards had body lengths of 24.59–27.11 mm and masses of 0.32–0.37 g. Incubation lasted 57–61 days. After the first period of hibernation (286–357 days after leaving the eggs) the hybrids had their first attempts at mating and laying eggs. An individual with a body length of 25.73 mm and a weight of 0.38 g was obtained from one such clutch, which soon died. The authors suggest that the studied combination of hybrids may be characterized by impaired reproductive function.

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The paper presents a comparative analysis of the growth rates and characteristics of 10 lizard species from the genus Darevskia (D. armeniaca, D. arribasi, D. brauneri, D. caucasica, D. daghestanica, D. derjugini, D. mixta, D. pontica, D. raddei, and D. valentini) in laboratory conditions. It has been shown that lizards from different species complexes, but originating from close localities, are characterized by similar growth features. Lizards from Western and Central Transcaucasia (D. brauneri, D. derjugini, D. mixta, and D. pontica), despite their different ecological niches, are characterized by the lowest feed costs per unit weight gain and the highest mass accumulation coefficients compared to animals from the North Caucasus (D. caucasica and D. daghestanica) and the Armenian Highlands (D. armeniaca, D. raddei, and D. valentini).

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The results of our study of age and growth of the Eastern slowworm (Anguis colchica) in two localities in the east of the Lesser Caucasus are presented. 33 individuals (18 males and 15 females) from the vicinity of Stepanavan town (Lori Marz, Armenia) were studied. A sample from the vicinity of Zanavi village (Borjomi municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Georgia) contained 19 specimens (6 males and 13 females). The body length of captured animals was measured and the tip of the tail was clipped. The mandibular dental bone was also extracted from Stepanavan individuals killed on the motorway. The tail vertebrae and tooth bones of slow worms were shown to produce an equal number of stopped growth lines. The age of females from Stepanavan ranged from 2 to 6 years (mean 4.33±1.35) and males 3 to 7 years (mean 4.72±1.13), respectively. Males and females did not differ statistically significantly in their mean age. The females from Zanavi were 3–7 years old (mean 4.67±0.89) and males 3–6 years old (mean 4.67±1.04), respectively. Lizards from Armenia and Georgia did not differ in their mean age. In Stepanavan, males were significantly larger than females, while in Zanavi they did not differ. Females from Zanavi were larger than females from Stepanavan, and males from Stepanavan were larger than males from Zanavi.

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Our sex ratio analysis of mature individuals in populations of 5 lizard species, genus Eremias (Lacertidae) and genus Phrynocephalus (Agamidae), during the breeding season has shown that males predominate in the genus Eremias in most cases, while females predominate in the genus Phrynocephalus. This fact is confirmed by data collected by other researchers on 14 more species of the indicated genera. The authors believe that this difference is due to some ecological features of the noted systematic groups. The predominance of males in the Eremias populations is probably determined by the high activity of males and the greater probability of becoming a victim for predators. In this case, a significant number of males serves as an additional mechanism for maintaining the necessary 1:1 balance of mating partners during the breeding season. The predominance of females in the Phrynocephalus populations is most likely determined by peculiarities of the spatial structure, namely: several females usually live in a male’s territory, which generally increases the chance of a larger number of females participating in reproduction. Thus, the corresponding differences in the sexual structure apparently serve as mechanisms for optimizing the success of the breeding season.

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We reevaluate the recent species description of Holaspis ngalangi from Angola by Parrinha et al. (2025), which was based solely on variable morphological characters, through comparative analysis of specimens across the genus’ range, including material previously examined but not reported by the original authors. Our analysis demonstrates that the proposed diagnostic traits of this species (precloacal scale morphology and ventral scale arrangement) are hyper- variable within both H. guentheri and H. laevis, showing neither biogeographic nor morphological consistency. Notably, specimens from Angola’s Dundo Museum, though examined by Parrinha et al. (2025), were omitted from their analysis despite exhibiting the same variable characteristics, strongly indicating these represent intraspecific variation rather than diagnostic species-lineage features. Consequently, we formally place Holaspis ngalangi Parrinha, Marques, Gonçalves, Tuitenko, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2025 as a junior synonym of Holaspis guentheri Gray, 1863, representing the second recent case of an Angolan reptile species description based solely on morphological data being synonymised within the last decade. These repeated cases highlight the inherent risks of morphology-only taxonomy, particularly when: (1) diagnostic characters show extensive overlap among taxa, and (2) multiple lines of evidence are not incorporated. Our findings also emphasize the critical need for robust, integrative species delimitation approaches in understudied regions like Angola, where high levels of cryptic diversity and phenotypic plasticity are likely to complicate taxonomic assessments.

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The members of the Afrotropical lacertid genus Holaspis are strikingly specialized lizards, adapted for gliding in forest canopies, with serrated blue tails. Two species are currently recognized within the genus: Holaspis guentheri from West and Central Africa, and Holaspis laevis from East Africa. The currently known southern limits of H. guentheri are in the northern Angolan Guineo-Congolian habitats, which are remnants of forests connecting the country to West/Central Africa. The oldest record of the species in Angola, dating back to the 19th century, is based on a currently lost specimen collected by José d’Anchieta near Caconda, southwest Angola. Caconda is situated on the Angolan Central Plateau, which is part of the Great Escarpment of southern Africa. The loss of Anchieta’s specimen and its geographic context led most authors to disregard it, leaving its taxonomic identity dubious until now. The rediscovery of two additional specimens from Caconda, collected by William John Ansorge in the early 20th century and deposited in the Natural History Museum, London, allowed us to confirm the presence of the genus in the region, prompting targeted surveys and examination of additional material. Our surveys failed to locate any Holaspis near Caconda, with alarming rates of deforestation in the region raising the possibility that this population may already be extinct. The reexamination of the extant Caconda specimens and comparison with H. guentheri and H. laevis revealed consistent morphological differences that suggests that the Caconda population may represent a distinct taxonomic unit. Here we describe the Holaspis from Caconda as a new species, presumably endemic to the Angolan Central Plateau. These findings and their implications are discussed in the biogeographical context of the highlands of western Angola, a recognized hotspot of diversity and endemism for several taxonomic groups.

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The Nucras of the eastern Zambezi River basin region, comprising Zambia, Malawi and central Mozambique have been poorly studied. We re-evaluated the type specimens of Lacerta cameranoi Bedriaga, 1886 and L. tessellata pseudotessellata Bedriaga, 1886, both collected at Tete, Mozambique by Wilhelm Peters in the 1840s. Both are assignable to N. ornata, the most widespread Nucras in the region. However, an additional specimen collected from Tete is referrable to N. holubi, filling a collecting gap for this species between central Zimbabwe and southern Malawi. Nucras records from northeastern Zambia include several N. boulengeri, two photo-vouchered records, one unidentifiable and the other an enigmatic form not consistent with any known species, and a new species from Senga Hill, Northern Province. The new species, Nucras margaritae sp. nov., is known only from its holotype. It is morphologically similar to N. ornata, from which it is separated by 620 airline km, but is deeply genetically divergent from all congeners and is sister to the clade comprising N. holubi, N. ornata, N. damarana and N. intertexta. At least five species of Nucras, four currently named, inhabit the greater eastern Zambezi River basin.

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Iberolacerta martinezricai, the Batuecan lizard, is the reptile species with the most restricted distribution in continental Europe, confined to a few rocky scree habitats in the Sierra de Francia, Spain. During the study period of 2018 (22 days of fieldwork from May to October), a total of 67 localities (30% more than in 2007 censuses) were surveyed. Of these places, 30 (44.77%) were positive for the presence of the species. The mean density of specimens per hectare was 41.44 (53.68 ind.ha, considering only the most favorable places), which gives a total estimation of 4140 specimens for the species (undoubtedly an overestimated value). The screes with presence of the species tend to be larger in surface, located at an higher average altitude (1300 – 1700 m), with a lower slope, greater average stone size, higher moisture and presence of lichens and mosses, and with a greater weight in the connectivity of the network of all the screes in the study area. A modeling analysis of the potential distribution of the species (156 potential sites) was performed. This model indicates the probable presence in 89 (57.05%) and very probable presence in 64 (71.91%) of the 89 remaining places. Of the 64 very probable places, 39 have been sampled in the 2018 census. Of those 39, the species was really present in 27 (69.23%), which would indicate a good fit for the model. The model has allowed the identification of 35 new scree sites where the presence of the species is very probable (25) or probable (10) to be sampled in future.

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Our article presents the most comprehensive data on ticks and mites parasitizing lizards of the genus Eremias. We provide the revised data on both host and ectoparasite taxonomy according to the most up-to-date information. Nine species of ectoparasites have been documented in the Caucasus region and Iran, including Haemaphysalis punctata, Haem. sulcata, Haem. parva, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyal. aegyptium (reported for the first time), Ophionyssus saurarum, Odontacarus armeniensis, Ericotrombidium caucasicum, Pentidionis angulata. Compared to lizards of the genus Darevskia and Lacerta, racerunners exhibit approximately equal levels of infestation.

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In this study, total twenty seven reptilian species including three turtle species, Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), nine lizard species such as Common Tree Lizard (Calotes versicolor versicolor), Spotted Barn Gecko (Hemidactylus brooki), Yellow Bellied Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis), Persian House Gecko (Hemidactylus persicus), Blotched House Gecko (Hamidactylus triedrus), Mediterranean House Gecko (Hamidactylus turcicus), Blue Tail Sand Lizard (Acanthodactylus cantoris), Spotted Lacerta (Mesalina watsonana), and Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis) were recorded from Manora, Sandspit, Hawksbay and Cape Monze areas during 2001-2009. Fifteen snakes species viz Beaked Sea Snake (Enhydrina schistosa), Blue Green Sea Snake (Hydrophis caerulescens), Annulated Sea Snake (Hydrophis cyanocinctus), Persian Sea Snake (Hydrophis lapemoides), Broad Band Sea Snake (Hydrophis mamillaris), Reef Sea Snake (Hydrophis ornatus), Yellow Sea Snake (Hydrophis spiralis), Pygmy Sea Snake (Lapemis curtus), Spotted Small Headed Sea Snake (Microcephalophis cantrois), Pelagic Sea Snake (Pelamis platurus), Spotted Viperine Sea Snake (Praescutata viperina), and Blotched Diadem Snake (Sphalerosophis diadema diadema) were recorded, while three species Cliff Racer (Platyceps rhodorachis), Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) and Black Cobra (Naja naja) were recorded from Manora, Hawkesbay and Cape Monze area only. There are several habitat degradation threats especially to marine turtles, Lizards are also affected by habitat degradation and disturbance, but it is a very minor threat. There is some mortality of Bengal Monitor during the road crossing. Human activities that directly or indirectly threaten marine turtles include the exploitation of eggs and turtles, fishery-related mortality, inappropriate management practices, destruction or modification of habitats, pollution, and recreation activities.

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The rcptiles and amphibians oFtheKarnanjab area and adjacent Darnaraland, Namibia, are discussed, based on a series of nearly 500 specimens collected during recent field work in the region and information derived from more than 900 museum records and a survey of the literature. A total of 14 amphibian and 88 reptile species are h o w to inhabit the region. Representatives of psammophine snakes and the lizard genera Pachydactylus and Mabuya constitute an especially significant proponion of the local fauna. The fauna is transitional between southern arid and tropical and is similar to that of southwestern Angola. The well-defined edge of the Great Escarpment. emphasized in the region by the Gmotberg, divides the study area into discrete eastern (mcsic. high elevation) and western (xcric. low elevation) portions, characterized by the presence of some closely related species pairs.

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The new species of leaf‐toed gecko described here was originally referred to as Phyllodactylus sp. while describing P. swartbergensis (Haacke, 1996), when a cleared specimen was used for comparison with those of most of the other then‐accepted southern African species of Phyllodactylus. When reviewing the Southern African and Old World Phyllodactylus, Bauer et al. (1997), described five new genera and placed P. swartbergensis, P.porphyreus and P.ansorgii into the new genus Afrogecko. This new species was also, but only tentatively, placed into Afrogecko. A recent opportunity provided access to fresh material, including tissue material, which will allow a reassessment of the generic status after the description of this species.

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African pygmy toads of the genus Poyntonophrynus are some of the least known species of African toads. The genus comprises ten recognized species endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, five of which are restricted to southwestern Africa. Recent field research in Angola provided new material for three species of Poyntonophrynus, including a morphologically distinctive population from the Serra da Neve Inselberg. Based on a combination of external morphology, high-resolution computed tomography scanning, and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the Serra da Neve population is described as new species that is nested within the genus. The most striking character that differentiates the newly described species from its congeners is the lack of a tympanic middle ear, a condition common in the family Bufonidae, but so far not known for Poyntonophrynus. The description of this new species from southwestern Angola reinforces the biogeographic importance of the region and further suggests that southwestern Africa is the cradle of diversity for this genus.

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Ichnotropis is a genus of medium-sized lacertids endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, characterised by rough head shields. The genus currently comprises six nominal species distributed across much of southern, central, and eastern Africa. Some species are apparently active at only certain times of the year, resulting in limited specimen collections and severely hampering research. This scarcity of material has historically made comprehensive systematic reviews of the genus difficult and has led to the description of numerous regional morphological variants as distinct species or subspecies. Material collected in recent years has enabled us to provide a new phylogenetic hypothesis of Ichnotropis using two mitochondrial genes (16S and ND4) and two nuclear genes (c-mos and RAG-1). Our phylogenetic dataset includes 56 individuals representing five of the six currently recognised species (excluding I. chapini). Additionally, the broad geographical sampling of the widespread I. capensis group has allowed us to explore the taxonomic status of several species and subspecies within the group. As a result, we demonstrate the monophyly of Ichnotropis in relation to other African lacertids and present the most comprehensive phylogeny of the genus to date. We also provide the first phylogenetic placements for I. tanganicana and I. grandiceps, which allows us to validate their taxonomic statuses. Furthermore, we recovered a new cryptic species closely related to I. grandiceps, and identified several well-supported clades within the I. capensis group, all corroborated by multi-locus species delimitation analyses. One of these clades is described herein as a new species, while the remaining taxa of interest are discussed and highlighted for future investigation. Based on our findings, we recommend the following taxonomic revisions: Ichnotropis longipes and I. macrolepidota should remain synonyms of I. capensis; I. bivittata pallida and I. capensis nigrescens are treated as a junior synonyms of I. bivittata; and I. overlaeti is considered a junior synonym of I. tanganicana. Although we could not determine the phylogenetic placement of I. chapini due to the lack of genetic material, its head morphology and scalation support its reassignment to the I. bivittata group. Thus, it is retained as a valid species pending the availability of new material for further taxonomic actions. In conclusion, this study resolves several long-standing taxonomic issues within one of Africa’s most understudied lacertid genera and lays a solid foundation for future research on the genus Ichnotropis.

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This work is the second report of the results obtained from a series of rapid biodiversity surveys of the upper Cuito, Cubango, Cuando, Zambezi, and Kwanza River basins in Angola, which were conducted between 2015 and 2019 in conjunction with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. The herpetofauna of this region are poorly documented and the results of these surveys help to address the knowledge gap regarding the conservation importance of this region. Here, an updated checklist is provided for the current and historical records of lizards, chelonians, and crocodiles from the southeastern region of Angola. A total of 369 new records were documented comprising 40 species, bringing the total number of recognized lizard, chelonian, and crocodile species in this region to 58. These surveys documented four new country records (i.e., Lygodactylus chobiensis, Agama armata, Pachydactylus wahlbergii, and Ichnotropis cf. grandiceps) and increased the total number of reptile species known to occur in Angola (excluding snakes) from approximately 157 to 161. Finally, updated distribution maps for the whole country are provided for all of the species encountered in this study.

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During the present study in 2012, a total of twenty four mammalian species were recorded belonging to 5 orders and 10 families; out of these, 8 species are less common, 2 species are rare, while 14 species are common in Hub Dam area. Twenty five reptilian species belonging to 3 orders and 12 families were also recorded from the area. Three species of mammalian Urial (Ovis vignei), Chinkara/Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) and Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), one reptilian species Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) were recorded as rare from the study area during 2012. During the present study, nine mammalian species Wild Goat/Sindh Ibex (Capra aegagrus), Urial (Ovis vignei), Chinkara/Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii), Indian Hedgehog (Paraechinus micropus), Cape Hare (Lepus capensis), Little Indian Field Mouse (Mus booduga), House Shrew (Sorex thibetanus), Balochistan Gerbil (Gerbillus nanus) and Indian Gerbil (Tatera indica) and two reptilian Warty Rock Gecko (Cyrtodactylus kachhensis) and Banded Dwarf Gecko (Tropiocolotes helenae) were recorded from the area. As regards threats to mammals and reptiles, these are affected by disturbance. Efforts are being made to conserve the important mammals and reptiles particularly in the protected area especially at Hub Dam.

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Carotenoids are essential substances for animal physiology, fulfilling antioxidant functions and participating in color regulation. Consequently, the development of methodologies for using synthetic and natural carotenoids in animal feeding is increasingly relevant. This study presents findings on the effects of carotenoids on the rearing of juvenile Lacerta media. Subjects (n = 24) were equally divided into two groups (control and experimental), with each group maintained in triplicate. Prior to the experiment, each individual was labeled, measured, and weighed, and a dorsal photograph was taken. Lizards in the experimental group received dietary carotenoid supplementation every third feeding via dusting of the insect prey. Results indicated that dietary carotenoid intake did not significantly affect the growth of juveniles Lacerta media across the experimental period. However, RGB model comparison of coloration revealed statistically significant differences in blue and green parameters throughout the study: the control group exhibited higher values for these parameters than the experimental group. The authors propose that these differences in coloration are attributable to the depletion of the upper xanthophore pigment layer in control group individuals due to carotenoid deficiency, resulting in a dominance of blue-green hues conferred by the underlying iridophore layer.

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Common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) in Italy show a striking variation in body coloration across the landscape, with highly exaggerated black and green colors in hot and dry climates and brown and white colors in cool and wet climates. Males are more intensely colored than females, and previous work has suggested that the maintenance of variation in coloration across the landscape reflects climatic effects on the strength of male–male competition, and through this sexual selection. However climatic effects on the intensity of male–male competition would need to be exceptionally strong to fully explain the geographic patterns of color variation. Thus, additional processes may contribute to the maintenance of color variation. Here we test the hypothesis that selection for green and black ornamentation in the context of male–male competition is opposed by selection against ornamentation because the genes involved in the regulation of coloration have pleiotropic effects on thermal physiology, such that ornamentation is selected against in cool climates. Field observations revealed no association between body coloration and microhabitat use or field active body temperatures. Consistent with these field data, lizards at the extreme ends of the phenotypic distribution for body coloration did not show any differences in critical minimum temperature, preferred body temperature, temperature‐dependent metabolic rate, or evaporative water loss when tested in the laboratory. Combined, these results provide no evidence that genes that underlie sexual ornamentation are selected against in cool climate because of pleiotropic effects on thermal biology.

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Many animal species show considerable intraspecific phenotypic variation. For species with broad distributions, this variation may result from heterogeneity in the strength and agents of selection across environments and could contribute to reproductive isolation among populations. Here, we examined interpopulation variation in a morphological trait related to chemical communication, femoral pore number (FP), using 3437 individuals from 55 Pyrenean populations of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). Specifically, we tested the relative roles of genetic relatedness and gene flow, and adaptation to local conditions in generating this variation, with particular interest in the influence of climate and the socio‐sexual environment (i.e., the intensity of sexual selection, estimated using sexual size dimorphism [SSD] and adult sex ratio as proxy measures). We found significant interpopulation variation and sexual dimorphism in FP, as well as high genomic differentiation among populations driven by both geographic and environmental distances. Specifically, FP differences across populations were best predicted by a combination of positive allometry and the local intensity of sexual selection, as determined by SSD, or local climatic conditions. Higher FP in more male‐competitive environments, or with higher temperature and vegetation complexity, is consistent with adaptation to maintaining signaling efficacy of territorial scent marks. These results suggest that adaptation to local conditions contributes to interpopulation divergence in FP and thus environmental changes can potentially impact the fine‐tuning of chemical communication mediating social and sexual behavior.

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According to the observations of May and September 2010-2011, conducted in South-East of Atyrau region between Karaton and Srykamys villages, the authout recorded 11 species in spring and 5 species in autumn of 2010. Eleven species of amphibians and reptiles were registered in spring and autumn of 2011. Table data on the population of these species are given.

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As a result of two trips to South-East Kyzylkums in April 2008 and June - July 2009 seventeen species of reptiles were found: the Central Asian turtle, 10 species of lizards and 6 species of snakes. New data on distribution and abundance of some of them, including two species listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan (desert monitor (Varanus griseus) and armoured glass lizard (Pseudopus apodus)) is presented.

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Environmental heterogeneity on a spatial and temporal scale fosters an organism`s capacity to plastically alter coloration. Predation risk might favour the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in colour patterns, as individuals who change colour throughout the year may be able to improve their fitness. Here we explored the change in dorsal pigmentation of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris) at three time points (March, July, October) during a period of activity in a Mediterranean natural area in southern Italy. Following a preliminary investigation conducted in 2018, during 2019 we captured 135 lizards and took a picture of their ventral scales to check for possible recapture over the sessions. Lizard dorsal pictures were collected in the field with the support of a reference chart to quantitatively estimate chromatic variables (hue, saturation and value). At the same time, pictures of the environmental background were collected. Our findings suggest that lizards are capable of altering dorsal coloration during seasonal change. They vary from green at the onset of spring, to brownish in the middle of summer and to a greyish colour in October. This modification closely followed environmental background colour variation and enhanced lizard crypsis during each season.

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Background Whole genome data are invaluable resources for both conservation and adaptation studies, especially for endemic species, providing insights into the evolution of genes involved in genomic adaptation across different environments. Objective We compare the newly generated genomic and transcriptomic data of the Cretan endemic lizard species Podarcis cretensis to other Podarcis species to obtain an overview of gene family evolution and genome structure within the genus. Methods Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed using the newly published genome of P. cretensis. A gene set was predicted using RNA-seq data from 36 samples, comprising three tissues (liver, brain, and muscle) from both male and female individuals across three distinct habitats. Results The main findings revealed that P. cretensis and P. raffonei present the best genome assemblies and the most syntenic among the Podarcis species examined. Moreover, P. cretensis displayed the highest percentage of single-copy genes and the lowest percentage of duplicated genes. These duplicated genes are primarily associated with immune and sensory-related gene families, including chemokines, interleukins, immunoglobulin-like domain proteins, secreted proteins, and vomeronasal type-2 receptors. Conclusions This study deepens our understanding of chromosome structure, gene expression, and genome evolution in the Podarcis genus, representing the most extensive comparative analysis to date. The newly predicted gene set of the insular endemic species P. cretensis offers initial insights into gene expression related to adaptation across environments and tissues. Comparative genomic analyses further revealed gene families potentially involved in environmental adaptation.

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Sexual dimorphism in digit length ratios has been reported for humans, a few other mammals, and two bird species. This dimorphism is thought to arise via an interaction between the prenatal exposure of the embryo to sex hormones and the Hox genes, which are highly conserved among vertebrates and control the development of both the appendices, including fingers and toes, and the urogenital system. In this study, we report on sexual dimorphism in 2D:3D, 2D:4D, and 3D:4D contralateral ratios of the forelimbs in two species of oviparous lizards, the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) and the tree skink (Mabuya planifrons), as measured on museum specimens. We found that male P. muralis had a larger 2D:4D ratio on both sides and larger 2D:3D ratio on the left side than females, whereas in M. planifrons, males had lower 2D:3D ratios than females on the left side. The two species show opposite patterns of sexual dimorphism in body size, males being larger than females in P. muralis, and the reverse in M. planifrons, suggesting that interspecific variation of sex differences in digit ratios could be associated with sex-specific growth trajectories. There was a limited evidence for directional asymmetry in digit ratios. Therefore, our findings provide the first evidence that digit ratios are sexually dimorphic in any reptile species and are consistent with the idea that the genetic link between limb development and the urogenital system had been established with the evolution of the earliest terrestrial tetrapods. Importantly, many lizard species with genetic sex determination, including the ones we studied, are oviparous and may represent valuable animal models for experimental tests of the association between prenatal exposure to androgens or estrogens and digit ratios.

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The history of herpetological research in Aksu-Dzhabagly nature reserve area goes back to 1933. To the present time the list of the local herps contains 2 species of Amphibians and 12 Reptiles including 5 species of lizards and 7 snakes. The distributions, numbers and some features of ecology as well as biology are considered. For most of the species the maps of distribution are presented. Significance of protected area for every species is discussed.

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Spatial patterns of species diversity and range size along environmental gradients and their underlying mechanisms have long been controversial issues in biogeography and ecology. The species–area relationship, water-energy dynamic hypothesis and mid-domain effect were used here to explain the elevational patterns of amphibian and reptile species richness and their different faunal components in China’s Qinling Range using multivariate regression models and the variance partitioning algorithm. Our results showed unimodal patterns for the elevational distributions of amphibians, reptiles and their faunal components, but the peaks of the patterns differed among groups. The underlying mechanisms shaping the patterns revealed intensive interactions, while the independent explanatory strengths of the three proposed hypotheses (exclude reptile oriental realm) were relatively weak. The water-energy dynamic hypothesis was the most parsimonious explanation of the observed patterns. The majority of water-energy dynamic explanation belonged to interaction of three hypotheses. The interaction between mid-domain effect and water-energy dynamics was larger for amphibians and that between species–area relationship and water-energy dynamic hypothesis was larger for reptiles. The Steven’s and cross-species methods were used to examine whether species-specific elevational range sizes of amphibians, reptiles and their different faunal components are applicable to Rapoport’s rule. The results showed that reptile range sizes supported Rapoport’s rule at the various elevational gradients, while amphibian range sizes were difficult to support Rapoport’s rule.