×

Explaining the evolutionary origin and maintenance of color polymorphisms is a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Such polymorphisms are commonly thought to reflect the existence of alternative behavioral or life-history strategies under negative frequency-dependent selection. The European common wall lizard Podarcis muralis exhibits a striking ventral color polymorphism that has been intensely studied and is often assumed to reflect alternative reproductive strategies, similar to the iconic “rock–paper–scissors” system described in the North American lizard Uta stansburiana. However, available studies so far have ignored central aspects in the behavioral ecology of this species that are crucial to assess the existence of alternative reproductive strategies. Here, we try to fill this gap by studying the social behavior, space use, and reproductive performance of lizards showing different color morphs, both in a free-ranging population from the eastern Pyrenees and in ten experimental mesocosm enclosures. In the natural population, we found no differences between morphs in site fidelity, space use, or male–female spatial overlap. Likewise, color morph was irrelevant to sociosexual behavior, space use, and reproductive success within experimental enclosures. Our results contradict the commonly held hypothesis that P. muralis morphs reflect alternative behavioral strategies, and suggest that we should instead turn our attention to alternative functional explanations.

×

Our thesis aimedto recognize which intraerythrocytic blood parasites infect two species of Slovene lacertids, common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis),and Horvath`s rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi). We confirmed the identity of the parasites using molecular approaches by sequencing a part of the 18S rRNA gene. All observedparasiteindividuals belong to the genus Karyolysus, knownby parasitizing reptiles and lacertids specifically.Karyolysus is a genus of protozoan hamogreagrines.Further work included the analysis of prevalence and intensity of parasitic infection in both species of lizards. We compared prevalence and intensity between species, sexes, size, locations, altitudes,and whether the populations live in syntopy or alotopy. We confirmed that the prevalence and intensity of blood parasites were significantly higher in Horvath`s rock lizards. We also observed a higher prevalence of parasites in larger individuals, but this was found in only two locations. Contrary to expectations, we found in two localities that the intensity of parasites was lower in larger animals. The intensity was also higher in males. We did not confirm any differences in prevalence or intensity between syntopic and alotopic populations. We also did notobserve any differences related to altitude. Our results confirm an asymmetricparasitic prevalence and intensitybetween the two competing lizard species that may have a potential influence on theircompetitive relationshipand coexistence

×

The plastic capability of species to cope with the new conditions created by climate change is poorly understood. This is particularly relevant for organisms restricted to high elevations because they are adapted to cold temperatures and low oxygen availability. Therefore, evaluating trait plasticity of mountain specialists is fundamental to understand their vulnerability to environmental change. We transplanted mountain lizards, Iberolacerta cyreni, 800 m downhill to evaluate the plastic response in body condition, thermoregulation traits, haemoglobin level, and haemoparasite load. Initial measurements of body mass, total haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), hematic parasite intensities, dorsal luminance, and thermoregulatory behaviour were resampled after two and four weeks of acclimation. We also tested whether an anti-parasitic drug reduced haemoparasite intensity. After only two weeks of acclimation to a lower elevation, lizards decreased 42% in [Hb], had 17% less parasite intensities, increased body condition by 25%, and raised by ~3% their mean preferred temperatures and their voluntary thermal maximum. The anti-parasitic treatment had no significant effect on the intensity of hematic parasites, but our results suggest that negative effects of haemoparasites on [Hb] are relaxed at lower elevation. The rapid plastic changes observed in thermal preferences, body condition, [Hb], and parasite intensity of I. cyreni demonstrate a potential plastic response of a mountain specialist. This may be adaptive under the climatic extremes typical of mountain habitats. However, there is uncertainty in whether the observed plasticity can also help overcome long term environmental changes.

×

One way that maternal effects may benefit the offspring is by informing them about the characteristics of the environment. Through gestation, environmentally induced maternal effects might promote in the offspring-specific behavioral responses like dispersal or residence according to their new habitat characteristics. Females of the Carpetan rock lizard (Iberolacerta cyreni) seem to choose their home ranges using the smell of provitamin D3 in scent marks produced by males. Here, we supplemented gravid females of I. cyreni with dietary provitamin D3 or vitamin D3 to examine whether these food resources, also associated with the scent of males, affect the motivation to disperse and the locomotor performance of their offspring. Our results suggest that the supplementary availability of the resource (vitamin D3) to mothers may provoke condition-transfer maternal effects that motivate the residence or the dispersal of the offspring in their postnatal habitat. Thus, hatchlings of supplemented females had a lower dispersal trend in spite of having a greater climbing ability than hatchlings from nonsupplemented females. This suggests that the levels of provitamin D3 and vitamin D3 inside the body of the mother could act as an informative compound of the habitat quality for the offspring.

×

We report the observation of bipedal escape behavior of a Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata major) on the island of Krk. In a movie clip on YouTube, the reader can also view the behavior in slow motion.

×

In the first part of our travel report, we presented our reptile and amphibian finds in the Zagros Mountains. In the second part we report on our observations in the mountains of Tabriz, Zanjan, Manjil and Teheran between May 3rd and 7th, 2016.

×

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.

×

Brief presentation oft wo remarkably coloured male sand lizards from Niederhöchstadt in Rhineland-Palatinate.

×

Brief presentation of some stamps and baknotes on which Lacerta agilis is pictured.

×

In the example of two sand lizard males from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the development of the breeding time coloration between the end of the hibernation period and the first sloughing of the actual year is documented photographically.

×

In actual society, the lifestyle that is carried out is far from everything to which we were biologically adapted. This lifestyle negatively affects the people`s health, mainly promoting stress. The objective of stress is to promote the expression of behaviors or changes in the physiology of body organs and tissues to achieve the survival of an organism that is under threat, but currently it has been seen that it is a very frequent state in adult humans . It has been shown that, in humans, stress is associated with severe disturbances of the circadian rhythm causing sleep disorders such as insomnia. This project aims to study the activity-rest rhythm (Wake-Sleep) in animals subjected to a stressful environment. For this, a group of Wistar rats (nocturnal homeothermic mammal) and a group of lizards of the species Gallotia galloti (diurnal poikilothermic reptile), both located for the first time in a nearby recording chamber, will be used. This is intended to create a stressful predator-prey environment (both species can be one or the other). If it is confirmed that stress can make circadian rhythms disappear in the rat, and / or in the lizard, it will have been shown that these rhythms have a degree of flexibility unsuspected until now.

×

Arboreal behaviour in Podarcis bocagei inhabiting a coastal habitat in Northwestern Spain is reported in this note. Ornamental olive trees were selected as a refuge rather than as bask-ing areas.

×

The expansion of urban areas and the correspondinganthropic actions have caused species to change their morphology and behavior compared with the individuals of the same species that live in rural areas. These changes have been shown to occur in several species and are considered to be the result ofbehavioral plasticity or micro-evolutionary changes. The initialobjective of this study was to analyze if there were differences in morphology and behavior between two different populations of Gallotia galloti, living respectivelyin urban and rural areas of Tenerife. Morphological and behavioral characteristics could only be taken from individuals of a rural population (3 males and 6 females). The statistical analysis of data obtained showed significative differences between sexes in: Snout-vent length, (SVL),pileus width (PW), head height (HH), and length of the two forelimbs. However, there were non-significant differences between sexes in the selected behavioral parameters. In order to obtain a wider understanding of this subject, Ialso performed abibliographic review in lizards of several species. This revision revealed specific changes in morphological and behavioral parameters between individuals living in urbanized areas in comparison with those of natural habitats, as well as some potential explanation for them.

×

Field notes and vivarium observations on Philochortus zolii are given as contribution to the biology of this little-known genus of lacer-tids. These concern the activity rhythm, food preferences, weights and sizes and coloura-tion of the five captive specimens. The largest specimen had a maximum snout-vent length of 61 mm, a tail length of 190 mm and weighted 6.24 g. Unhappily no reproduction was recorded, which very well may have been caused by a lack of adult males. Possible ovi-position occurred in the vivarium in July 2009. The annual activity was lowest in November to February; in the warmer months the daily activity peaked with the start focused around 10-12 o`clock, in later years this shifted to 14-17 o`clock because of the position of the vi-varium when the lizards could profit from the sunshine coming from the south-west. The curious way the Philochortus walk with the dorsal side up on the gauze cover of their cage, is described and discussed, as is their locomotion in the vivarium.

×

Data relating to the Sandveld lizards (Nucras) occurring in Namibia, southwest Africa are reviewed. In particular, we investigated records of N. holubi, a chiefly southeastern African species, and attempted to identify recently collected material that could not be assigned to any species currently recognized in Namibia. A phylogenetic analysis of Nucras based on three mitochondrial markers revealed a deep divergence between Namibian Nucras holubi and two presumably conspecific clades from Limpopo Province, South Africa. In addition, the coloration pattern and scalation of the Namibian material differ from those of the eastern forms, supporting its recognition as a separate species. The name Nucras damarana Parker, 1936, long relegated to the synonymy of N. holubi, is here resurrected for this apparently endemic northern Namibian species. Nucras damarana is restricted to the Kunene, Omusati, Oshikati, Kavango, and Otjozondjupa regions of north-central Namibia. A distinctive specimen of Nucras from near Ruacana in the Kunene Region was identified as allied to Nucras broadleyi, a species recently described from southwestern Angola, on the basis of genetic data, although it differs substantially in color pattern. With the addition of N. aff. broadleyi and the resurrected N. damarana to its fauna, as well as the removal of N. holubi from the nation’s species list, four species of Nucras are confirmed to be present in Namibia. Although the conservation status of N. damarana, N. tessellata, and N. intertexta is Least Concern, the uncertain taxonomic status of N. aff. broadleyi precludes a meaningful threat assessment.

×

Parental provisioning and breeding success of Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) has been widely studied in some continental populations but not in their island-dwelling counterparts. We studied breeding success of kestrels nesting in natural rocky cavities in southern xerophytic scrub of the oceanic island of Tenerife during eight breeding seasons and its relationships with the endemic Gallot`s Lizard (Gallotia galloti). We examined lizard provisioning to assess some hypotheses regarding parental provisioning (e.g. central place foraging, parental investment and territory quality). Kestrels nesting in better quality territories (i.e. better habitats for lizards) advanced laying date and increased clutch and brood size at hatching. This did not result in higher number of fledglings. Lizard biomass provided to the chicks did not decrease with increasing nestling age and was correlated positively with the number of nestlings and chick age. These findings support the hypothesis of parental investment. On considering nestling-rearing period in three 10-day phases, we found significantly lower mean mass of lizards delivered in the first phase than in the other two phases together, with no differences between the last two phases. We suggest that kestrels respond to enhance breeding success and fitness keeping a stable number and quality of fledglings.

×

The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature has conserved the names Iberolacerta and Darevskia for two genera of lacertid lizards by confirming their availability from Arribas (1999). The microfiche publication (Arribas, 1997) is confirmed as unavailable and placed on the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Works in Zoological Nomenclature. The name Caucasilacerta Harris, Arnold & Thomas, 1998 is confirmed as a nomen nudum and placed on the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Generic Names in Zoology.

×

Recent climate change has caused the distributions of many species to shift poleward, yet few empirical studies have addressed which species will be vulnerable to longer-term climate changes. To investigate past consequences of climate change, we calculated the population extinction rates of 35 reptile species from 87 Greek land-bridge islands in the Mediterranean that occurred over the past 16,000 years. Population extinction rates were higher for those species that today have more northern distributions. We further found that northern species requiring cool, mesic habitats had less available suitable habitat among islands, implicating loss of suitable habitat in their elevated extinction rates. These extinctions occurred in the context of increasing habitat fragmentation, with islands shrinking and separating as sea levels rose. Thus, the circumstances faced by reptiles on the islands are similar to challenges for numerous species today that must cope with a changing climate while living in an increasingly human-fragmented landscape. Our island-biogeographical approach to investigating historical population extinctions gives insight into the long-term patterns of species responses to climate change.

×

Het Duitse Bonn ligt circa 100 kilometer ten oosten van Maastricht. Ondanks haar verleden als hoofdstad van de Bondsrepubliek Duitsland, is het een relatief kleine stad, gelegen aan de noordrand van het Midden-Rijndal. De Rijn wordt hier nog aan weerskanten gefl ankeerd door heuvels. Na Bonn stroomt hij de laagvlakte bij Keulen binnen, om van daaruit als Beneden-Rijn verder te stromen naar Nederland. Door deze geografi sche situatie is Bonn de noordgrens in de verspreiding van veel dier- en plantensoorten, die na de laatste ijstijd Centraal-Europa via de dalen van Rhône en Rijn hebben geherkoloniseerd. Een bekend herpetologisch voorbeeld hiervan is de muurhagedis (Podarcis muralis).

×

The residue of simazine herbicide in the environment is known as one of pollutant stress for lizards by crippling its fitness on direct toxic effects and indirect food shortage via the food chain effects. Both stressors were considered in our experiment in the simazine exposure and food availability to lizards (Eremias argus). The results revealed that starvation significantly reduced the lizard’s energy reserve and native immune function, while the accumulation of simazine in the liver was significantly increased. Simazine caused oxidative stress in the liver of lizards, but oxidative damage only occurred in the starved lizards. Simazine also changed the energy reserves, native immune function and detoxification of well-fed lizards, while the starved lizards showed different sensitivity to simazine. Simazine or starvation treatment independently activated the lizard HPA axis, but co-treatment caused the HPA axis inhibition. Besides, according to the variations on amino acid neurotransmitters, corticosterone hormone and thermoregulatory behavior, we inferred that lizards in threatens take the appropriate strategy on energy investment and allocation through neural, endocrine and behavioral pathways to maximize benefits in dilemma. Energy allocation was necessary, while suppression on any physiological process comes at a cost that is detrimental to long-term individual fitness.

×

Background: To better simulate and predict zoonotic disease outbreaks, data on arthropods acting aspathogen carriers and information on host-arthropod associations should be collected. Ticks are obligatehaematophagous ectoparasites of vertebrate animals, including humans, with a wide global distribution.To date, the species discrimination and phylogenetic relationships among the ticks on lizards in Chinaremain unclear. Methods: In this study, 31 ticks, collected from Eremias multiocellata lizards in four arid desert regions ofthe Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China, were identified by morphological observation and molecular techniques. The 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, and COI fragments of ticks were sequenced. As reference samples, 47 Chinese ticks from hedgehogs and one tick from brushwood were also included in this study. To infer the phylogenetic relationships among them, 32 12S rDNA, 77 16S rDNA, and 66 COI sequences of ticks retrieved from GenBank were also included. All samples were identified by phylogenetic analyses. Results: The Bayesian and network analysis results revealed that the 31 ticks from the lizards belong to three genera and three species: 11 were identified as Hyalomma asiaticum, three as Rhipicephalus turanicus, and 17 as Haemaphysalis sulcata. Conclusions: Our study is the first attempt to investigate ticks on lizards in the arid desert regions of Xinjiang, China. Notably, two species of ticks have been identi

×

Die Verbreitung von Lacerta viridis viridis ist das Ergebnis einer schnellen nacheiszeitlichen Ausbreitung mit nachfolgenden, die Verbreitung einschränkenden Geschehnissen, die zur Isolation der heutigen nördlichen Reliktpopulationen geführt haben. Die gegenwärtigen Schutzbestrebungen konzentrieren sich auf diese gefährdeten nördlichen isolierten Populationen. Das Verständnis der genetischen Diversität dieser Populationen ist eine Voraussetzung für Schutzmaßnahmen in jeder Form. Um derartige Daten zur Verfügung zu stellen, analysierten wir die mtDNS-Sequenzvariation von 57 L. v. viridis aus dem nördlichsten Bereich der Verbreitung dieser Unterart, einschließlich Vertretern von isolierten Reliktpopulationen in Brandenburg und Nord-Böhmen (Tschechische Republik). Wir stießen dabei auf eine positive Relation zwischen den genetischen Distanzen der mtDNS-Sequenzen und den geographischen Entfernungen, die gut mit dem Migrationsverhalten von L. v. viridis übereinstimmt. Weiterhin zeigen unsere Daten die große Bedeutung einer vergleichenden Analyse für das Abschätzen der genetischen Diversität von gefährdeten Taxa wie L. v. viridis auf.

×

Species are affected by many biotic and abiotic variables while distributed in the geographical areas on the earth. These factors constitute all the life-related needs of the species in their habitats and constitute the ecological barrier between the species. In this study, E. strauchi was recorded for the first time from Erzurum province and this record constitutes the westernmost locality of the species. Moreover, information on the bioclimatic factors in determining the distribution of the species in Turkey is given. This shows that E. strauchi has adapted to the terrestrial climate and prefers its habitat requirements accordingly.

×

The finding of a melanist meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola praticola) in the Stavropol Territory is discussed. Information on the clutch and offspring obtained from the female of this aberration is given.

×

The paper provides data on the current location of the type specimens of lacertid lizard’s taxa described by herpe- tologist Georgy F. Sukhov (1899–1942), as at July 1, 2020: Lacerta agilis tauridica Suchow, 1927 (lectotype [here designated] – ZISP No 12620, paralectotypes – ZISP No 3226, 3235, 3238, 3856, 10366в, 12230, 12231, 12520, 12619, 14110, NMNH No 2152 (14599–14600), 2163 (14621–14622), 2172 (14705–14712), 2184 (14772–14773), 2184 (14774–14777), 2188 (14872–14893), 2279 (15983–16037), 2279 (16038–16074), 2518 (16621)), Lacerta boemica Suchow, 1929 (lectotype [here designated] – ZISP No 30363, paralectotypes – ZISP No 16210, 30358- 30362, 30364-30398.1, NHM No 1960.1.4.26–30, 1965.337–342, NMNO no No), Apathya cappadocica urmiana Lantz et Suchow, 1934 (holotype – ZISP No 12657b, paratypes – ZISP No 11444, 12657a, c, 12658), Lacerta princeps kurdistanica Suchow, 1936 (holotype – ZISP No 11441.1, paratypes – ZISP No 11440, 11441.2–4, 11442, 11443). According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (4th edition), the name Lacerta agilis caucasica Suchow, 1927 should be considered as a junior primary homonym of Lacerta caucasica Méhely, 1909, and the designation of the neotype of L. a. tauridica by Kalyabina-Hauf et al. must be rejected. The history of de- scription of taxa as well as a list of Sukhov’s publications (12 articles published in 1927–1948) are given. Localities, collector’s names and dates of capture of the type specimens are clarified. Anderson and Šmíd et al. indicated that Eiselt restricted the type locality of L. princeps kurdistanica; this is not true.

×

Low‐elevation species can migrate toward higher elevations to survive in a warming world. However, animals’ responses to hypoxia when migrating to high elevations have rarely been addressed. To identify the response of low‐elevation lizards to high‐elevation hypoxia, we collected field body temperatures (Tfb) and operative temperatures (Te) of lizards (Eremias argus) from a low‐elevation population (1036 m) and a high‐elevation population (2036 m), and then determined adult thermal physiology, embryonic development, and hatchling phenotypes after acclimating low‐elevation lizards and incubating their eggs in conditions mimicking the low‐elevation oxygen condition (18.5% O2) and high‐elevation oxygen (hypoxic) condition (16.5% O2). Our study revealed that Tfb and Te were higher for the low‐elevation population compared to the high‐elevation population. We also found adults from low elevation acclimated to hypoxia preferred lower body temperatures, but did not show changes in locomotor performance or growth. In addition, hypoxia did not affect embryonic development (hatching time and success) or hatchling phenotypes (body size and locomotor performance). These results suggest that adult lizards from low elevations can respond to hypoxia‐induced stress when migrating to high elevations by behaviorally thermoregulating to lower body temperatures in order to sustain normal functions. Similarly, low‐elevation embryos can develop normally (with unchanged hatching success and offspring phenotypes) under the high‐elevation hypoxic condition. This study highlights that low‐elevation populations of a species that inhabits a range of elevations can buffer the impact of high‐elevation hypoxic conditions to some degree and thus attain similar fitness to the source population.

×

During a trip to Taiwan in May 2018, an Austrian team of herpoetologists recorded three different species of lizards in various habitats. While the mountain dweller Takydromus hsuehshanensis was found in gravel slopes and dump sites above 1.800 m, T. kuehnei was recorded in small clearings and forest margins in the transition zone between planes and hills. Finally T. viridipunctatus was found in gardens and parks in the North of the country near the coast.

×

Reptiles are especially vulnerable to climate warming because their behavior, physiology, and life history are highly dependent on environmental temperature. In this study, we envisaged new probable mechanisms underlying the high vulnerability of lizards, wherein heat exposure induces oxidative stress and leads to immunosuppression. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a warming experiment on a lizard (Eremias multiocellata) from a desert steppe in Inner Mongolia from May to September using open-top chambers set up in their natural habitat and compared the components of oxidative stress (antioxidant ability [Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity], extent of oxidative damage [malondialdehyde (MDA) content]), and immunocompetence (white blood cells [WBC] counts and immunoglobulin M [IgM] expression) between the warming and control groups. At the end of the experiment, the warming treatment did not affect the survival rate of the lizards. However, MDA content, but not SOD activity, was significantly higher in the warming group than in the control group. The WBC counts and IgM expression were significantly lower in the warming group than in the control group. Our results verified our hypothesis and provided novel cues and methods for the investigation of the mechanisms behind the high probability of extinction of other ectotherms under warming conditions.

×

The status of Eremias stummeri in China has been a matter of controversy for over two decades, although it is well acknowledged that this species occurs in Northeast Kyrgyzstan and Southeast Kazakhstan. To date, whether its occurrence extends to the adjacent Chinese region (possibly in the Ily River Valley) has not been confirmed yet. To overcome constraints on field surveys imposed by the region’s remoteness and rugged terrain, we targeted areas of further field inventories by estimating the potential distribution of the species. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) enabled us to predict a continuous distribution area from Kazakhstan to the Chinese part of the Ily River Valley in Zhaosu county for the species’ occurrence. We conducted extensive field surveys in the predicted area. In 2017, for the first time, the occurrence of E. stummeri in China was confirmed with a single find in Zhaosu county. Further morphological and multilocus phylogenetic analyses congruently supported the taxonomic status of the recently discovered population as E. stummeri. In contrast to its distribution continuity between Kazakhstan and China, the ENM indicates distribution discontinuity between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. This geographic distribution pattern of E. stummeri is supported by morphological and molecular evidence, which highlights that individuals from China and Kazakhstan are more closely related to each other than to those from Kyrgyzstan. The mismatch between mitochondrial and nuclear phylogeographic pattern implies that historical mitochondrial introgression occurred from E. stummeri individuals from Kyrgyzstan to those from Kazakhstan.

×

Anatolia is characterized by a complex topological structure and a wide diversity of climatic regions. This geological context has been crucial during the evolution of the rock lizard genus Darevskia, promoting the origin of several species within this group of lizards. Our study focuses on the evolutionary history of the rudis species complex, comprised by Darevskia rudis, D. valentini and D. portschinskii, distributed across Anatolia and the Caucasus, with overlapping ranges. Previous studies have suggested the existence of ancient gene flow between these taxa, which, allied with poor sampling, led to weakly resolved phylogenies and mismatching topologies. Here, we employ two mitochondrial (cytb and ND4) and two nuclear (MC1R and C‐mos) DNA fragments, coupled with ecological niche modelling and a significant representation of the species’ wide distribution range to further assess relationships. The specimens identified either as Darevskia rudis or as D. valentini appear as paraphyletic and substructured into four clades, which started to differentiate during the lower Pleistocene (around 1.3 Mya). We also differentiate genetically the recently described Darevskia bithynica and identify the Kizil River valley as a strong vicariant candidate to explain the origin of this species by allopatric speciation. Moreover, the eastern Black Sea Mountains seem to have played an important role as glacial refugium for several populations of D. rudis. Overall, the present study confirms the circum‐Black Sea as a potential Pleistocene refuge and supports the refugia‐within‐refugia hypothesis with the finding of several geographically coherent evolutionary units in the region.

×

Darevskia rostombekowi, the most outstanding of the seven known parthenogenetic species in the genus Darevskia, is the result of an ancestral cross between two bisexual species Darevskia raddei and Darevskia portschinskii. The chromosomal set of this species includes a unique submetacentric autosomal chromosome; the origin of this chromosome was unresolved as only acrocentric chromosomes are described in the karyotypes of Darevskia genus normally. Here, we applied a suite of molecular cytogenetic techniques, including the mapping of telomeric (TTAGGG) n repeats using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and whole-chromosome painting (WCP) in both D. rostombekowi and parental (D. portschinskii and D. raddei) species. The obtained results in total suggest that a de novo chromosomal rearrangement via Robertsonian translocation (centric fusion) between two maternal (D. raddei) acrocentric chromosomes of different size was involved in the formation of this unique submetacentric chromosome present in the parthenogenetic species D. rostombekowi. Our findings provide new data in specific and rapid evolutional processes of a unisexual reptile species karyotype.

×

We investigated age structure, age at sexual maturity, lifespan, growth and survival rate and adult life expectancy (as demographic life-history traits) as well as body size of two Darevskia derjugini (Artvin lizard) populations from different altitudes, using skeletochronology. Our findings indicated that age upon attaining sexual maturity was two or three years in the low-altitude population (Fındıklı) while it was three years in the high-altitude population (Murgul) for both sexes. The maximum longevity was seven years in the high-elevation site while it was six years in the low-elevation site. As reported for many lizards, we found a significant positive relationship between age and body size within each sex of Artvin lizard at both altitudes. High- and low-altitude populations did not differ in age structure, survival rates, adult life expectancy and body size. Rather than the effect of altitude, which is hard to compare without replication of other low and high altitude populations, the fact that these two populations have similar growth rates and the similarity of local conditions (food availability and predator density) may indicate similarity between the two regions.

×

Detailed investigations carried out on Darevskia rudis (Bedriaga, 1886) populations from Northeastern Anatolia, Turkey to identify sexual dimorphism. 11 morphometric and 30 meristic features of 317 specimens were analyzed. Seven meristic (Ventral width, Dorsals attached ventrals at mid-trunk, Femoral pores, Subdigital lamellae left, Tibial scales, Dorsalia). and four metric (Pileus length, Pileus width, Head length, Head width) characters were significant in sexual dimorphism pattern (p<0.05). Males have relatively longer head sizes, and related to this snout-vent length than females. Furthermore, it was found that the number of femoral pores are also higher in males than females because signaling compounds might be released in breeding seasons.

×

An integrated approach for constructing maps of suitable habitats and ecological niches of parthenogenetic and their parental species of the genus Darevskiain the Caucasus is presented. It is shown that this approach is a powerful tool for analyzing species-specific requirements of lizards for the habitat and differentiating their niches in the multidimensional space of predictor variables.

×

An essential part of foraging ecology is to understand the processes of detection, recognition and discriminationof prey, as well as the sensorial modalities involved. Often, predators do not rely on a single sensory system but on multipleinteracting senses. Specifically, lizards mainly use vision and vomerolfaction for prey pursuit. Here, we used an experimentalapproach to study how the Carpetan rock lizard,Iberolacerta cyreni, responds to different types of stimuli (chemical, visual,or both combined) from two prey species. The number of individuals approaching the prey and the number of attacks differedbetween treatments, however, we did not find differences in latency time, number of individuals attacking the prey or numberof tongue flicks. Our results suggested that visual cues combined with chemical stimuli enhanced detection of both preyspecies and that prey discrimination occurred posteriorly and independently of using any or both types of stimuli.

×

The Ocellated Lizard, Timon lepidus (Daudin 1802) occupies the Mediterranean regions of southwestern Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, and the extreme northwest of Italy). Over the last decades, a marked decline in its population has been observed, particularly on the northern edge of its distribution. As a result, it is currently considered a threatened species, especially in France and Italy. In France, a national action plan for its conservation has been put in place. In this study, ecological niche modelling (ENM) was carried out over the entire area of France in order to evaluate the species’ potential distribution, more accurately defne its ecological niche, guide future surveys, and inform land use planning so this species can be better taken into consideration. The modelling used data representing 2,757 observation points spread over the known range of the species, and 34 ecogeographical variables (climate, topography, and vegetation cover) were evaluated. After removing correlated variables, models were ftted with several combinations of variables using eight species distribution model (SDM) algorithms, and then their performance was assessed using three model accuracy metrics. Iterative trials changing the input variables were used to obtain the best model. The optimized model included nine determining variables. The results indicate the presence of this species is linked primarily to three climate variables: precipitation in the driest month, precipitation seasonality, and mean temperature in the driest quarter. The model was checked by a sample dataset that was not used to ft the model, and this validation dataset represented 25% of the overall feld observations. Of the known occurrence locations kept aside to check the results, 94% fell within the presence area predicted by the modelled map with a presence probability greater than 0.7, and 90% fell within the area with a presence probability ranging from 0.8 to 1, which represents a very high predictive value. These results indicate that the models closely matched the observed distribution, suggesting a low impact of either geographical factors (barriers to dispersal), historical factors (dispersal process), or ecological factors (e.g., competition, trophic resources). The overlap between the predicted distribution and protected areas for this species reveals that less than 1% of the potential distribution area is protected by strong regulatory measures (e.g., national parks and natural reserves). The knowledge obtained in this study allows us to recommend some guidelines that would favor the conservation of this species.

×

Darevskia rudis (Bedriaga, 1886) and D. bithynica (Méhely, 1909) are morphologically different species, but they are phyloge-netically same species in the D. rudis complex. These species are distributed in northern of Turkey. In the present study, we have evaluated taxonomic status of D. rudis and D. bithynica using ecological niche differentiation. All occurrence data of these species were used to predict and evaluate the suitable areas where they may be expected to be found in Turkey. In order tocompare their ecological niches and explain ecological differentiation, niche similarity tests (niche identity and background tests)and point-based analyses were performed. According to results of ecological niche modeling, we found niche differentiation between D. rudis and D bithynica. Ecological niches for the two species differentiated along environmental variables, asprecipitation of driest quarter for the two species were most important in determining habitat suitability. This factor is importantin niche differentiation between the two species. Finally, our results confirmed the niche differentiation between D. rudis and D. bithynica and added new insights into the taxonomic distinction between D. rudis and D. bithynica that they are two species.

×

Background: The hybridization of female D. raddei and male D. valentini gave rise to the parthenogenetic Caucasian rock lizard Darevskia unisexualis. A previously identified genetic polymorphism in the species consisted of one common and two allozyme clones. Analysis of microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the three species yields estimates of clonal diversity and tests the hypothesis of a single origin for D. unisexualis. Results: Genotyping and sequencing of four microsatellite-containing loci for 109 specimens of D. unisexualis, 17 D. valentini, and 45 D. raddei nairensis identified 12 presumptive clones, including one widespread and 11 rare clones. Most individuals in some localities had a rare clone. Clone-specific alleles in D. unisexualis were compared with those of the parental species. The results inferred a single hybridization event. Post-formation mutations best explain the less common clones. Conclusions: Interspecific analyses identify alleles inherited by D. unisexualis from its bisexual ancestors. SNP analyses fail to reject the hypothesis of a single interspecific origin of D. unisexualis, followed by microsatellite mutations in this initial clone. Microsatellites detect higher clonal diversity in D. unisexualis compared to allozymes and identify the likely origins of clones. Our approach may be applicable to other unisexual species whose origins involve interspecific hybridization.

×

The data on the karyotype of the viviparous lizard, Zootoca vivipara (Lichtenstein 1823), from six early un studied geographical localities of northeastern Europe (Kaliningrad oblast, western Russia) are presented. Asa result, two different chromosomal forms of the nominative subspecies were found: Russian (southeasternKaliningrad oblast) and western (northwestern, central, southern, and southeastern Kaliningrad oblast). TheRussian form is with 2n = 35 in the female karyotype, where W sex chromosome is acrocentric (A) and thewestern form with 2n = 35 in the female karyotype, where the W sex chromosome is submetacentric (SV).The former form was first found in one locality from the southeastern part of the oblast, near the border be tween Russia–Poland–Lithuania. This form is a rare one and, according to the chromosomal data, it colo nizes the region from northeastern Poland and western Belarus, whereas the latter is presented in many partsof Kaliningrad oblast and colonizes this territory from other regions of Poland and Germany. Unlike centralEurope, their mosaic distribution was not observed. However, two new zones (I – central eastern zone andII – narrow southeastern zone) of a secondary contact between these forms in northeastern Europe were dis covered. The intraspecies karyotype diversity and several new zones of the secondary contact between the de scribed forms may be assumed on the territory of different countries in the Baltic region (Germany, Poland,Lithuania, Latvia), as well as in Scandinavia (Finland, Sweden and Norway).

×

Studies on the sex-age structure in a population of the multi-colored lizard (Eremias arguta deserti Gmelin1788) was carried out at the level of the elementary intra population group. Research area: sandy semi-desertsnear the village Dosang, Astrakhan Region. The groups’ definition was based on observations of the behavior,the published information about the species’ sex-age structure, confirmed by autopsy, and a statistical anal-ysis. The data obtained show the presence of five sex-age groups in the Spring population: immature individ-uals, half-adult males and females, and 2-year old mature males and females. In addition, according to theirsize, there were animals possibly older than 2 years, but they were singular. The September population of themulti-colored lizard was likewise divided into five age groups: juveniles, half-adult individuals of both sexes,and a small number of 1-year old mature individuals of both sexes. The Autumn intra-population group wasnot numerous, because by that time most of the adult animals had gone for hibernation. In Spring, the groupof semi-adult lizards was 7.2 times smaller than that of adults. In Autumn, the number of juveniles was2.1 times higher than in adults. In Spring, the sex ratio among the adult animals was close to 1 : 1, amongsemi-adults the females predominated numerically, while both in Spring and Autumn the females prevailedamongst the half-adults.

×

The Smooth Snake, Coronella austriaca, is an ambush predator that waits for its main prey, the Wall Lizard, Podarcis muralis, inside dark rock crevices where lizards retreat. Pheromonal secretions of lizards could be used by snakes to select foraging sites but also during predatory episodes when identifying lizards under conditions of low visibility is beneficial. We used cotton applicators labeled with lizard scent to determine whether Smooth Snakes can discriminate the chemical cues ofWall Lizards.We also asked whether snakes could discriminate between male and female lizards, or detect male scents before female ones, which could indicate differential susceptibility of the sexes to predation. The greater tongue-flick rate in response to Wall Lizard scent than to deionized water or cologne indicated that C. austriaca is able to discriminate the chemical cues of Wall Lizards, but it did not discriminate between the sexes of lizard prey.

×

The study presents data on the food composition of the Unisexual Lizard, Darevskia unisexualis (Darevsky, 1966), from Hanak, Ardahan, Turkey. A total of 172 preys were determined in the digestive systems of 44 individuals examined in the study. Insecta, Aranea, Malacostraca, and Gastropoda constitute food composition of lizards. Major prey groups in the food composition are included in Hymenoptera (46.5%), Coleoptera (13.4%), Diptera (8.1%), Lepidoptera (7.6%), Orthoptera (7%) and Hemiptera (7%) in number, whereas Hymenoptera (70%), Lepidoptera (25%), Coleoptera (23%), and Diptera (20%) in frequency. Our result confirm that the Unisexual Lizard is an insectivorous and active predator and generally feed with poor flying or non-flying invertebrates.

×

Lizard species may differ in their ecophysiology due to adaptation, plasticity and/or phylogeny. In restrictive environments, ecophysiological differences of species living in sympatry are expected to reveal long-term evolutionary responses to the abiotic environment while competitive interactions should be limited. These influences can be disentangled by combining field monitoring with experimental tests. Here, three lacertid lizard species, Atlantolacerta andreanskyi, Scelarcis perspicillata and Podarcis vaucheri sharing high mountain habitats in Oukaimeden (High Atlas, Morocco), were studied. In the field, spatiotemporal variation of the thermal and hydric environment used by the lizards was monitored using data-loggers. In the lab, thermal and hydric ecophysiology was estimated through assessments of preferred temperatures (Tp) and water loss (WL) rates. Species differed in microhabitat use and, hence, in their exposure to variations in temperature and humidity. However, they only differed in their WL (A. andreanskyi>S. perspicillata>P. vaucheri) while their Tp were similar. Such partial differences of species in in the fundamental niche, likely derived from their long-term independent phylogenetic trajectories, can be used to predict their responses to climate and habitat shifts in this and other parts of their respective ranges. Results also confirm previous suggestions that, together with thermal physiology, hydric physiology plays a prominent role in the organisation of lizard communities in the temperate region.

×

Archeological sites usually provide important information about the past distribution of small vertebrate fauna, and by extension about past terrestrial environments and climate in which human activities took place. In this context, Belgium has an interesting location in northwestern Europe between the fully studied zooarcheological records of Germany and England. We present here the revision of the late Pleistocene (Marine Isotope Stages 3 and 2) collection of the “Caverne Marie-Jeanne” (Hastière-Lavaux, Namur), studied by Jean-Claude Rage in the 1970s and the revision of the whole “indeterminate” small vertebrate materials from the “Caverne Marie-Jeanne” stored in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) Quaternary collections in search of more herpetofaunal remains. It is now by far the largest late Pleistocene collection at RBINS with more than 20,500 recognized bones of amphibians and reptiles and covering the last 60,000 years. The faunal list comprises two urodeles (Lissotriton gr. L. vulgaris and Salamandra salamandra), four anurans (Bufo gr. B. bufo-spinosus, Epidalea calamita, Rana temporaria and Rana cf. R. arvalis), three lizards (Lacerta cf. L. agilis, Zootoca vivipara and Anguis gr. A. fragilis), and three snakes (Natrix gr. N. natrix, Coronella austriaca, and Vipera berus). This study represents the first fossil record in Belgium for L. gr. L. vulgaris, R. arvalis, Z. vivipara, N. gr. N. natrix and C. austriaca. As a whole, this assemblage suggests a patchy humid landscape under colder and dryer climatic conditions in comparison with present ones. This study also underlines the necessity of a primary separation in larger taxonomical categories by the specialist itself.

×

Reproductive mode data were extracted piecemeal from the literature and superimposed over currently accepted phylogenies to permit estimation of the minimum frequencies with which viviparity (live-bearing) has evolved in lizards, aswell as to facilitateanalysisoffactors hypothesizedto inlluencethis evolution. Viviparity has arisen on at least 45 separate occasions in the Sauria. Each ofthese origins is pinpointed phylogeneticallyas far as is now possible. Ofthese origins, 22 have occurred in the Scincidae, ten in the Iguanidae, five in the Anguidae, two each in the Lacertidae and Gekkonidae, and one each in the Chamaeleontidae, Xantusiidae, Agamidae, and Cordylidae. Further origins may be detected in the Scincidae, Iguanidae, and Diploglossa as phylogenetic relationships are elucidated. Over 19 % of the saurian species are live-bearing, and about 2/3 of the viviparous species are skinks. Most of the sub-generic saurian origins ofviviparity have occurred in cold climates, possibly as an adaptation to facilitate maternal thermoregulation of the developing embryos. Phylogenetic distributions of these origins are consistent with hypotheses that genetic sex-determination of the male-heterogametic type as weil as a tendency towards egg`retention preadapt a lineage for viviparity. Evolution of the live-bearing mode may be constrained by temperature-dependent sex determination, female heterogamety, and formation of highly calcified eggshells.

×

Three different lizard species can be found at the great pasture of Hajúbagos. These are the balkan or crimean wall lizard (Podarcis taurica), the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) and the green lizard (Lacerta viridis). All of them are protected by law in Hungary but while sand lizard and green lizard is common all over the country, the amount of the balkan wall lizard is decreasing. The main cause of this regrettable possession is the habitat degradation and thus habitat loss. Namely balkan wall lizard not only prefers but suffers open sand grasslands and these kinds of habitats are disappearing in Hungary. Due to the fact that the extensive animal grazing lost its importance, open sand pastures started to change, succession can be realized. Thus grass closing constantly what is favourable for sand lizard and green lizard. Furthermore sand lizard and balkan wall lizard share roughly the same foodsource and moreover green lizard could possibly pass into a predator of balkan wall lizard juveniles also. Therefore sand lizard and green lizard became competitors (or predators) of balkan wall lizard and the proportion of the three species compared to each other is changing. My aim is to examine the vegetation change and simultaneously monitor the amount of the mentioned three lizard species. After all I would like to make a well established proposal on the management of protected grasslands.

×

A small but growing population of the Dalmatian Algyroides (Algyroides nigropunctatus) was found in a suburb of Athens (Greece), a long way from the species` known range. This apparently introduced population increases the number of new lizard species documented in the Athens metropolitan area during the past few years.

×

Foraging diurnal lizards are well known for their use of visual and chemical cues to detect prey. We already showed that the Balearic lizard is able to detect prey using visual and chemical cues, even from airborne odors. In this study we carried out a field experiment to test if lizards can detect prey using acoustic cues. Our results show that Podarcis lilfordi is able to detect flies trapped inside opaque cups, only using acoustic cues. To ourknowledge, this is the first known case of phonotaxis of a diurnal lizard. Thus, P. lilfordi can detect, from far away, current pollinators trapped inside floral chambers of the dead horse arum, Helicodiceros muscivorus. This is another behavioral trait displayed by the Balearic lizard during its complex interaction with the dead horse arum.

×

Reproductive characters often vary geographically within species. This has led to the suggestion that traits related to reproduction evolve rapidly and that sexual selection is an important cause of diversification. Using the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis, this thesis explores the consequences of interactions between reproductive characters and sexual selection in two environmental contexts: (i) following secondary contact between lineages that differ in secondary sexual characters, and (ii) following introduction to a cooler and more seasonal nonnative environment. To address this, I adopted an integrated approach, combining information on associations between reproductive characters, social behaviour, and reproductive success in an experimental setting with extensive documentation of phenotypic variation across native and non-native populations. Common wall lizards occupy a wide geographic range, spanning from western Spain to Turkey. Their phylogeographic structure is complex and composed of several genetically and phenotypically distinct lineages. In the first part of this thesis I examined how divergence in male sexual characters between two lineages – the Italian lineage, where males have highly exaggerated sexual traits, and the Western European lineage, where sexual traits in males are less expressed – mediates sexual selection and ultimately patterns of hybridization and introgression following secondary contact. Specifically, I combined an investigation of behavioural interactions and patterns of paternity in experimentally replicated mixed-lineage populations with genetic and phenotypic data from three independent zones of secondary contact. Experimentally, I show that Italian males have a significant advantage over Western European males in competition for females, leading to overall greater courtship and mating success, and consequently, asymmetric hybridization. Patterns of genetic and phenotypic introgression following secondary contact mirrored this directionality. Nuclear microsatellite markers revealed a westwards shift in the position of the hybrid cline compared to mitochondrial markers. Furthermore, clines in male visual sexual characters were shifted even further westwards into the Western European lineage, indicative of the rapid and adaptive displacement of Western European male sexual phenotypes. Combined with a lack of evidence for negative effects on hybrid offspring survival and their reproductive characters, these results demonstrate an important role for pre-copulatory sexual selection through male-male competition in shaping the genetic and phenotypic consequences of secondary contact. I then examined the consistency of these effects across different communication channels, specifically comparing the above results for visual characters with chemical characteristics of male femoral secretions used as scent marks. Despite chemical communication being considered an important feature of lizard reproductive behaviour, I find little evidence for a role of divergence between the lineages in chemical characters in hybridization or sexually selected introgression. In contrast to the extensive introgression of the visual characteristics of the Italian lineage into the Western European lineage, patterns of introgression in chemical profiles resembled that of nuclear microsatellite markers, implying that genetic divergence in chemical characters is selectively neutral. These results highlight the potentially differing functions for visual and chemical communication channels in lizards. Chemical characters in wall lizards may function primarily as an individual-based recognition system. In the second part of this thesis I examined divergence in female and male reproductive characters in response to a different climatic selection regime. Wall lizards that have been recently introduced into England (outside of their native distribution) experience a cooler, more seasonal climate that effectively restricts offspring recruitment to the first clutch of the season. This should exert strong directional selection on the reproductive investment of both females and males. Consistent with an adaptive response to climate, I show that non-native females in England produce relatively larger and heavier first seasonal clutches and smaller and lighter second seasonal clutches compared to native females. Despite non-native male fitness also depending almost entirely on the first clutch of the season, examination of male behaviour, dominance hierarchies, and phenotypic associations with mating and fertilization success in experimental populations revealed that non-native males do not alter their sexual strategies and compete aggressively to fertilize the second clutches from non-native females. These results highlight the potential for sex-specific limitations on rapid adaptive shifts in reproductive characters when male behaviour has been shaped by sexual selection regimes in past environments. Combined, this thesis provides evidence of the potential ways in which sexual selection may shape the evolutionary and ecological trajectory of populations across different environmental contexts.

×

Les amphibiens et les reptiles insectivores comme les lézards constituent une part importante dans le fonctionnement des écosystèmes arides en leur qualité de lien entre les prédateurs vertébrés et la proie invertébrée. les lézards du genre Acanthodactylus est celui qui caractérise le mieux les populations de lézards du paléarctiques occidental et sahélien. Les travaux réalisés sur l’herpetofaune, montre l’intérêt que porte l’espèce Acanthodactylus scutellatus sur le plan écologique, taxonomique et évolutif car elle joue un rôle important dans l’équilibre des écosystèmes désertiques. A fin de connaitre l’écologie de cette espèce on c’est basée sur l’étude du comportement alimentaire qui est chez les ectotherme un paramètre crucial dont dépend certaines performances et activités comme la reproduction.

×

The phylogenetic relationships among the wall lizards of the Podarcis hispanicus complex that inhabit the south-east (SE) of the Iberian Peninsula and other lineages of the complex remain unclear. In this study, four mitochondrial and two nuclear mark-ers were used to study genetic relationships within this complex. The phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA gene trees constructed with ML and BI, and a species tree using *BEAST support three divergent clades in this region: the Valencia, Galera and Albacete/Murcia lineages. These three lineages were also corroborated in spe-cies delimitation analyses based on mtDNA using bPTP, mPTP, GMYC, ABGD and BAPS. Bayesian inference species delimitation method (BPP) based on both nuclear data and a combined data set (mtDNA + nuclear) showed high posterior probabilities for these three SE lineages (≥0.94) and another Bayesian analysis (STACEY) based on combined data set recovered the same three groups in this region. Divergence time dating of the species tree provided an estimated divergence of the Galera line-age from the other SE group (Podarcis vaucheri, (Albacete/Murcia, Valencia)) at 12.48 Ma. During this period, the Betic–Rifian arc was isolated, which could have caused the isolation of the Galera form distributed to the south of the Betic Corridor. Although lizards from the Albacete/Murcia and Galera lineage are morphologically similar, they clearly represent distinct genetic lineages. The noteworthy separation of the Galera lineage enables us to conclude that this lineage must be considered as a new full species.

×

1. During incubation, rigid-shelled eggs of Gekko japonicus declined in both wet mass and dry mass, and pliable-shelled eggs of Takydromus septentrionalis increased in wet mass but decreased in dry mass. 2. Rapid increase of percentage of lipids in developing eggs occurred during the early period of vitellogenesis, percentage of lipids in medium and large sized follicles of both species remained approximately constant. Caloric value was correlated with lipid content and for ash, uncorrected caloric value was correlated with ash content. 3. Total ash present in developing eggs increased as the eggs developed. Embryos of both species did not rely exclusively on ash supplied in their yolks, and withdrew ash from their eggshelis.

×

Dieser Beitrag ist der erste Teil einer Serie über die Herpetofauna der Kanarischen Inseln, in dem es zunächst auf die Lage, das Alter und die Entstehung des Archipels eingegangen wird. Bemerkungen zur Topographie, zum Klima und zur Vegetation geben Hinweise auf die Umweltbedingungen für die hier lebenden Amphibien und Reptilia. Herkunft und gegenwärtige Situation der endemischen Arten werden diskutiert, und es folgen Bemerkungen zu den nur fossil bekannten Arten Testudo burchardi, Gallotia goliath und G. maxima: Folgende Arten wurden auf den Inseln eingeschleppt: Hyla meridionalis, Rana perezi, Chamaeleo chamaeleon, Hemidactylus turcicus und Tarentola mauritanica. Den Abschluß dieses Beitrages bildet ein Schlüssel zum Bestimmen aller gegenwärtig von den Kanarischen Inseln bekannten Arten und Unterarten.

×

Metrics detailsLizards increasingly are recognized as suitable contaminant biomonitors in terrestrial ecosystems. Previously, we have shown that Bosk’s fringe-toed lizards (Acanthodactylus boskianus) living close to the Gabès-Ghannouche industrial complex for fertilizer and acid production in southern Tunisia were contaminated by heavy metals. However, the impact of this contamination on lizard health parameters has not been investigated. In this study, we used the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin-swelling test to assess whether the proximity to the industrial complex was associated with notable changes in lizard cell-mediated immune response (CMI). Our results showed significantly lower CMI in lizards living close to the industrial complex compared to those occurring farther away in a similar coastal habitat. Overall, our findings are consistent with the idea of immunotoxic effects of metal contamination. They also stress the usefulness of the PHA approach as an efficient tool for the evaluation of contaminant-related immunosuppression in lizards.

×

The spatial niches and habitat preferences of six sympatric lizard species were studied in two model ter-ritories in western Bulgaria. The highest level of species diversity (based on two indices, Simpson and Shannon) was reported in the ecotone between oak forests and meadows. The spatial niche breadth was wider in the wall lizard Podarcis muralis and the eastern green lizard Lacerta viridis, while other species showed more restricted preferences to a particular habitat type. To our knowledge, this is the first purpose-ful research on the habitat preferences of lizard species of the Balkans, based on quantitative data. The results in the present work could be used in further and more detailed analyses.

×

In many animals, chemosensation acts as a first line of defence against snake predators. However, in spite of their obvious importance, the chemical nature of cues used by prey to detect snakes remains to be discovered. Here, we analyse which neutral lipids, extracted with n-hexane, are present in the skin of the European adder (Vipera berus) using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry. The analyses revealed that the washes held a complex cocktail of chemical compounds, with a total of 165 different molecules, mostly steroids (82% of the total ion current) and alkanes (13%), and smaller amounts of carboxylic acids, wax esters, ketones, amides and alcohols. Using bio-assays in which we confronted individuals of a prey species (the European common lizard, Zootoca vivipara) with these washes, we were able to confirm that the kairomones can be extracted using n-hexane. In fact, lizards did not respond to chemical cues still present in adder skin after washing, indicating that the kairomones are indeed strongly n-hexane soluble. Consequently, we have set a next step in deciphering the chemical nature of the predator-prey interaction between the European adder and the European common lizard. We hope our results facilitate further investigation into the chemical ecology of snakes and their prey.

×

Regulation of body temperature is crucial for optimizing physiological performance in ectotherms but imposes constraints in time and energy. Time and energy spent thermoregulating can be reduced through behavioral (e.g., basking adjustments) or biophysical (e.g., heating rate physiology) means. In a heterogeneous environment, we expect thermoregulation costs to vary according to local, climatic conditions and therefore to drive the evolution of both behavioral and biophysical thermoregulation. To date, there are limited data showing that thermal physiological adjustments have a direct relationship to climatic conditions. In this study, we explored the effect of environmental conditions on heating rates in the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara). We sampled lizards from 10 populations in the Massif Central Mountain range of France and measured whether differences in heating rates of individuals correlated with phenotypic traits (i.e., body condition and dorsal darkness) or abiotic factors (temperature and rainfall). Our results show that heat gain is faster for lizards with a higher body condition, but also for individuals from habitats with higher amount of precipitation. Altogether, they demonstrate that environmentally induced constraints can shape biophysical aspects of thermoregulation.