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Different factors and processes that produce phenotypic variation at the individual, population, or interspecific level can influence or alter the covariance structure among morphological traits. Therefore, studies of the patterns of integration and modularity at multiple levels—static, ontogenetic, and evolutionary, can provide invaluable data on underlying factors and processes that structured morphological variation, directed, or constrained evolutionary changes. Our dataset, consisting of cranium shape data for 14 lizard species from the family Lacertidae, with substantial samples of hatchlings and adults along with their inferred evolutionary relationships, enabled us to assess modularity and morphological integration at all three levels. Five, not mutually exclusive modularity hypotheses of lizard cranium, were tested, and the effects of allometry on intensity and the pattern of integration and modularity were estimated. We used geometric morphometrics to extract symmetric and asymmetric, as well as allometric and nonallometric, components of shape variation. At the static level, firm confirmation of cranial modularity was found for hypotheses which separate anterior and posterior functional compartments of the skull. At the ontogenetic level, two alternative hypotheses (the “anteroposterior” and “neurodermatocranial” hypotheses) of ventral cranial modularity were confirmed. At the evolutionary level, the “neurodermatocranial” hypothesis was confirmed for the ventral cranium, which is in accordance with the pattern observed at the ontogenetic level. The observed pattern of static modularity could be driven by functional demands and can be regarded as adaptive. Ontogenetic modularity and evolutionary modularity show the same developmental origin, indicating conservatism of modularity patterns driven by developmental constraints.

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This thesis comprises part of a wider project that addresses the evolution of Mediterranean lizards of the genus Podarcis (Wagler, 1830), and is mainly focused on insular populations. This genus is widespread across the Mediterranean basin. They exhibit a great intraspecific variability in morphological traits. In particular, melanic and non-melanic populations (which are completely green or brown, and/or with intermediate coloration) are found on different islands. The causes for this variability remain unknown. The Podarcis genus contains various insular endemism such as Podarcis tiliguerta from Corsica and Sardinia islands, and P. lilfordi and P. pityusensis from the Balearic archipelago. The Mediterranean basin is considered a biodiversity hotspot due to the presence of an exceptional number of endemic species and Podarcis provides an important component of this biodiversity. It can provide information on the effects of fragmentation and/or degradation of habitat. Analyses of Podarcis also have important implications for conservation of the group itself: understanding the evolutionary framework provides a basis for future conservation actions. The present thesis is focused on the molecular study of the evolution of several Mediterranean Podarcis. It aims to build on and extend previous studies that made evolutionary inferences from just the mitochondrial DNA. This is achieved by analysing several nuclear markers (MC1R, RAG1, APOBE28, BLC9L, KIAA2018 and KIF24) in combination with mtDNA data. The main aim is to address two important evolutionary questions: i) Factors determining melanism in insular populations P. lilfordi and P. pityusensis present an important colour variation and polymorphism in the MC1R gene has been related to pigmentation in other species. Therefore, the relationship between DNA substitutions and melanism in different populations was studied. We did not detect any differences in the MC1R sequence that we analysed and so this sequence does not appear to be the basis of the colour variation in these Balearic Podarcis. Differences in gene expression were also compared between melanic and nonmelanic individuals, but no differences that were directly related to MC1R expression were detected. Nevertheless, the transcriptome profiles of melanic and non-melanic individuals from two populations of P. lilfordi did show some differences. The main differences found between the two groups were: non-melanic samples showed overexpression of stress-response genes, while melanic individuals had higher metabolic rates and an increased inflammatory response to exogenous antigens. Despite finding differences in expression, our study was unable to reveal major insights into the genetic basis of melanism in these island lizards. ii) Phylogeny and phylogeography of different endemic species. This work contributes important findings relevant to the systematics and evolution of the species P. tiliguerta endemic to Corsica and Sardina. Using Bayesian phylogenetic dating, we determined that this species originated ~11 Ma ago. Both markers (nuclear genes and mtDNA) showed a high level of intraspecific divergence, especially between Corsica and Sardinia. Ancient divergence (which was estimated at 9.5 Ma ago) and associated high levels of between-island lineage sorting in nuclear markers support the view that Corsican and Sardinian populations should be recognized as two different species. Podarcis were also studied from the Columbretes archipelago, a small island group off the coast east of Spain. Populations were previously recognized as a subspecies of P. hispanica or as P. atrata species. However, the suitability of this taxonomic designation has been made unclear by recent systematics studies of Podarcis that have led to major taxonomic changes. We used nuclear and mitochondrial genes to define their phylogenetic relationships. Columbretes populations were found to be most closely related to the new taxon P. liolepis.

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The available range of habitats and suitable abiotic conditions like temperature and radiation tends to be narrower toward the periphery of the distribution range of species. Peripheral populations of generalist species could then be more specialized and have a smaller and differentiated realized niche (habitat niche in our study) compared to populations at the core. Likewise, patterns of microhabitat selection can differ between periphery and core. In our study, we compared niche size and microhabitat selection among core (Bulgaria) and northern peripheral (Germany, Czech Republic) populations of Lacerta viridis and estimated niche differentiation among regions. We collected data on vegetation structure and abiotic parameters at the microhabitat scale in each region. In order to compare niche size among regions and estimate niche differentiation, we built multidimensional niche hypervolumes. We applied generalized linear mixed models and model averaging, accounting for spatial autocorrelation when necessary, to analyze microhabitat differences among regions and microhabitat selection in each region. Peripheral populations were more specialized, having a smaller niche than core ones, and their niche differed from that in the core (Sørensen overlap in all comparisons <0.3). Microhabitats at the periphery had lower radiation and soil compaction and less structured vegetation. Microhabitat selection at the core depended solely on abiotic parameters, while at the periphery it was defined by only vegetation structure (Czech Republic) or a combination of both, vegetation structure, and abiotic factors (Germany). Thus, peripheral populations seem to compensate for overall harsher climatic conditions by responding to different parameters of the microhabitat compared to core populations. We suggest specific conservation measures for L. virids in each studied region and point out the general implications of a higher specialization degree of peripheral populations in relation to climate change and habitat fragmentation.

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Background and Aims Oceanic island ecosystems favor the appearance of novel interactions as a consequence of their depauperate and disharmonic flora and fauna. Echium simplex, endemic to the Anaga Biosphere Reserve in NE Tenerife, Canary Islands, belongs to the Canarian bird–flower element. Methods Along two flowering seasons, we studied its breeding system, identified the floral visitors, and compared the pollination effectiveness of different animal guilds (insects vs. vertebrates) by means of selective exclosures. Key Results The plant showed to be self‐compatible but selfing significantly reduced fruit set. The flowers were visited by five bird species (mostly Phylloscopus canariensis and Serinus canarius, but also Cyanistes teneriffae, Sylvia atricapilla and Sylvia melanocephala), a lizard species (Gallotia galloti), and over a hundred insect species (mainly hymenopterans and coleopterans). Flying insects increased fruit set whereas small flower dwellers (mostly beetles) decreased both fruit and seed set; by contrast, vertebrates had a negligible effect on reproductive success. Conclusions We conclude that despite the floral resources provided by E. simplex may be important to some vertebrate species, these do not appear to notably contribute to increase the fitness of the plant, which show to be more dependent upon flying insects to set fruits and seeds. We additionally found that plant reproductive structures are heavily damaged by feral goats, which threaten the maintenance of this Canarian endemic species.

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Jackson’s Forest Lizard (Adolfus jacksoni) is widespread throughout the highlands of the Albertine Rift, southern Uganda, western and central Kenya, and northern Tanzania. To understand the population genetics and phylogenetic relationships of this widespread taxon, we sequenced two mitochondrial (16S and cyt b) and two nuclear (c-mos and RAG1) genes from multiple populations. Population genetics analyses suggested a high degree of genetic differentiation among A. jacksoni populations, reflecting the high-elevation montane ‘‘islands’’ that they inhabit. Populations connected by a network of mountain ranges generally showed lower levels of genetic partitioning than those isolated by lowelevation habitat. Results from phylogenetic analyses and additional morphological data indicated that Adolfus jacksoni occurs throughout the Albertine Rift, likely from the Kabobo Plateau to the Lendu Plateau of Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as southern Uganda, Mt. Elgon, and the highlands of western Kenya on the western side of the Kenyan Rift. Adolfus kibonotensis is removed from the synonymy of the latter taxon, elevated to full species, and recognized from the central Kenyan highlands to northern Tanzania on the eastern side of the Kenyan Rift. A new Adolfus species is described from the Mathews Range in central Kenya.

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Histochemical identification of lipids was performed on frozen sections of ovary and liver throughout thermal-induced vitellogenesis in the lizard Lacerta vivipara. Two classes of lipids were identified in both organs: triglycerides and phospholipids. The former are in a fluid state (stained by Sudan Black B), neutral (Nile Blue method), and unsaturated (reduce Os04). The latter react to a dichromate-hematoxylin method and are acidic (Nile Blue method). Throughout vitellogenic growth, oocytes simultaneously accumulate triglyceride and phospholipids linked to polypeptide granules. Both types of lipid inclusions always remain distinct.

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We investigated whether cold tolerance was an important limiting factor in the current altitudinal distributions of two Takydromus lizards, T. formosanus (< 1500 m in altitude) and the lowland-dwelling T. stejnegeri (< 1000 m in altitude) in Taiwan. We measured their critical thermal minimum (CTMin) and 3 mo survival rates in 4 cold treatments, and compared these with a high-mountainous species, T. hsuehshanensis (> 1800 m in altitude). The results indicated that (1) both the CTMin and prolonged cold tolerance were correlated to their upper limit of altitudinal distributions as predicted and (2) T. formosanus and T. stejnegeri had reasonable survival rates at temperatures that were lower than the underground temperature of high altitudinal areas. We concluded that although cold tolerance was correlated with altitudinal distribution, it is not a crucial factor limiting T. formosanus and T. stejnegeri at higher altitudes.

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In this study, it is aimed to determine Amphibian and Reptilian species of Ararat Mountain and near Environment, threats to species and precautions to be taken against these factors. For these purposes, total of 18 days herpetological trips carried out in Ararat Mountain between 2011-2017. As a result of the trips and literature searches, 4 Anuran (Bufotes variabilis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla savignyi, Pelobates syriacus), 2 Chelonian species (Mauremys caspica, Testudo graeca) 10 lizard species (Paralaudakia caucasia, Phrynocephalus horvathi, Heremites auratus, Eumeces schneiderii, Eremias strauchi, Eremias pleskei, Darevskia valentini, Lacerta strigata, Ophisops elegans, Pseudopus apodus) and 13 snake species (Xertoyphlops vermicularis, Dolichophis schmidti, Eirenis collaris, Hemorrhois ravergieri, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Platyceps najadum, Zamenis hohenackeri, Z. longissimus, Eryx jaculus, Malpolon insignitus, Macrovipera lebetina, Montivipera raddei) a total of 4 amphibians and 25 reptilian species belonging to 14 families were determined in Ararat Mountain.

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Prostaglandin F2, (PGF2,), prostaglandin E2 (PCE 2). progesterone, androgens, and estradiol-17 β vitro basal release by follicles of the oviparous lizard, Podareis s. sicula was studied, in addition, the in vitro effect of PGF2 and PGE2 on sex steroid release was evaluated. Follicles were divided according to the different vitellogenic developmental stages: pre-viteltegeoie, early-vitellogenic, mid-vitellogenic and fairy-grown. PGF2, and progesterone basal release was highest in fully-grown follicles; PGE2 and estradiol basal release was highest in early-vitellogenic follicies; androgens basai release was delectable m mid-vitellogenic and fully-grown vitellogenic follicies only. PGF2, increased progesterone release by fully-grown follicies; PGE2 increased estradiol release by all follicle types, except by early-vitellogenic ones. The present data suggest that PGF2;, and PGE2 exert different roles on follicles: PGF2.seems to induce ovulation through the mediation of progesterone, while PGE2 seems tobe implied in the start and the sustaining of oocyte vitellogenic development through the mediation of estradiol.

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Information on the pineal blood system of lizards is very limited. In view of a number of recent suggestions that the pineal complex may function in the secretion and/or storage of hormonal material it was considered necessary to obtain further information on the vascular pathways associated with it. A description is provided here of the pineal circulation in Lacerta muralis. This circulation is extensive and provides both an efficient supply to, and drainage from, all parts of the pineal complex. In particular there is an extensive capillary system draining the habenular, posterior, and subcommissural regions. The differences observed between the pineal venous systems of Lacerta muralis, Lacerta viridis, Chalcides tridactylus, Agama cyanogaster, and Varanus niloticus are also recorded. Such differences are restricted to the` drainage systems associated with the dorsal sac and anterior wall of the epiphysis. It is concluded that the abundant pineal vascular system would provide a suitable pathway for removing secretory material from the pineal complex.

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Numerous studies suggested that reptiles are sensitive to environmental pollution and the abundance of many species are in decline. Our research is aim to assess the toxic effects of pesticide in reptiles. And we also want to supply some data about nondestructive samples for environmental risk assessment in reptiles. Lizards were orally administered a single-dose of beta-cypermethrin (BCP) or myclobutanil (MC) at the concentration of 20 mg/kg body weight (bw). The results showed that pesticides could induce changes in enzymatic activities (SOD, CAT, LDH, AChE) and MDA levels in organs or tissues of lizards. BCP could cause more severe oxidative damage than that of MC. Salivary enzymes activities showed sensitivity changes to the toxicity of pesticides. We could use saliva to reflect whether the reptiles are toxic by pesticides. We also agree that buccal swabs could be used as a tool for saliva sampling.

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The metabolic process of diflubenzuron in rat or fish has been well studied, but little is known about its elimination pathway in lizard. The current study predicted the metabolic route of diflubenzuron in lizard feces and compared the toxicity of diflubenzuron and 4-chloroaniline on lizard thyroid system. The amido bond cleavage was the major route for diflubenzuron elimination in lizard feces. 4-Chloroaniline as the most toxic diflubenzuron metabolite was also abundant in feces. According to liver slices, 4-chloroaniline exposure induced significant changes of nuclear shape, while diflubenzuron exposure caused significant hepatocytes clustering. On the basis of thyroid hormone and thyroid-related gene levels, triiodothyronine (T3) level in lizard liver was regulated by thyroid hormone receptors, while thyroxine (T4) concentration was modulated by dio2 and udp genes after diflubenzuron or 4-chloroaniline exposure. These results showed that both diflubenzuron and 4-chloroaniline could disrupt lizard thyroid system, which could provide evidence for lizard population decline.

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Late Cenozoic stepwise aridification has transformed Central Asia into an arid environment, and the Pleistocene climatic oscillations exerted further ecological impact. Therefore, both aridification and glaciation would have considerably influenced the evolution of many midlatitude species in arid Central Asia (ACA). However, strong biotic evidence supporting this role is still lacking. Here, we test this perspective using a phylogeographic study of Eremias velox, which is an arid-adapted lizard, across ACA using sequences from mitochondrial cytochrome b and 12S rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated data, including 595 specimens from 107 localities, revealed ten geographically correlated lineages that diverged by 1.1–15.4% for the cytochrome b gene and 1.0–10.3% for the 12S rRNA gene, which were estimated to have coalesced ∼6.23 million years ago. Ancestral area estimations suggested that E. velox originated from the Iranian Plateau and then dispersed into Central Asia. The intensification of aridification across Central Asia during the Late Pliocene may have facilitated the rapid radiation of this arid-adapted lizard throughout this vast territory. Subsequently, the geological events (e.g., uplift of the Kopet-Dagh, Tianshan and Greater Caucasus Mountains) and glacial oscillations during the Pleistocene triggered the progressive diversification of E. velox. The most recent common ancestor of the Caucasus-Central Asia clade was dated to approximately 2.05 Ma. Specifically, the diversification between the Caucasus clade (VI, VII) and the Central Asia clade (VIII, IX, X), and within the Central Asia clade may have been established and partially maintained by repeated transgressions of the Caspian Sea during the Pleistocene and Holocene. In contrast to demographic and/or range contractions in response to climatic changes during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) of the populations (Clades VI and X) from the Caucasus-Central Asia clade, mitochondrial evidence and ecological niche modeling support the signature of demographic and range expansions during the LGM for the Clade V populations (E. v. roborowskii, being endemic to the Turpan Depression). The effect of Pleistocene climatic changes on the historical demography of this arid-adapted species may be lineagespecific, depending predominantly on animal physiology and geography. Finally, we discuss the taxonomic implications, such as the appearance of the Turkmenistan populations as a distinct species, and E. v. roborowskii deserving a full species status.

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The Balearic lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) is a native species of the Gymnesics islands, it has been cataloged as endangered by the IUCN. Because of its small population size and almost extinct in the major islands of Mallorca and Menorca. The aim of this work is to analyze the population variability, the phylogenetic relationships and the genetic structure of Podarcis lilfordi to the Cabrera Archipelago, through the use of molecular markers such as the mitochondrial DNA control region. The results reveal the presence of three clades within the archipelago, a relationship between the intrapopulation genetic variability and the surface of the islands and also it is shared haplotypes of Cabrera Gran, which suggesting that the island acted as a genetic reservoir.

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Widely distributed in Armenia bisexual and parthenogenetic species of Darevskia rock lizards have the potential to be considered as bioindicators of the effects of environmental pollutants. Juvenile and adult bisexual D. raddei and parthenogenetic D. armeniaca lizards were sampled from four locations with different levels of soil contamination. The comet assay, micronucleus (MN) test and global DNA methylation detection were applied in peripheral blood erythrocytes to assess genotoxic and epigenetic effects of pollutants. The concentrations of heavy metals were analyzed in the corresponding soil samples. In polluted areas levels of DNA damage were significantly higher and levels of global DNA methylation were significantly lower in both species than in reference sites. The levels of comets and global DNA methylation decreased with age but did not depend on sex. MN test did not show significant differences among localities or between sexes and age groups. The positive correlation between DNA damage and contents of Cr, Cu, As and Mo and negative correlation between global DNA methylation and contents of Cr, Cu, Zn, Mo and Pb were shown for D. raddei. The positive correlations between DNA damage and contents of Cr, Zn and Pb and negative correlations between global DNA methylation and contents of Cr, Zn, Mo, Cd and Pb were revealed for D. armeniaca. The correlation results for some metals are different in juveniles and adults. D. armeniaca showed higher sensitivity toward environmental pollution than D. raddei in their common habitat. Genetic homogeneity of parthenogenetic lizards permits to evaluate the effects of environmental pollutants independently from inter-individual genetic variation. In conclusion, the current study suggests that DNA damage and global DNA methylation may be applied to Darevskia lizards as a sentinel organism for assessing the effects of environmental pollutants.

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As the Noble false widow spider Steatoda nobilis (Thorell 1875) continues to expand its range across Europe, Asia and the Americas, its potential as an invasive species has not yet been fully assessed. Latrodectinae spiders are remarkably adaptable and possess fast-acting neurotoxic venom that can cause neuromuscular paralysis in vertebrates and occasionally feed on small reptiles. We describe here a predation event by a mature female Steatoda nobilis on a juvenile Zootoca vivipara lizard in suburban Dublin. This is the first report of Steatoda nobilis preying on a vertebrate, and the first report of a terrestrial vertebrate organism falling prey to an arachnid in Ireland. Zootoca vivipara is a protected species in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and may increasingly fall prey to Steatoda nobilis as urbanisation encroaches on lizard habitat. Therefore, Steatoda nobilis should be closely monitored outside of its original native range to assess its status as an invasive species.

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1. We studied in field and laboratory experiments several aspects of the thermal biology of adult lacertid lizards (Takydromus septentrionalis). 2. The selected body temperature and the critical thermal maximum averaged 30.0 and 42.3°C, respectively; the critical thermal minimum of males and females averaged 3.9 and 5.9°C, respectively. 3. The lizards in May exhibited lower and more variable active body temperatures than did the lizards in July, because of lower and more variable air and substrate temperatures in May. 4. The sprint speed generally increased with body temperature within the range of 17 to 32°C and decreased at temperatures >32°C. 5. Within the range of 26 to 36°C, body temperature influenced food assimilation primarily by affecting the food passage time, whereas it only slightly affected the daily food consumption, the apparent digestive coefficient and the assimilation efficiency. The food passage time decreased with increasing body temperature.

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1. We investigated whether heat tolerance has a crucial impact on the altitudinal distribution of a high-altitude lizard, Takydromus hsuehshanensis (>1800 m altitude). 2. We measured and compared its heat tolerance with that of another two lowland species. Heat tolerance measurement included critical thermal maximum (CTMax) and survival rates under three fluctuating daily temperature treatments over a 3-month period. Two of the three temperature treatments, the extremely high temperature (EH treatment) and the average temperature (H treatment), were set to approximate lowland summer temperatures. The third one was set to approximate cool temperature in mountain areas (C treatment). 3. Our results showed that (1) CTMax of T. hsuehshanensis was higher than the summer temperature in the lowland areas, and not significantly lower than that of two other lowland species, (2) T. hsuehshanensis survived the H and EH treatments over a 3-month period and its survival rate was not significantly lower than that of the other two lowland species. Therefore, T. hsuehshanensis was not only able to tolerate high temperatures mimicking lowland areas for a short period of time, but also for a much longer period of time. 4. We conclude that the heat tolerance of T. hsuehshanensis is not a crucial factor limiting its current altitudinal distribution.

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Photographic identification is a promising marking technique alternative to the toe-clipping, since it is completely harmless, cheap, and it allows long time identification of individuals. Its application to ecological studies is mainly limited by the time consuming to compare pictures within large datasets and the huge variation of ornamentation patterns among different species, which prevent the possibility that a single algorithm can effectively work for more than few species. Scales of Reptiles offer an effective alternative to ornamentations for computer aided identification procedures, since both shape and size of scales are unique to each individual, thus acting as a fingerprint like ornamentation patterns do. We used the Interactive Individual Identification System (I3S) software to assess whether different individuals of two species of European lizards (Podarcis muralis and Lacerta bilineata) can be reliably photographically identified using the pattern of the intersections among pectoral scales as fingerprints. We found that I3S was able to identify different individuals among two samples of 21 individuals for each species independently from the error associated to the ability of the operators in collecting pictures and in digitizing the pattern of intersections among pectoral scales. In a database of 1043 images of P. muralis collected between 2007 and 2008, the software recognized 98% of recaptures within each year, and 99% of the recaptures between years. In addition, 99% and 96% of matches were ranked among the top five, and no more than 5 minutes were needed for digitizing and processing each image. The lepidosis of reptiles is a reliable alternative to ornamentation patterns in photographic identification of reptiles, which can be effectively analysed using the I3S software. This result represents a significant improvement in photographic identification of reptiles since (i) this procedure can be easily extended to most other species of reptiles, (ii) all kind of individuals within a species can be marked (i.e., young, subadults and adults) despite the differences in ornamentation patterns, and (iii) it is the only technique for species, like the western green lizard, which lack a clear ornamentation pattern.

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Thermal reaction norms of sprint speed were examined in three lacertid lizard species (Takydromus tachydromoides, T. smaragdinus, and T. dorsalis). We found inter- and intraspecific variations in maximum sprint speed, optimal body temperature, and thermal performance breadth for the best sprints. The thermal performance breadth of T. smaragdinus was broader than that of T. tachydromoides or T. dorsalis, whereas T. dorsalis sprinted faster than the others. In T. smaragdinus, individuals with narrower performance breadths run faster within their thermal range of expertise. There were “specialist” individuals of which performance depended heavily on high temperatures, as well as “generalist” individuals that performed well over a broad range of temperatures even within a single population. We discussed that the spatiotemporal instability of habitats might favor more than one type of thermal reaction norm of sprint performance, and this phenomenon may be driven by specialist–generalist trade-offs.

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We report the discovery of bones and body-parts of the endemic grass lizard Takydromus toyamai from non-native Japanese weasel Mustela itatsi feces collected on Miyakojima and Irabujima in the Miyako Islands, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. The results are suggestive of the cause of the recent serious population decline in this endangered lizard species, and are further evidence of predation on indigenous terrestrial animals of this archipelago, including those of rare and endemic species, by introduced M. itatsi.

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Understanding how habitat type and deterioration may affect parasitism is important to assess human-induced environmental change effects on host-parasite dynamics. In this study, we examined inter-population differences in parasites load in a Mediterranean lizard, Psammodromus algirus (Linnaeus, 1758). We analyzed prevalence and intensity of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites in two populations separated by a 400-m elevational gradient and with different habitat types that also differed in the degree of human alteration. We also compared data obtained in the same populations after ten years lapsed to assess whether there have been temporary changes in parasites load. Results showed that prevalence and intensity of blood parasites were higher in the deteriorated lowland holm oak forest population than in the well preserved upland oak forest. In contrast, the prevalence and intensity of infection by Ixodes ticks was higher in the upland oak forest population. Individuals from the lowland population were in poorer condition. Intensities of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites have decreased significantly from 2005-2006 to 2016 in both populations. Our results suggest that inter-population differences in parasite load may be explained by differences in habitat characteristics. This study contributes to identify which ecosystems and habitats are most sensitive to prevalence and intensity of infection by parasites.

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Reproductive investment, including the average number of offspring produced by an organism, is one of the fundamental characteristics of a species. Among other things, it predicts a species’ resilience to environmental disruption: taxa that produce more offspring are able to recover more quickly from environmental perturbations and survive long-term environmental change. Despite the clear importance of this trait, ecologists do not have a good understanding of the primary drivers shaping the reproductive investment of each species. To answer this question, I compare the reproductive efforts of numerous island populations of the Aegean Wall Lizard (Podarcis erhardii), which differ in multiple key environmental characteristics. I test three hypotheses, namely that reproductive investment (measured as clutch size, clutch volume and egg volume) is: 1) positively associated with predation risk [‘Predation Risk Hypothesis’]; 2) positively associated with the presence of reliable vegetation cover that provides shelter [‘Gravid Female Protection Hypothesis’], and 3) limited by (and hence positively correlated with) food availability [‘Food Limitation Hypothesis’]. Although field data are consistent with all three hypotheses, statistical analysis shows strong support for the Predation Risk Hypothesis. The result not only shed light on which fundamental forces shape reproductive investment in island vertebrates, but can also help set conservation priorities by identifying the most sensitive populations because reduced reproductive ability can be predicted based on easily quantifiable island characteristics (number of sympatric predator species).

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Geometric morphometrics is a better tool to evaluate the variation of shape than ‘traditional’ morphometrics. In reptiles, it outperforms morphometrics based on linear measurements and scalation. In an earlier study, two-dimensional outline-based geometric morphometrics in six species of rock lizards (Darevskia) showed that their shapes reflected the species divergence pattern. This allowed us to separate species from different clades, but we could not distinguish closely related species within a clade. We hypothesized that three-dimensional (3D) head shape data would be sufficiently discriminative to identify closely related species. To test this hypothesis, we compared head shapes of three closely related species of the ‘rudis’ clade, Darevskia portschinskii, Darevskia valentini and Darevskia rudis, with the last species treated as two distinct groups (D. r. obscura vs. D. r. rudis), using 3D landmark data. The 3D analysis isolated the species of the ‘rudis’ clade from each other and even separated individuals from populations that showed a genetic introgression pattern. The analysis showed that D. r. obscura is morphologically as distinct from D. r. rudis as from the other nominal species. For this reason, we suggest elevating the status of D. r. obscura to species level, i.e. Darevskia obscura Lantz & Cyrén, 1936.

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Strongly selected characters can be transferred from one lineage to another with limited genetic exchange, resulting in asymmetric introgression and a mosaic genome in the receiving population. However, systems are rarely sufficiently well studied to link the pattern of introgression to its underlying process. Male common wall lizards in western Italy exhibit exaggeration of a suite of sexually selected characters that make them outcompete males from a distantly related lineage that lack these characters. This results in asymmetric hybridization and adaptive introgression of the suite of characters following secondary contact. We developed genomewide markers to infer the demographic history of gene flow between different genetic lineages, identify the spread of the sexually selected syndrome, and test the prediction that introgression should be asymmetric and heterogeneous across the genome. Our results show that secondary contact was accompanied by gene flow in both directions across most of the genome, but with approximately 3% of the genome showing highly asymmetric introgression in the predicted direction. Demographic simulations reveal that this asymmetric gene flow is more recent than the initial secondary contact, and the data suggest that the exaggerated male sexual characters originated within the Italian lineage and subsequently spread throughout this lineage before eventually reaching the contact zone. These results demonstrate that sexual selection can cause a suite of characters to spread throughout both closely and distantly related lineages with limited gene flow across the genome at large.

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Identification of high levels of intraspecific genetic variability is common among assessments of reptiles from the Iberian Peninsula, conforming to the “refugia within refugia” hypothesis. Divergent genetic lineages are often found to be allopatric, or with limited contact or hybrid zones; such zones are more widely reported in Northern Europe, leading to the “melting pots not hotspots” hypothesis. However, population level sampling is needed to determine if divergent lineages overlap, something that is often missing in phylogenetic studies. Mitochondrial genetic diversity was assessed within the lacertid lizard Acanthodactylus erythrurus across the Iberian Peninsula. Not only were highly divergent lineages recovered in the southern region, but also considerable admixture of these was identified, particularly in northern populations. This has implications for biogeographic scenarios, with patterns typically identified at a larger scale emerging within a single European southern refugium. It also indicates that divergent mtDNA lineages appear to freely mix, at least within this species, which has taxonomic implications.

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The common wall lizard has been widely introduced across Europe and overseas. We investigated the origin of putatively introduced Podarcis muralis populations from two southern Europe localities: (i) Ljubljana (Slovenia), where uncommon phenotypes were observed near the railway tracks and (ii) the port of Vigo (Spain), where the species was recently found 150 km far from its previously known range. We compared cytochrome-b mtDNA sequences of lizards from these populations with published sequences across the native range. Our results support the allochthonous status and multiple, long-distance origins in both populations. In Ljubljana, results support two different origins, Serbia and Italy. In Vigo, at least two separate origins are inferred, from western and eastern France. Such results confirm that human-mediated transport is promoting biological invasion and lineage admixture in this species. Solid knowledge of the origin and invasion pathways, as well as population monitoring, is crucial for management strategies to be successful.

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The study of polymorphic organisms in which sexual selection strongly drives the maintenance of the polymorphism often ignores the environmental context. However, natural selection is also crucial, often interacting with sexual selection. While most evidence suggests that sexual selection underlies the maintenance of the colour polymorphism shown by the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis, involving up to five sympatric morphs (white -W-, yellow -Y-, orange -O-, white-orange -WO- and yellow-orange -YO), recent results using realised niche models suggest morph distribution at a geographical scale is constrained by climate. The Y and YO morphs occupy a narrow space within the niche of the other morphs, and local frequencies of W, WO and O morphs are environmentally dependent, with O and WO showing higher local frequencies in the most humid habitats. We hypothesised that morphs may behaviourally compensate for these differences at a microhabitat scale. Here, we tested this hypothesis collecting field microhabitat data from representative natural populations. Results highlighted that O lizards are partially segregated in microhabitat relative to the other morphs, tending to occupy more humid (vegetated, close to water) sites, and suggesting a physiological constraint. In contrast, the other morphs do not differ in microhabitat use, suggesting that the ecological restriction of Y and YO morphs derives from an indirect relationship between climate and population parameters (sex ratio, density) crucial for social selection, eventually involving alternative behavioural strategies.

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Environmental enrichment has proven to be a useful and effective welfare tool in order to evaluate and enhance the well‐being of captive animals, but only when it is based on detailed knowledge of each species` natural behaviour. Chemoreception is fundamental to many aspects of reptilian biology; however, sensory enrichment with chemical stimuli has rarely been applied to reptiles. In this study, we evaluate the use of chemosensory enrichment as a method to enhance the welfare of Podarcis liolepis. For seven weeks, we exposed field‐caught males to scents from donor conspecific males collected on pieces of filter paper (i.e., “enriched” group, n = 18), and compared their behaviour to that of control males provided with unscented pieces of filter paper (n = 18). We measured the occurrence of normal (e.g., locomotion) and abnormal (escape attempts) behaviours each day for three weeks. In addition, we conducted two exploration tests and a visual barrier test. Compared to controls, enriched lizards showed a consistent long‐term decrease (29%–38%) in the occurrence of escape attempts. During exploration tests, enriched lizards spent less time performing escape attempts and devoted more time to perching than controls. As expected, both control and enriched lizards showed a reduction of time in locomotion and an increase in the time spent perching between the first and second exploration test, but these changes were significantly more pronounced for enriched animals. Taken together, our results suggest improved welfare of enriched animals, as they spent less time engaging in abnormal behaviours, more time in normal behaviours, and showed signs of faster habituation to a novel environment. Chemosensory enrichment is a relatively simple enrichment strategy that could potentially be applied to improve the welfare of a wide range of captive lizards, and reptiles at large.

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Standardized swim-up trials are used in in vitro fertilization clinics to select particularly motile spermatozoa in order to increase the probability of a successful fertilization. Such trials demonstrate that sperm with longer telomeres have higher motility and lower levels of DNA damage. Regardless of whether sperm motility, and successful swim-up to fertilization sites, is a direct or correlational effect of telomere length or DNA damage, covariation between telomere length and sperm performance predicts a relationship between telomere length and probability of paternity in sperm competition, a prediction that for ethical reasons cannot be tested on humans. Here, we test this prediction in sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) using experimental data from twice-mated females in a laboratory population, and telomere length in blood from the participating lizards. Female identity influenced paternity (while the mechanism was not identified), while relatively longer male telomeres predicted higher probability of paternity. We discuss potential mechanisms underpinning this result.

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During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; 20–14 Kya ago), Northern Europe was covered by ice and permafrost and the distribution of many organisms contracted into glacial refugia. After the LGM, species started to colonize areas from which ice and permafrost retracted and Northern Europe was recolonized. The LGM affected past and present distributions of many species. Different mechanisms led to the currently observed distributions and phylogeographic patterns. However, little evidence exists for their importance in determining the currently existing phylogeographic structuring. Here, we compare the post-LGM colonization patterns of four terrestrial reptile species: two lizards (Zootoca vivipara, Lacerta agilis) and two snakes (Vipera berus, Zamenis longissimus). All four species exhibit large natural current distributions in Europe and colonized areas covered by ice and/or permafrost during LGM. The results show that the most important parameters promoting fast and large post-LGM colonisations are: (i) adaptations to cooler temperatures (including the evolution of viviparity), (ii) absence of physical or climatic barriers during expansion from the refugia, and (iii) low competition with other species/subspecies during expansion, i.e. a refugium at the edge of a species distribution that allows first colonization of newly available habitat.

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ln der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Herpetofauna von über 50 portugiesischen Gebirgszügen zusammengestellt: für jedes Gebirge der hõchste bisher bekannte Fundort der einzelnen Arten mit Hôhenangabe. Es ist das Ergebnis vierjiähriger Untersuchungen (1976-1980).

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The ability to early detect a potential predator is essential for survival. The potential of Iberolacerta cyreni lizards to discriminate between chemical cues of their two predatory snakes Coronella austriaca (a non-venomous active-hunter saurophagous specialist) and Vipera latastei (a venomous sit-and-wait generalist) was evaluated herein. A third snake species, Natrix maura, which does not prey on lizards, was used as a pungent control. Thus, the behaviour of I. cyreni was studied regarding four treatments: (1) C. austriaca scent, (2) V. latastei scent, (3) N. maura scent and (4) odourless control. Lizards showed antipredator behaviour (such as slow-motion and tail waving) to C. austriaca and V. latastei chemicals. The antipredatory response was similar for both predators. This ability to react with an intensive behavioural pattern to the chemical cues of their predatory snakes may prevent lizards from being detected, and, if detected, dissuade the predator from beginning a pursuit.

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Monitoring of the population of the Pyrenean rock lizard Iberolacerta bonnali (Lantz, 1927) in the “Val d’Arrious” (Ossau Valley). A monitoring of the population of the Pyrenean rock lizard Iberolacerta bonnali in the Val d’Arrious (Ossau Valley) was established in the Pyrenees National Park. This monitoring allowed mapping the distribution of the Pyrenean rock lizard’s as well as the contact zone with the common wall lizard Podarcis muralis, from the altitude of 2.010 m a.s.l upwards. The habitat of the Pyrenean rock lizard is restricted to the most thermophilous exposures, including Festuca eskia meadows, screes areas, siliceous slabs, and outcrops along with damp boulders and screes where the snow remains, along the stream of Arrious. A capture-mark-recapture study estimated the population size of the Pyrenean Rock Lizard’s population size at 69 individuals (54 - 99 individuals at 95 %), for 2.458 m², i.e. a density of 281 lizards per hectare. The study of the Pyrenean rock lizard of Arrious allowed to make a first inventory of this species and to validate a monitoring method. Other sites will be studied following this protocol to establish a network of sites for long-term monitoring.

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Die vorliegende Untersuchung stellt eine erste gründliche Bestandesaufnahme der liechtensteinischen Reptilienbestände dar. Von April bis September 1988 wurden durch Feldbegehungen, Befragung der Bevölkerung und Auswertung bereits vorhandener Daten möglichst umfassende Kenntnisse erworben und in den folgenden Monaten ausgewertet. Erstmals konnte im Fürstentum Liechtenstein die Mauereidechse (Podaräs muralis) nachgewiesen werden, die in Triesen ausgesetzt wurde und dort eine stabile Population begründete. Des weiteren konnten, abgestuft nach Häufigkeit, folgende Reptilienarten festgestellt werden: Zauneidechse (Lace/ta agilis), Bergeidechse (Lacerta vivipara), Blindschleiche (Anguis jragilis), Barrenringelnatter (Natrix natrix helvetica), Kreuzotter (Vipera berus) und Schlingnatter (Coronella austriaca). Zwei ältere Beobachtungen von ausgesetzten Schildkröten (Emys orbicularis und Mauremys caspica) konnten nicht bestätigt werden. Die vorliegenden Resultate liefern erste Erkenntnisse zur horizontalen und vertikalen Verbreitung, zu Exposition und Front, Neigung, Fundort und Biotop und zur Bedrohung der Arten. Aufgrund dieser Erfahrungen wurde eine Rote Liste der Arten erstellt. Von den sechs einheimischen Arten konnten lediglich die Bergeidechse (in den Berglagen) und die Blindschleiche als vorläufig nicht bedroht eingestuft werden. Die Zauneidechse, die Kreuzotter und die Barrenringelnatter gelten als gefahrdet. Stark gefahrdet ist die Schlingnatter, von der nirgends grössere Populationen festgestellt werden konnten. Die Kreuzotter ist in der Revision des Naturschutzgesetzes unter die geschützten Arten zu setzen. Abschliessend folgt eine Zusammenstellung der aus der Sicht des Reptilienschutzes wertvollen Gebiete im Fürstentum Liechtenstein mit Vorschlägen zu deren Erhaltung und Pflege.

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Auf der Grundlage einer ausführlichen Situationsbcschrcibung wird die rückläufige Bestandsentwicklung der Lurch- und Kriechtierfauna im Wiener Prater diskutiert. Die Präsenz der einzelnen Arten wird graphisch dargestellt. Geeignete Maßnahmen zur Krhaltung bzw. Verbesserung der gegenwärtigen Situation werden vorgeschlagen.

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The Paleontology Area of La Laguna University has been developing a collection of digital models of fossils in order to use them in education and divulgation. It has been shown that the use of digital models are effective in getting closer the general public to the results obtained in scientific research. Based on the experience gained in previous work where multimedia contents were created from fossil invertebrate materials, the Paleontology Area has started a new project with present and fossils remains of endemic giant lizards from the Canary Islands belonging to the Ga- llotia genus. The project consists of two stages: firstly, scientific information will be obtained and secondly in which the results will be adapted to generate multimedia contents. The first results of the project were microtomographies, modeling and impressions of specimens under study. This stage has been successfully carried out. Moreover, the study and acquisition of paleobiological information that will be used in both phases has begun.

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The Chinese lizards (Eremias argus) were used to evaluate the metabolism, distribution and effect of dinotefuran following oral exposed. The HPLC equipped with Q Exactive focus was used for metabolite identification and concentration analysis. After single oral administration, the time-concentration curves of dinotefuran and its metabolites were tissue-dependent. The liver and kidney were the major metabolic organs. Percutaneous and urinary excretions were the main ways for lizards to eliminate dinotefuran, and the urine output was the limiting factor. Nitro-reduction was an important process of the metabolism of dinotefuran that was dominated by aldehyde oxidase, and P450 enzymes were involved. The CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 played a crucial role in the other metabolic pathways of dinotefuran. The mRNA expressions of GST family were severely inhibited in liver, which showed dinotefuran might pose a risk of damaging the oxidative stress system in liver. Prolonged residuals of dinotefuran and its demethylation metabolite might enhance the risk of dinotefuran to brain. The results enrich and supplement the knowledge of the environmental fate of dinotefuran in reptiles.

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One of the most interesting but elusive members of the European herpetofauna is the meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola). It is a small, ground dwelling, predominantly forest living lacertid, for which many ecological and biological data are still missing. Moreover, at least for the western part of the species range (south-eastern Europe) its distribution and environmental associations are insufficiently known, likely due to difficulties in detection even with intensive field sampling. Here, we complemented the available literature records with our personal observations and explored the effects of environmental factors shaping the species ecological niche and distribution in Europe using the ecological niche modelling approach from Maxent software. The new records of the meadow lizard fill a gap in its known distribution. The most suitable habitats are in central and eastern Serbia, south-western Romania, and central, southern and south-western Bulgaria. Mean temperature of the coldest quarter, vegetation and slope had the strongest effect in defining the meadow lizard’s ecological niche. Niche suitability increased with the increase in forest cover and slope, while the temperature showed a bell-shaped response with a rather narrow tolerance range for temperature. Contrary to expectations, precipitation seemed to have no contribution to the species occurrence. Ecological niche model performance increased with a higher resolution of predictor variables despite the lower number of available occurrence records, although the slope variable had a greater predictive power when calculated at a lower resolution. Interestingly, high resolution vegetation variables (30 m) were able to show some level of habitat fragmentation, which likely resulted from deforestation. Overall, our results epitomize the effects of limited sampling on the biogeography inference of elusive species while having significant repercussions on conservation priorities and management of the species.

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The current literature and our field observations have shown that spiny-tailed lizard may also be active in the winter season. Activity of Darevskia rudis in the February was recorded for the first time in the province of Giresun, Eastern Black Sea Region, Turkey. In conclusion, we assessed that the spiny-tailed lizard could be active throughout the year due to global climate changes.

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Systematically evaluation of the metabolism, distribution and effect of imidacloprid in Chinese lizards (Eremias argus) were carried out following oral exposure. Imidacloprid-olefin-guanidine was prone to accumulate in the brain and caused potential neurotoxicity. Percutaneous and excretory excretions were the primary ways for the elimination of imidacloprid and its metabolites. Liver was the main site for hydroxy reduction and nitro-reduction metabolism of imidacloprid. The metabolism of imidacloprid was a complex process in which many metabolic enzymes participated. Aldehyde oxidase and CYP2C9 were the key enzymes in nitro-reduction process. CYP3A4 dominated the process of hydroxylation and desaturation. The increase in Glutathione S-transferase expression may be related to the removal of imidacloprid, but also related to the oxidative stress reaction that imidacloprid may cause in tissues, especially in the kidney. The findings enrich and supplement the knowledge of the environmental fate of imidacloprid in reptiles.

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The understanding of mechanisms of interspecific competition between ecologically similar sympatric species is often lacking from studies predicting the impact of future climate changes. However biotic interactions are known to be key factors influencing the community structure. We studied interspecific competitive mechanisms in two species: the Horvath`s rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi [Méhely, 1904]) and the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis [Laurenti, 1768]). At first we examined the potential for competition between studied species by comparing their realised niches in the sympatric area and their morphological, physiological and ecological traits (species` fundamental ecological niches). Altitude contributed the most to the segregation pattern in their distribution. Both species have similar general habitat use and were morphologically similar, except for the head height, which might have reprecursions in segregation in the use of refuge sites. Species were similar in the mean of preferred body temperatures and metabolic rates, but differed in the precision of thermoregulation and the potential metabolic activity. Thus, I. horvathi might have eco-physiological competitive advantages over P. muralis in thermally restrictive (cold) environments. Furthermore, species were found to compete for limited resource (sun-exposed areas) via direct agonistic interactions, indicating an asymmetric interspecific interaction (P. muralis showed to be in adavnatge over I. horvathi). We have also assesed the role of common predators as mediators on the interaction between lizards as prey species. We suggest that “a more cautious” anti-predator behavioural response of I. horvathi might provide direct benefits (higher survival rates) but only in populations where predation pressure was high, otherwise it carries substantial time and thermoregulatory costs. Overall results of the dissertation improved our understanding of interspecific competition between studied sympatric species. Such information may also be used for improving results of modelling predictions of the effect of future climate changes on the distribution of these protected species.

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The knowledge of the diet of animals in their natural environment is a prerequisite for understanding their biology and ecology. Thus the aim of this study was to describe the diet of the Bosk’s Fringe-toed lizards Acanthodactylus boskianus, one of the most common lizards in the coastal habitats in Gabès region (southern Tunisia). In this area, this lizard species occurs in coastal dunes as well as in inland sandy habitats. So, we wished to compare the diversity of preys consumed by this lizard in both habitats: beach vs. backshore. Analysis of the stomach contents of 47 lizards showed a diet composed of various invertebrates, but that varied among habitats. In particular, we found that lizards living in sandy beaches included in their diets littoral preys, mostly Talitres (amphipods). Overall, our results confirm the alimentary opportunism of A. boskianus. They also emphasize the role of interface between the marine and terrestrial food chains played by this lizard species in the coastal ecosystems of the Gulf of Gabès. This last observation suggests that this lizard could also play a possible role in the transfer of pollutants (mainly heavy metals) discharged into the sea by the Gabès-Ghannouche industries of phosphate treatment from the sea to the terrestrial environment.

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A series of phylogeographic studies in the Maghreb identified a repeated pattern of deep genetic divergence between an eastern (Tunisia) and western (Morocco) lineage for several taxa but lack of sampling in Algeria made it difficult to know if the range limits between the eastern and western lineages were shared among taxa or not. To address this question, we designed a comparative phylogeographic study using 8 reptile and 3 amphibian species with wide distribution in the Maghreb as models.We selected species where previous studies had identified an East-West phylogeographic divide and collected sampled in Algeria to 1) examine whether the simple East-West divergence pattern still holds after filling the sampling gap in Algeria or if more complex diversity patterns emerge; 2) if the E-W pattern still holds, test whether the limits between the E and W clades are shared between species, suggesting that common historical process caused the E-W divergences; 3) if E-W limits are shared between species, use information on the age of the divergence to identify possible geological or climatic events that could have triggered these E-W differentiations. We found that the E-W pattern was generally maintained after additional sampling in Algeria and identified two common disjunction areas, one around the Algeria-Morocco border, the other one in Kabylia (central Algeria), suggesting that common historical mechanisms caused the E-W divergences in the Maghreb. Our estimates for the times to most common recent ancestors to the E and W clades span a wide range between the Messinian salinity crisis and the Plio-Pleistocene limit (except for one older split), suggesting different origins for the initial divergences and subsequent preservation of the E and W lineages in common climatic refugia in the west and the east of the Maghreb.

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The taxonomy and nomenclature of Iberian Algyroides are problematic. The first taxon described, A. hidalgoi Boscá, 1916, was based on a single specimen that was subsequently lost. The description of the second taxon, A. marchi Valverde, 1958, was based on the comparison of a newly discovered population with the original description of A. hidalgoi. However, A. hidalgoi specimens have never been recorded since for any locality. Therefore, three questions need to be addressed: Is A. hidalgoi Boscá, 1916 a morphologically diagnosable taxon different from all non-Iberian species of Algyroides?are A. hidalgoi and A. marchi conspecific? And if so, which is the correct name for the species? To clarify the taxonomic status of the Iberian Algyroides we (1) compare Boscá’s A. hidalgoi original description against the descriptions of all other species of Algyroides, (2) test the accuracy of Boscá’s A. hidalgoi by comparing it against 204 Iberian museum specimens, and (3) designate a neotype of A. hidalgoi that fits the head pholidosis described in the original description. We show that none of the diagnostic characters used by Valverde to differentiate between A. hidalgoi and A. marchi are actually diagnostic, as we found high levels of variability on those characters in the studied specimens. Our results validate Boscá’s description of A. hidalgoi, which fits within the morphological variability observed for southern Iberian Algyroides. As a result, we propose the strict synonymy of A. marchi Valverde, 1958 with A. hidalgoi Boscá, 1916.

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Early life stages are particularly vulnerable to environmental perturbations. Embryonic thermal sensitivity might be a driving force in the emergence of prenatal parental care, such as maternal thermoregulation. Viviparity has emerged on repeated occasions among squamate reptiles, and two main evolutionary hypotheses based on maternal thermoregulation have been proposed to explain these transitions, namely the ‘cold climate hypothesis’ and the ‘maternal manipulation hypothesis’. Squamate embryos typically face important daily temperature fluctuations either in the nest or within the maternal body, but most experimental studies on development have relied on constant temperature. Therefore, we may have only limited insight on the effect of maternal thermoregulation on embryo development. We manipulated thermal conditions to compare the influence of a typical maternal temperature cycle (M) or nest thermal conditions (N) both during gravidity and during incubation in the oviparous form of a reproductively bimodal squamate (Zootoca vivipara). Although the two treatments had a similar mean temperature, we found that M treatment accelerated development, notably when applied during gravidity. Only limited effects were found when considering offspring phenotype and performance. Overall, our results suggest that small changes in thermal conditions can have a strong impact on reproductive phenology and might be a proximate target in the emergence of egg retention and, ultimately, of viviparity. Further studies are required to address long-lasting effects of maternal thermoregulation on offspring performance.

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Anhand ihrer Feld- und Literaturstudien identifizierten die Autoren 36 Amphibien- und Reptilienarten, die nachweislich in der turkischen Provinz Bitlis vorkommen, wobei die Fundorte und die an ihnen angetroffenen Habitattypen angegeben werden. die durch Beobachtung festgestellten Hauptgefahrdungsursachen werden benannt. insgesamt kennt man aus dem Untersuchungsgebiet Vorkommen von vier Froschlurch-, zwei Schwanzlurch- und Schildkrötenarten sowie 15 Echsen- und 13 Schlangenarten. Hyla savignyi Audouin, 1827, Heremites vittatus (Olivier, 1804), Timon kurdistanicus (Suchow, 1936) and Eirenis thospitis Schmidtler & Lanza, 1990, stellen Erstnachweise fur die Provinz Bitlis dar.

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Literaturrecherchen und Feldstudien in allen Gebieten der türkischen Provinz Ağrı ergaben, daß aus dem Untersuchungsgebiet drei Arten von Froschlurchen, zwei von Schildkröten und 16 Echsen- sowie 14 Schlangenarten bekannt sind. Die nachgewiesenen Arten und ihre in der vorliegenden Feldstudie festgestellten fundorte sind in einer Karte, einer Tabelle und im Anhang angeführt. Vorkommen von Mauremys caspica, Ablepharus bivittatus, Parvilacerta parva, Eremias pleskei, Xerotyphlops vermicularis, Natrix natrix, Coronella austriaca, Eirenis eiselti, Dolichophis jugularis, Dolichophis schmidti, Platyceps najadum und Montivipera wagneri waren vor dieser Untersuchung aus der Provinz Ağrı nicht bekannt.

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Exotic animal invasions constitute a major threat to biodiversity worldwide. Our assessment determined the core range occupied by the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) in the urban area of Parque das Nações (Lisbon, Portugal), where it was accidentally introduced two decades ago. Despite the apparent current scenario of non-expansion, the alien species interferes with the local distribution pattern of the native P. virescens, with both lizard species shown to use the available microhabitats differently. The native P. virescens population displays an overall heterogeneous distribution in the urban matrix. On the other hand, the occupancy of the exotic species clusters within the original area of introduction (garden in front of the Lisbon Oceanarium), as well as in adjacent gardens. There, P. siculus replaced the native P. virescens as the only lizard species present. Apparently, there is no known reason there that prevents the alien lizard from colonizing more available geographic area and expanding.

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The purpose of this application under Articles 78.1 and 81 of the Code is to request the Commission to use its plenary power to choose among two alternatives in order to preserve the genus name Darevskia and nomenclatural stability. In Alternative A, the Commission is asked to accept the microfiche publication (Arribas, 1997) as a published work in the sense of the Code and made available the names included therein, placing Iberolacerta Arribas, 1997 and Darevskia Arribas, 1997 on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology, their type species on the Official List of Specific Names in Zoology, and the microfiche edition of Arribas (1997) on the Official List of Works Approved as Available for Zoological Nomenclature. This action will promote stability, as both names are widely accepted and, if the 1997 publication in microfiche is considered unavailable, then Darevskia Arribas, 1997 could potentially be threatened by Caucasilacerta Harris et al., 1998 (by authors who would not consider this name a nomen nudum), which would clearly disrupt stability. Not only would this alternative be the best way to preserve nomenclatural stability as stressed in the ICZN Preamble and repeated in several Articles of the Code, but it would also be the only way to ensure that these names (available at the time of their publication) remain available after the retroactive changes that have been introduced between the third and fourth editions of the Code. If Alternative A is chosen, both Iberolacerta and Darevskia become available from Arribas (1997). In Alternative B, the microfiche publication (Arribas, 1997) is considered invalid and placed on the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Works in Zoological Nomenclature. Both Iberolacerta and Darevskia would be considered published in Arribas (1999). Also, the Commission is asked to place on the Official Index of Rejected Generic Names in Zoology the name Caucasilacerta Harris et al., 1998 (as a nomen nudum due to the lack of a valid diagnosis) and to place on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology the names Iberolacerta Arribas, 1999 and Darevskia Arribas, 1999.

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Die Autoren untersuchten die Altersstruktur zweier Stichproben (Edirne: 17 m a.s.l. und Bolu: 1,250 m a.s.l.) von Lacerta trilineata Bedriaga, 1886 in der Türkei. Die Altersbestimmung mittels Skeletochronologie ergab Höchstalter von etwa sieben Jahren in der Stichprobe von Bolu und fünf in der von Edirne. die Überlebensrate bei Eintritt in die Geschlechtsreife betrug 0,59 % bei den Männchen und 0,24 % bei den Weibchen von Bolu. die entsprechende Lebenserwartung belief sich in dieser Stichprobe auf 2,94 Jahre für die Männchen und 1,82 fur die Weibchen. der Eintritt in die Geschlechtsreife erfolgte in beiden Stichproben im Alter von zwei Jahren. obwohl das mittlere Alter in der Stichprobe der Hochlandpopulation höher war als in der des Tieflandes, war die mittlere Kopf-Rumpf-Länge in letzterer größer.

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Background: Understanding how phenotypic variation scales from individuals, through populations, up to species, and how it relates to genetic and environmental factors, is essential for deciphering the evolutionary mechanisms that drive biodiversity. We used two species of Podarcis wall lizards to test whether phenotypic diversity within and divergence across populations follow concordant patterns, and to examine how phenotypic variation responds to genetic and environmental variability across different hierarchical levels of biological organization, in an explicit geographic framework. Results: We found a general concordance of phenotypic variation across hierarchical levels (i.e. individuals and populations). However, we also found that within-population diversity does not exhibit a coherent geographic structure for most traits, while among-population divergence does, suggesting that different mechanisms may underlie the generation of diversity at these two levels. Furthermore, the association of phenotypic variation with genetic and environmental factors varied extensively between hierarchical levels and across traits, hampering the identification of simple rules to explain what yields diversity. Conclusions: Our results in some cases comply with general ecological and evolutionary predictions, but in others they are difficult to explain in the geographic framework used, suggesting that habitat characteristics and other regulatory mechanisms may have a more substantial contribution in shaping phenotypic diversity.