Species:

Podarcis raffonei  (MERTENS, 1952)

Subspecies (2):

Podarcis raffonei raffonei  (MERTENS, 1952)

Podarcis raffonei alvearioi  (MERTENS, 1955)

Synonyms:

Lacerta raffonei  MERTENS, 1952

Podarcis raffonei  CORTI & LO CASCIO, 2002

Common names:

Aeolian Wall Lizard (English)
Liparische Inseleidechse (German)

Types:

raffonei: Holotype: SMF 43919., adult male; collected by Antonino TRISCHITTA, 31 May 1951.

alvearioi: Holotype: SMF 48296; paraypes: NMW 15746:1,2

Terra Typica:

raffonei: Strombolicchio island near Stromboli, Aeolian Islands (north of Sicily).

alvearioi: Faraglione Pollara (= Scoglio Faraglione) at Salina, Aeolian Islands.

Taxonomic notes:

Ist mit P. waglerianus sehr eng verwandt. Das zersplitterte Areal ist wahrscheinlich auf Verdrängung durch die fast im gesamten ursprünglichen Verbreitungsgebiet eingeschleppte Art Podarcis siculus zurückzuführen.

WERNER MAYER, 2015

Relevant taxonomic literature:

• Mertens, R. (1952) -  Description of Podarcis raffonei raffonei. -  In: “Neue Eidechsenrassen von den Liparischen Inseln”. Senckenbergiana, Frankfurt/Main, 32: 309-314.   

  ×

• Capula, M. (1994) -  Genetic variation and differentiation in the lizard, Podarcis wagleriana (Reptilia: Lacertidae). -  Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 52 (2): 177-196.   

  ×

• Capula, M. (2004) -  Low genetic variation in a critically endangered Mediterranean lizard: conservation concerns for Podarcis raffonei (Reptilia, Lacertidae). -  Italian Journal of Zoology, 71, Supplement 1: 161-166.    

  ×

  The conservation status of Podarcis raffonei, native to the Aeolian Islands (north cast of Sicily, Tyrrhenian Sea), is assessed by studying its genetic structure and evidencing factors affecting the survival of the species. Genetic variation in the species is quite low and genetic subdivision is high, as compared to other lacertid lizards and to vertebrates in general. Very little gene flow was detected, implying little or no contact between populations. The four remaining populations of P. raffonei are under severe threat from the effects of habitat alteration, interspecific competition, collecting and trade, very low population density and inbreeding, population fragmentation, and apparent loss of genetic variation. Possible management and conservation measures are suggested.

• Capula, M. (2006) -  Population heterogeneity and conservation of the Aeolian wall lizard, Podarcis raffonei. -  In: Corti, C., Cascio, P.L. & M. Biaggini (eds): Mainland and insular lacertid lizards: a mediterranean perspective. – Firenze University Press, Firenze. 24-32.  

  ×

  The conservation status of Podarcis raffonei, native to the Aeolian Islands (north-east of Sicily, Tyrrhenian Sea), is assessed anaslyzing in genetic structure and evidencing factors affecting the survival of the species. Genetiv variation in the species is quite low and genetic subdivision is high, as compared to other lacertid lizards. The four remaining populations of P. raffonei are under severe threat from the effects of habitat alteration, interspecific competition, collecting and trade, very low population density and inbreeding, population fragmentation, and apparent loss of genetic variation. Possible management and conservation measures are suggested.