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A number of aspects of the hibernation of the viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) in the Asian part of its range are analyzed. The results of our own field work for the period from 1971 to 2022 in the Altai Republic (Altai Nature Reserve, Tomsk, Kemerovo, Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions are used). Within 17 localities of the foothill and flat parts of the south of Western Siberia (51°22΄ – 57°04΄ N, 57°33΄ – 88°08΄ E), 54 wintering sites were recorded. 173 li-zards of different sexes and ages were noted in the wintering shelters. The greatest number of hibernations – 75.9% – were found in agrogenic soil (vegetable gardens, arable land, orchards). In the soil at a depth of 15 – 25 cm, the number of hibernation shelters is 2.8 times greater and the number of lizards hibernating in them is 1.5 times greater than at a depth of 0 – 15 cm (p < 0.01). Lizards hibernate alone (44.2%) or in groups (2 individuals – 20.4%, 3 – 19%, 4 and 5 – 5.6% each, 6 – 7.1%, 9, 14 and 40 – 1.85% each). The body of a single wintering individual is curled into a ring or a flattened spiral. In groups, lizards were in balls of different sizes. Z. vivipara has been found to have fluctuations in the timing of wintering and spring emergence, as well as the duration of the active period, which is determined by a set of environmental factors of a particular year. The results of research in the reserve from 1971 to 2017 show that Z. vivipara can be considered a phenological bioindicator, which is manifested in the shift in the emergence of lizards from wintering to earlier dates.

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Since 2020, the Northern Ruin Lizard Podarcis siculus campestris is known from the premises of a local garden association situated in Northwestern Cologne, Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany. The location and its lizard population are presented in detail. In spite of purported sightings of animals by neighbours, their presence outside the garden area cannot be confirmed. The surrounding areas of open grassland devoid of hedges, dense bushland, and dense forest are not suitable for the lizards due to a lack of naked areas, water and refuges. The nearest railway tracks are about 1 km away; neither the area of the high voltage transformation station nor its power lines render a suitable habitat. As there is no reptile lover around, it has to be assumed that the lizards came with imported garden plants. They have not (yet) reached a maximum population density giving incentive for a displacement of juveniles and semi-adults into the neighood.

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The ecology and reproductive biology of Acanthodactylus schmidti (lacertidae) in Central Arabia north of Riyadh was studied from 1983 to 1985. The ecology of Acanthodactylus boskianus was also studied as a comparison during the same period. Growth of both species, survival and the morphological adaptations to the desert environment were examined. Home range size of both species was estimated in the study area. Home range size of male A. schmidti was four times that of the female`s home range during spring. The male A. boskianus home range was about two times greater than that of the females. Utilization of home range and the social interactions of invdividuals of both species was investigated. Home range overlap, burrowing behaviour and burrow structure was also examined in the field. Male A. schmidti were observed to defend their home range against other males during spring. Activity and thermal ecology of both species was studied during winter and spring. Emergence behaviour, basking behaviour, daily and seasonal activity was studied and analysed. Both species were active throughout the year. However, it was found that during winter, activity was unimodal, which contrasted with the bimodal pattern during spring. The winter mean eccritic body temperature was 33.0 and 34.1oC for A. schmidti and A. boskianus respectively, and 36oC, 35.3oC during spring. A. schmidti was found to thermoregulate more effectively than A. boskianus during both winter and spring. Selected body temperature and critical minimum of both species were studied and measured in the laboratory. The reproductive biology of A. schmidti was studied in some detail. The reproductive season commenced in November and continued throughout May and was found to coincide with the rainy season of the area. Young lizards were observed between February and mid-June. This suggests the presence of multiple clutches (possibly 2-3) during the reproduction season. It was concluded that multiple clutches were an important adaptation for lizards in such an unpredictable desert environment. Reproductive behaviour, male and female reproductive cycle, and fat body cycle also were studied. Finally, the general ecology and conservation of Arabian desert reptiles is discussed and suggestions for management of desert reptile communities are suggested. (D73648/87)

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The reptile and amphibian fauna of the Yentu mountain area, Bacgiang province is very rich in species composition, with 101 herptile species belonging to 5 orders, 25 families. Among them, 41 amphibian species (about 25.3% of total species of Vietnam) belonging to 8 families, 3 orders and 58 reptilian species (about 20.27% of total species of Vietnam) belonging to 17 families, 2 orders, were recorded in this area. 4 species of them were endemic of Vietnam; 20 species were listed in Red Data Book of Vietnam (2000); 11 species listed in the IUCN Red List (2004) and 11species listed in the Governmental Decree 32/2006 ND-CP.

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Eleven out of 42 (26.2%) lizards Acanthodactylus schmidti were found harboring haemogregarines in their peripheral blood. The erythrocytic stages were differentiated into 2 forms: the young form (trophozoite) measured 12.5 +/- 0.5 x 1.7 +/- 0.3 microm and the large mature form (gametocyte) measured 19.8 +/- 1.7 x 1.7 +/- 0.3 microm. The infected erythrocytes were distorted from 16.0 +/- 1.2 x 9.2 +/- 0.2 microm to 20.2 +/- 1.8 x 6.7 +/- 0.8 microm, hypertrophied and faintly stained. None of the leucocytes seemed to be parasitized by the present parasite. Schizogony took place in the endothelial cells of lung capillaries and parenchyma of liver. Two types of schizonts were recorded; microschizonts of 9.35 x 9.65 +/- 0.38 microm and macroschizonts of 25.36 +/-1.81 x 20.35 +/- 0.82 microm. The microschizonts produced 6-12 merozoites, while the macroschizonts produced 18-36 merozoites, however there were no differences between both merozoites, each measured 11.54 +/- 0.81 x 1.41 +/- 0.71 microm. The infected host cells were markedly hypertrophied with noticeable irregularity and faint stainability as well as some vacuolation, necrosis or shrinkage and necrosis.

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Amphibians and reptiles of the Başkomutan Historical National Park (B.H.N.P), situated within the borders of Afyonkarahisar province, were investigated between 2009 and 2013. Among the total 106 specimens collected from field work, 21 amphibians and reptiles belong to 13 families were identified. Of these, 1 was urodelan, 6 were anuran, 1 was a turtle, 1 was a tortoise, 7 were lizards and 5 were snakes. A zoogeographic analysis showed that the herpetofauna of B.H.N.P could be classified into at least 9 chorotypes in total. The most dominant chorotype being the Eastern-Mediterranean with 5 species, followed by the Turano-Europeo-Mediterranean and Turano-Mediterranean with four and Endemics Anatolia with three species. Detailed distribution data of this study could be basis for future action plans, protection and conservation measures of amphibian and reptiles in B.H.N.P.

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The name Ibiza, Ebusus, Ebesos, means «Island of Bes», god who drives snakes away. With a marked Phoenician cultural influence, snakes have never been observed in the Pitiusas at historical time. This absence and the great density and diversity of lizards (Podarcis pityusensis) is an ecological characteristic, but assumed as a sign of personal and social identity. The arrival of snakes from 2003 alarmed the entire Ibiza society. Aware of the scarcity of governmental human resources available in front of the enormous problem of invasive snakes, the Institut d’Estudis Eivissencs in 2020 structured a volunteer group that maintains snake traps scattered throughout the island ofIbiza. Taking advantage of the dispersed distribution of housing throughout the island territory. To activate a trap requires to take care of a live mouse that has to be visited constantly, assumable task for a volunteer who lives in the area. The mapped data obtained with 334 traps during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns are presented. The sense of East-West colonization is appreciated with a strip in the center of the island with increasing catches. To the east, area where traps have been installed during longer time, catches tend to decrease. While to the west of this strip we can see an area, without captures, not yet colonized by invasive snakes.

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Within the families Agamidae, Lacertidae and Scincidae, the carpal and tarsal elements, the sesamoidea and the ossification pattern show considerable variability. Furthermore, carpal and tarsal structure in the lizards studied here is not unique to the genera in question and identical or very similar conditions occur in other lizards. These elements contain sufficient anatomical information to make them taxonomically valuable.

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Urbanization shapes global patterns of biodiversity. While often driving biodiversity loss and biotic homogenization, urban areas could paradoxically act as refugia for species threatened by other global change drivers, such as biological invasions. Despite growing interest in their conservation potential, a lack of robust empirical studies unveiling how urban refugia emerge and contribute to species persistence hinders our ability to leverage urban areas to minimize global biodiversity loss. Here, we examined whether and how urban areas promote the persistence of a keystone, endangered endemic Mediterranean island lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) threatened by a rapidly spreading invasive snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis). By integrating field transects, citizen science data, snake trapping, and population dynamics models, we show that invasive snakes drive rapid lizard extirpation in natural areas, but urbanization buffers this effect, enabling local persistence. Intensive snake trapping revealed that urbanization hinders snake spread, acting as an ecological filter. Finally, population dynamics models show that, contrary to a source-sink model, urban lizard populations can persist in the mid-term without immigration, as surrounding peri-urban populations have collapsed under sustained predation pressure by the invasive snake. Our findings provide empirical evidence of how urban areas can effectively act as refugia for threatened species, emphasizing their importance in global biodiversity conservation strategies.

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Weather conditions are important factors determining the activity, and consequently detection probability of animals. Especially in ectotherms from temperate habitats, activity can vary strongly depending on weather. The sand lizard Lacerta agilis is a wide‐ranging lizard that is often subject to environmental impact assessments due to its proximity to humans and prevalence as a candidate for compensatory measures according to the Flora and Fauna Habitat Directive of the European Union. Lacerta agilis has been studied extensively at certain edges of its distribution, but studies focusing on the core range have been rare. We use Bayesian models in order to identify the best explaining weather variables out of a large variety of available variables for a population of Lacerta agilis in western Germany. We furthermore depict their interactions with an easy‐to‐understand regression tree model. Sand lizards have shown to be more active during dry conditions with low windspeeds. They further are best found after sunny weather with temperatures around 20°C. Rainfall in the previous 24 hours also increases the detection probability. An unpruned regression tree reaffirms the results while giving concrete variable values and exploring how the values influence each other. Overall, the method delivers a decision tree based on easy‐to‐obtain weather variables that allows for post‐survey analysis and for determination of the best survey conditions.

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Background The lacertid genus Mesalina has been the subject of several phylogenetic and biogeographic studies as well as taxonomic revisions within the last decade. The genus is partitioned into seven main clades, some of which represent species complexes of morphologically very similar species. The Mesalina guttulata species complex is one such case. This complex currently comprises four described species that occur through Arabia and northern Africa, however, the presence of a cryptic species in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan was pointed out recently. For this study, we collected new material of the various species of the M. guttulata complex, including the undescribed lineage from across Saudi Arabia. We carried out multilocus phylogenetic analyses using three mitochondrial and three nuclear markers and analysis of morphological data to verify whether the undescribed lineage deserves a species rank.
Results The results show that the lineage is clearly genetically separated from the other species of the complex and shows morphological differentiation from the other species. Therefore, we describe it herein as a new species, Mesalina cryptica sp. nov.
Conclusions We contribute to the taxonomy of Arabian lacertid lizards by describing a new species distributed in central Saudi Arabia, with isolated populations occurring in Kuwait and Jordan. Despite its large range, the species is genetically and morphologically homogeneous. The gap in its distribution between the Jordan and Saudi Arabia populations is ascribable to the paucity of sampling along the Saudi/Iraqi border.
Keywords Lizards, Mesopotamia, Middle East, Sauria, Squamates, Reptiles, Taxonomy

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We reconsidered the taxonomy of lizards in Korea on the basis of morphological characters of collected specimens and previously published data. A total of 138 specimens were used in this study, which were collected from April 1996 to October 2005, From the observations, we presented keys to classify Korean lizards. Also, we indicated sampling sites for each species on the Korean map. In addition, we added some remarks on the distribution of Gekko japonicus, the study of genus Scincella and the synonym of genus Takydromus. Especially, it was uncertain whether the southern Korean Peninsula is a natural habitat of Takydromus tachydromoides oldi which will be necessary in further study.

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This article reports on years of successful keeping and breeding of the Greek Algyroides in indoor and outdoor terraria. It also reports on the socialisation with other species in the terrarium.

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On a day trip to Monfalcone on June 1, 2024, we were able to record four species of lacertid lizards on the outskirts of the town and in the surrounding area. The Blue-throated Keeled Lizard Algyroides nigropunctatus nigropunctatus, the Western Green Lizard Lacerta bilineata bilineata, the Dalmatian Wall Lizard Podarcis melisellensis fiumanus and the Common Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis maculiventris.

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In spring 2024, we travelled to Uzbekistan to visit architectural sights along the Silk Road as well as reptiles and amphibians, including lizards of the genus Eremias. The Eremias genus currently comprises 44 species and is widespread in numerous countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. They are small to medium-sized, diurnal lizards that live in arid regions. They are characterised by fringe-like appendages on their toes, which enable them to move quickly in the sand. The species observed are: Eremias velox (Pallas, 1771), Eremias lineolata (Nikolski, 1897) and Eremias nigrocellata Nikolski, 1896.

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The global initiative toward sustainability includes the long term protection of biodiversity. Northern and western Iran are part of the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hot spot that has many centers of endemism as a biogeographical center for the origin of many amphibian and reptile taxa. A high diversity of habitat types coupled with climatologically diverse environments result in the 13 different physiographic regions that support this biodiversity. The known herpetofauna of Iran comprises approximately 232 reptile and 22 amphibian species belonging to about 100 genera, 31 families, five orders and three suborders. The Squamata with 199 species in 78 genera and 18 families is the most specious reptilian order in Iran and account for approximately 85 percent of the herpetofauna. Fifty five endemic species in 11 families and 22 genera are considered here. At present, numerous factors, including habitat destruction through increased agriculture, as well as vegetation burning and climate change along with increasing risks of desertification have made a major impact on various ecosystems. Further, threats come from exotic species, the use of reptile products in traditional medicine and food, and pollution. There are ten Vulnerable, four Endangered, and seven Critically Endangered herpetofaunal elements in Iran. The establishment of protected areas, participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in herpetological conservation, and more research of taxonomy, species range and habitats, threats and their mitigation are required for the sustainable management of Iranian herpetofauna. A concerted Iranian and international program for the sustainable management of Iranian herpetofauna is required because of Iran’s biogeographic status, its high level of herpetological diversity and endemicity, and its importance as a global biodiversity hot spot.

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Reptiles in track ballast – Risk potential and measures for better protection during construction projects and maintenance work.

We present statements from federal authorities, German Railways, and our own data on the importance of track ballast for reptiles. Our observations range from high-speed lines to regional and disused railway tracks.

Wall lizards typically occur in high densities. In some cases, thousands per kilometre were recovered from track ballast. For sand lizards and slow worms, hundreds are not uncommon (or would be with appropriate catch periods). Snakes were recovered or captured in tens per kilometre of ballast.

Mortality rates during work on ballast depend in particular on the current proportion of reptiles in the ballast. This is influenced not least by the time of year, time of day, and weather conditions.

We present literature that emphasises very serious risks from work on gravel ballast. Elsewhere, a greater impact on reptiles is disputed or denied; so-called abstracts from authorities partly contradict the contents of studies.

According to our observations, wall lizards remain on and in the ballast when track construction trains/large machines are being used; this behaviour is likely to be typical for other reptiles as well. During hibernation in the ballast, snakes and lizards are unable to escape anyway.

We make suggestions for better protection during maintenance and construction work, including through expert supervision of careful excavation work in important reptile areas.

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In this study, 15 amphibian and reptile species were recorded from 12 different localities in the Camili Biosphere Reserve, known as the first biosphere site of Turkey. Two of these species are urodelan, four are anuran, four are Lacertilia and five are Ophidia. Two black coloured Natrix specimens collected from biosphere rezerve area are compered with literature data belongs to N. megalocephala. Moreover, the population and habitat status of threatened species were investigated, required conservation measures were explained.