×

Considerable attention has been given lately to the effects of habitat fragmentation and destruction on wildlife. Here, we summarize their effects on animal abundance and plant cover during a three-year study period ( 1987- 90) of the sand dunes of the coastal plain of Israel. Populations of the gray monitor Varanus griseus, the spur-thighed tortoise Testudo graeca, and the mountain gazelle Gazella gazella in the study area declined markedly and plant cover increased significantly. Habitat destruction and fragmentation, introduced animals (especially dogs and carrion crows), a continuing change in the native herbivore fauna, and blockage of wind-borne sand are all believed to be responsible for the observed changes. We recommend that small areas, unsuitable for full protection, be declared `city reserves,` to be used for educational and recreational purposes. Nature reserves need to be managed in order to maintain the existing fauna and flora.

×

Resource-limited environments may drive the rapid evolution of phenotypic traits and ecological preferences optimizing the exploitation of resources. Very small islands are often charac- terized by reduced food availability, seasonal fluctuations in resources and strong unpredictability. These features may drive the evolution of phenotypic traits such as high bite forces, allowing animals to exploit a wider variety of the available resources. They may also lead to more generalist dietary patterns in response to food scarcity. However, the lack of predators and competitors on such small islands often also leads to high densities and the evolution of strong sexual dimorphism, which may also drive the evolution of bite force. Here, we take advantage of a unique replicated introduction experiment to test whether lizards introduced into very small islands alter their feeding ecology and use different resources, resulting in the evolution of a large body size, large head size and large bite forces. Our results show that three years after their introduction, the island lizards were larger and had greater bite forces and more pronounced sexual dimorphism. However, the diets were only marginally different between animals from the source population on a very large nearby island and those on the islets. Moreover, distinct differences in diet between animals on the different islets were observed, suggesting that the local environment is a strong driver of resource use. Overall, lizards with absolutely and relatively (adjusted for body size) large bite forces did eat larger and harder prey. Taken together, our data suggest that intraspecific competition is an important driver of the rapid evolution of bite force, which may allow these lizards to exploit the scarce and fluctuating resources on the islets. Whether or not lizards will evolve to include other types of food such as plants in their diet, facilitated by their large bite forces, remains to be explored in future studies.

×

Objectives This study is performed in the frame of a bigger study dedicated to genomics and transcriptomics of parthenogenesis in vertebrates. Among vertebrates, obligate parthenogenesis was first described in the lizards of the genus Darevskia. In this genus, all found parthenogenetic species originated via interspecific hybridization. It remains unknown which genetic or genomic factors play a key role in the generation of parthenogenetic organisms. Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of parthenogens and their parental species may elucidate this problem. Darevskia valentini is a paternal species for four (of seven) parthenogens of this genus, which we promote as a particularly important species for the generation of parthenogenetic forms. Data description Total cellular RNA was isolated from kidney and liver tissues using the standard Trizol Tissue RNA Extraction protocol. Sequencing of transcriptome libraries prepared by random fragmentation of cDNA samples was performed on an Illumina HiSeq2500. Obtained raw sequences contained 117,6 million reads with the GC content of 47%. After preprocessing, raw data was assembled by Trinity and produced 491,482 contigs. Keywords Caucasian rock lizards, genus Darevskia, interspecific hybridization, parthenogenesis, Darevskia valentini, transcriptome assembly.

×

Some aspects of the herpetofauna of an area of the exterior mountain-chain of Western Catalan Pre-Pyrenees are analized. This area is a transition from dry Mediterranean plain -influenced by continental climate- to middle Mediterranean mountain- with eurosiberian influence-. Although characteristic Mediterranean elements (ibero-mogrebian) prevail, this transition character appears also in herpetology. The most representative species of both areas are: Euproctus asper (from the Pyrenees), Anguis fragilis, Vipera aspis (of central Europe) and Pelobates cultripes, Coluber hippocrepis, Psammodromus hispanicus (of ibero-mogrebian origin). In this area 22 species have been found: 8 Amphibians and 14 or 15 Reptiles (depending on the acceptance of the presence of Podarcis muralis).

×

Mount Madran is located within Aydın Province and contains lots of types of ecosystems. With this study, amphibian and reptile species of Madran was tried to determine. Specimens which were collected on September 2011 and April-May 2012 were investigated in terms of some morphological characteristics like number of scales and plates, color and pattern characteristics, and body measurements and ratio. Information about ecological and biological characteristics of determined species from study area were also given. In this study, totally 23 species with 3 amphibian and 20 reptiles were determined and were expected to contribute Turkish Herpetofauna.

×

Background. Reliable identification of animal taxa characterized by weak mor-phological differences and, at the same time, by significant genetic differentiation is essential condition for the study of biological diversity. The authors set the task of developing test systems using the PCR-RFLP method for the identification of mitochondrial lineages of the Crimean rock lizard Darevskia lindholmi (Szczerbak, 1962), an endemic of Crimea, which is distributed exclusively in the mountainous part of the peninsula. Materials and methods. Based on the analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b gene of the mitochondrial DNA of D. lindholmi, a search for marker nucleotide substitutions specific for each lineage and recognition sites for the HaeIII and TasI restriction endonucleases was carried out. Results. The use of the HaeIII restriction enzyme makes it possible to identify only one, the most differentiated lineage, while the TasI restriction enzyme allows an iden-tification of all three known mitochondrial lineages. Conclusions. The test system proposed by the authors is a simple and reliable method for identifying mitochondrial lineages of the Crimean rock lizard and can be successfully applied in screening studies.

×

The extant reptiles are one of the most diverse clades among terrestrial vertebrates and one of a few groups with instances of parthenogenesis. Due to the hybrid origin of parthenogenetic species, reference genomes of the parental species as well as of the parthenogenetic progeny are indispensable to explore the genetic foundations of parthenogenetic reproduction. Here, we report on the first genome assembly of rock lizard Darevskia valentini, a paternal species for several parthenogenetic lineages. The novel genome was used in the reconstruction of the comprehensive phylogeny of Squamata inferred independently from 7369 trees of single-copy orthologs and a supermatrix of 378 conserved proteins. We also investigated Hox clusters, the loci that are often regarded as playing an important role in the speciation of animal groups with drastically diverse morphology. We demonstrated that Hox clusters of D. valentini are invaded with transposons and contain the HoxC1 gene that has been considered to be lost in the amniote ancestor. This study provides confirmation for previous works and releases new genomic data that will contribute to future discoveries on the mechanisms of parthenogenesis as well as support comparative studies among reptiles.

×

Background: Human values and folklore of wildlife strongly influence the effectiveness of conservation efforts. These values and folklore may also vary with certain demographic characteristics such as gender, age, or education. Reptiles and amphibians are among the least appreciated of vertebrates and are victims of many negative values and wrong ideas resulting from the direct interpretation of folklore. We try to demonstrate how these values and folklore can affect the way people relate to them and also the possible conservation impacts on these animals. Methods: A questionnaire survey distributed to 514 people in the district of Évora, Portugal, was used to obtain data regarding the hypothesis that the existence of wrong ideas and negative values contributes to the phenomenon of human-associated persecution of these animals. A structural equation model was specified in order to confirm the hypothesis about the possible relationships between the presence of perceptions and negative values about amphibians and reptiles and persecution and anti-conservation attitudes. Sociodemographic variables were also added. Results: The results of the model suggest that the presence of folklore and negative values clearly predicts persecution and anti-conservation attitudes towards amphibians and reptiles. Also, the existence of folklore varies sociodemographically, but negative values concerning these animals are widespread in the population. Conclusions: With the use of structural equation models, this work is a contribution to the study of how certain ideas and values can directly influence human attitudes towards herpetofauna and how they can be a serious conservation issue.

×

Im Rahmen eines Kreuzotter-Monitoring-Projektes wurden in Brandenburg gezielt phänologische Daten zur Kreuzotter (Vipera berus), aber auch zur Ringelnatter (Natrix natrix), Zauneidechse (Lacerta agilis), Waldeidechse (Zootoca vivipara) und Blindschleiche (Anguis fragilis) gesammelt. Der Schwerpunkt lag vor allem auf der Ermittlung der Aktivitätszeiträume der einzelnen Arten. Im Laufe der 10 Untersuchungsjahre von 2006-2015 wurden insgesamt 220 Begehungen in den Monaten Oktober bis März durchgeführt. Um die Ergebnisse der verschiedenen Jahre besser vergleichen zu können, wurde aus dem Aktivitätsbeginn und dem Aktivitätsende der einzelnen Jahre der Median berechnet. Das Ergebnis zeigt, dass die Kreuzotter (Vipera berus) den mit Abstand längsten Aktivitätszeitraum mit einem Median von 256 Tagen hat. Es folgt die Waldeidechse mit 223Tagen und dahinter die Zauneidechse mit 277 Tagen. Die Ringelnatter verzeichnet dagegen nur noch 202,5 Tage und die Blindschleiche 188 Tage. Der Vergleich mit Literaturangaben aus Deutschland zeigt weitgehende Übereinstimmungen für die Ringelnatter, Zauneiclechse und Waldeidechse. Bei der Kreuzotter und Blindschleiche gibt es hingegen erhebliche Abweichungen. Speziell der ermittelte Wert für das Aktivitätsende der Kreuzotter liegt mit dem 14. November als Median deutlich später im Vergleich zu den Literaturangaben. Ausschlaggebend für lange Aktivitätszeiträume scheinen vor allem geschützte Winterquartiere möglichst nahe an mikroklimatisch begünstigten Sonnenplätzen zu sein.

×

Asexuality in vertebrates is often generated via hybridization, but is it a rare product of pervasive hybridization or a common product of rare hybridization? Freitas et al. show that hybridization is frequent among the sexual species of Darevskia, although the crossings between parents of the asexual hybrids are undetected. This study illustrates that hybridization is not extraordinary in nature, and thus scalable phylogenetic network inference methods, rather than phylogenetic trees, are needed to accurately represent the true evolutionary history.

×

The link between ecology and economies is manifest over the umrld as a result of long-term processes. But because these processes are long term, it is bard to prove the link. On Sardinia serious economic development was late to arrive, having occurred only over the last few decades. As a case study, research was carried out for 10 years on the state of nature as well as the economic growth in one of the least developed areas abutting the Gulf of Orosei on the east coast Based on research and lasting attention to political affairs concerning the projecg we formulate general recommendations for the area In 1995, the Italian Government will he asked by the European Government to undertake serious steps to save endemics (especially herpetofauna) of Europe`s last pristine areas.

×

Fourty two lizard species are distrubuted in Turkey. In this study, ıt is aimed that seven host species of Lacertidae family are determined helminth fauna -D. armeniaca (Hemşin lizard), D. derjugini (Artvin lizard), D. parvula (Gürcü lizard), D. raddei (Radde lizard), D. rudis (Trabzon lizard), D. unisexualis (Ağrı lizard), D. valentini (Valentin lizard). It was applied firstly classical taxonomy to morphological characters and then DNA sequence analysis in determining fauna. Ten species identified are member of phylum: Nematoda. These species are: two of genus; Skrjabinodon medinae, S. alcaraziensis, Spauligodon sp., S. carbonelli, S. aloisei, Skrjabinelazia hoffmanni, Strongyloides darevsky, Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Thubunae sp., Acuaridae larva; 2 Sestod Oochoristica tuberculata and Mesocestoides spp. and 1 Akantosefal Sphaerirostris scanensis. Totally 13 helminth species are reported. It has been confirmed that present of parasite species identified according to morphological, anatomical and ecological characteristics with determining target genom of helminthes. The results of morphologic and molecular support each other. Four species- one of them is larva-of identified 13 helminth species are new record of Turkish helminth fauna.

×

Herpetofauna of the vicinity of Meke Maar (Konya) -- In this study, the amphibian and reptile species distributing the vicinity of Meke Maar were determined and it is tried to provide missing information about herpetofauna of the region. A total of 15 species including 1 anuran, 1 tortoise, 7 lizards and 6 snakes were identified as a result of the field studies.

×

In dieser Arbeit wurde aus 71 Inseln, die zwischen Izmir und Bodrum liegen, erstmals gesammelten herpetologisches Material (909 Examplare) taxonomisch untersucht. Darin sind vorläufig insgesamt 16 Arten oder Unterarten festgestellt worden, von denen 1 Frosch-, 1 Schildkröte-, 7 Eidechsen-, und 7 Schlangenarten sind. Wie alle Inselformen zeigen sie keine bemerkenswerten Unterschiede von den in Anatolien lebenden Arten. Ausserdem haben wir von einigen Inseln ungeflecktes Ophisops elegans Material und von anderen einigen gefleckte Eirenis modestus Exemplare gesammelt. Man braucht nochmals ausführliche Arbeiten oder man soll serologische Methoden benutzen, um den taxonomischen Status von beiden Formen zuklären. Für die Unterartgliederung von Cyrtodactylus kotschyi soll man aus dem noch südlichen türkischen Inseln neue und genügendes Material sammeln.

×

Se describe por primera vez el comportamiento de rehidratación de Scelarcis perspicillata. En julio de 2022 se pudo observar un espécimen salvaje lamiendo las gotas de agua del rocío en varias hojas de una alcaparra Capparis spinosa. Esta fuente de humedad puede ser la única disponible durante los meses de verano en los hábitats rocosos poco vegetados que ocupa esta especie en Menorca.

×

In this study, we aimed to determine the amphibian and reptile species distributed in Agri province (Turkey), as well the major factors threatening the species. For this purpose, we conducted 4 field excursions (20 days totally) at 223 different point, covering all the squares of 1:25.000 layout map. As a result of the literature and field survey, we recorded 4 anuran (Pseudepidalea variabilis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana camerani, R. macrocnemis), 2 chelonian (Mauremys caspica, Testudo graeca), 16 lizard (Paralaudakia caucasia, Phrynocephalus horvathi, Ablepharus bivittatus, Trachylepis aurata, Darevskia bendimahiensis, D. raddei, D. valentini, D. sapphirina, D. unisexualis, D. uzzelli, Eremias suphani, E. strauchi, E. pleskei, Lacerta media, Ophisops elegans, Parvilacerta parvd) and 14 snake (Typhlops vermicularis, Dolichophis jugularis, D. schmidti, Eirenis eiselti, E. modestus, E. collaris, Coronella austriaca, Hemorrhois ravergieri, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Platyceps najadum, Eryx jaculus, Montivipera wagneri, M raddei) species in Agri province, which is totally 4 amphibians and 32 reptiles. Three Anatolian endemic species (Darevskia sapphirina, Eirenis eiselti, Montivipera wagneri) and 7 species more was recorded in Agri as s first time in the literture. Taking into account the very limited herpetofaunal information available in the literature for Agri province, a significant contribution was made with this work. This study was conducted as a part of `The Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks National Biodiversity Inventory and Monitoring Project`.

×

This is our fifth report in a series on our whereabouts while collecting data for a future revision of the present subspecific order of the endemic Balearic sisterspecies Podarcis lilfordi (GÜNTHER, 1874) and Podarcis pityusensis (BOSCÁ, 1883), which data are stored in our free accessible database at www.pityusensis.nl (VAN DEN BERG & ZAWADZKI 2011 ; VAN DEN BERG et al. 2013 ; VAN DEN BERG et al. 2014a ; VAN DEN BERG et al. 2014b). During this trip from the 9th of May until the 23rd of May 2015, we were able to collect data on a few mainland Ibiza locations, as well as the following adjacent islands: Punta Galera, Es Canaret, Illa de la Xanga (Sal Rossa), Pouet de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Purroig, Es Vedrà, Rates, Malví Pla (North), Malví Rodó (South), S’Espardell, Calders, Penjats and Ses Margalides. We continue with the ventral coloration as a possible determining key as introduced in our 2014 trip report (VAN DEN BERG et al. 2014b). Images of the anal shields are presented of each lizard for purposes of illustration.

×

Die primär für Wildpflanzen, Insekten und speziell Reptilien optimal gestaltete und gepflegte Naturschutzfläche von 11.000 Quadratmetern Größe liegt im Niederrheinischen Tiefland (Kreis Wesel, NRW). Sie war von 1987-2012 Privateigentum der Eheleute Freundt, seit 2013 ist sie im Besitz der NABU-Stiftung Naturerbe NRW, Unterstiftung „Biotop Freundt“. Hier wurde von 2010-2015 die individuenreiche Zauneidechsen-Population (Lacerta agilis) mit Hilfe der fotografischen Wiedererkennungsmethode untersucht. In dieser sechsjährigen privaten Freiland- Forschung wurden umfangreiche Daten über den Bestand, der zwischen 191 und 321 Individuen schwankte, gesammelt und dokumentiert. Weiterhin wurden untersucht: Phänologie, Dauer der Winterruhe, Verhalten, Populationsdynamik und das erreichte Maximalalter der Zauneidechsen im Freiland. Mit umfangreichen Daten wird belegt, daß im Durchschnitt nur 17 % der Tiere eines Jahrgangs das 3. Kalenderjahr erreichten. Die ältesten Tiere während der gesamten Untersuchungszeit waren ein Männchen im 7., ein weiteres Männchen und acht Weibchen im 6. Kalenderjahr. Auswirkungen des Wetters werden nachgewiesen, möglicher Einfluß des Klimawandels auf die Zauneidechsen wird diskutiert. Vier Tiere werden mit ihrer Biografie ausführlich vorgestellt, viele Beobachtungen und Erkenntnisse mit zahlreichen Farbfotos belegt.

×

This study was aimed to determine the amphibian and reptilian species of Sanliurfa Kizilkuyu Wildlife Conservation and Development Area. For this study, Adiyaman University Zoology Museum (ZMADYU) samples as well as the results of the field survey that was carried out between 2016 November-2018 May, were evaluated. As a result of the relevant literature and field studies; 1 chelonian species (Testudo graeca), 3 anuran amphibians species (Bufotes variabilis, Pelophylax ridibundus and Hyla savignyi), 11 lizards (Stellagama stellio, Mediodactylus heterocercus, Eublepharis angramainyu, Heremites auratus, H. vittatus, Chalcides ocellatus, Eumeces schneideri, Ophisops elegans, Apathya cappadocica, Trapelus lessonae and Varanus griseus) and 11 snake species (Malpolon insignitus, Platyceps najadum, Eirenis eiselti, E. occidentalis, Xerotyphlops vermicularis, Myriopholis macrorhyncha, Letheobia episcopus, Eryx jaculus, Macrovipera lebetina and Walterinnesia morgani) totally 26 herptil species were determined in the study area. L. episcopus is an endemic species to Sanliurfa among these species. The E. angramainyu is known only from Sanliurfa in Turkey. According to IUCN data; 1 species is in Critical (VU), 10 species are in least concern (LC), 3 species are data deficient (DD) and 12 species are in not evaluated (NE) state. According to the BERN Conservation 5 species are in appendix II and 21 species are in appendix III. Also, according to the CITES Conservation 3 species are in appendix II and 23 species are not included in the appendix lists. 48 amphibian and reptilian species have been determined in Sanliurfa until now. As a result of the present study, it was determined that Sanliurfa Kizilkuyu Wildlife Conservation and Development Area, consist os 54.17’% of the herpetofauna of Sanliurfa province.

×

The relationship between a reptile and its thermal environment is a key feature of habitat use, which may be impacted by, among others, the requirements for food, avoidance of competitors and predators. Juvenile lizards are subject to the same ecological pressures, but may additionally experience predation or exclusionfrom prime basking site by adults and hence their capacity to achieve preferred body temperatures. In this paper, we examined basking site selection in juvenile western green lizards, Lacerta bilineata and compared them to basking site availability. Secondly, measurements of morning substrate temperatures at different basking sites were compared to basking site selection over the same period. The results indicated that juveniles selected substrates with fast heating surfaces, for example fallen branches for basking, in greater frequency than their availability but in even greater than expected frequency on the cooler surfaces of clusters of bramble plant. This finding contrasted with basking site selection in adult L. bilineata in a previous study where wood surfaces was preferred over non-wood surfaces whilst avoiding basking on bramble. This illustrates the different ecological requirements between adults and juveniles.

×

Although distribution databases are a dynamic tool, continuously updated, it is important to take “snapshots” of the species distribution over time to promptly identify potential conservation issues. With this work, we provide an update of the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in Sardinia and satellite islands. Data derive from both direct field observations (carried out since 2005 until July 2022) and literature, accounting for over 7000 records: 1416 records of 11 species of amphibians and 5600 records of 18 species of reptiles. Distribution maps (on 10 × 10 km UTM grid) of 29 species are provided in supplementary materials as well as the updated list of the amphibians and reptiles occurring in the circum-Sardinian islands. Most of the meshes were characterized by the presence of 1-3 amphibian species (73%) and 6-8 or 9-11 reptile species (32% with 6-8 species, 30% with 9-11 species). Species abundance was favoured by environmental heterogeneity, and mostly varied in relation to elevation range and edge density.

×

Background. Integrative studies of animals and associated microbial assemblages (i.e., the holobiont) are rapidly changing our perspectives on organismal ecology and evolution. Insular vertebrates provide ideal natural systems to understand patterns of host-gut microbiota coevolution, the resilience and plasticity these microbial communities over temporal and spatial scales, and ultimately their role in the host ecological adaptation. -- Methods. Here we used the endemic Balearic wall lizard Podarcis lilfordi to dissect the drivers of the microbial diversity within and across host allopatric populations/islets. By focusing on three extensively studied populations/islets of Mallorca (Spain) and fecal sampling from individually identified lizards along two years (both in spring and autumn), we sorted out the effect of islet, sex, life stage, year and season on the microbiota composition. We further related microbiota diversity to host genetics, trophic ecology and expected annual metabolic changes. -- Results. All the three populations showed a remarkable conservation of the major microbial taxonomic profile, while carrying their unique microbial signature at finer level of taxonomic resolution (Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs)). Microbiota distances across populations were compatible with both host genetics (based on microsatellites) and trophic niche distances (based on stable isotopes and fecal content). Within populations, a large proportion of ASVs (30–50%) were recurrently found along the four sampling dates. The microbial diversity was strongly marked by seasonality, with no sex effect and a marginal life stage and annual effect. The microbiota showed seasonal fluctuations along the two sampled years, primarily due to changes in the relative abundances of fermentative bacteria (mostly families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae), without any major compositional turnover. -- Conclusions. These results support a large resilience of the major compositional aspects of the P. lilfordi gut microbiota over the short-term evolutionary divergence of their host allopatric populations (<10,000 years), but also indicate an undergoing process of parallel diversification of the both host and associated gut microbes. Predictable seasonal dynamics in microbiota diversity suggests a role of microbiota plasticity in the lizards’ metabolic adaptation to their resource-constrained insular environments. Overall, our study supports the need for longitudinal and integrative studies of host and associated microbes in natural systems.

×

Three new records of morphological anomalies in amphibians and reptiles from the Montseny area (Catalonia) are presented: a first case of ectrodactyly in a subadult individual of Discoglossus galganoi, a second case of amely (ectromely) in a tadpole of Bufo spinosus, and a third case of a teratological tail-like limb in a subadult individual of Podarcis muralis, and their possible causes are discussed.

×

We here report the unexpected presence of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris) on Gorgona Island, in the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano (Tuscan Archipelago, Tyrrhenian Sea, Tuscany, Central Italy). Field observations were carried out in 2020 confirming its presence on the island, where it had never been reported before. We recorded 37 GPS points of the species in three major areas of Gorgona (with 50 lizard records) and about 180 visual counts regarding all age classes (newborns, juveniles and adults). The species was found in the urban area (site of state prison) and in two grassy and bushed areas, around and along olive tree plantations. Seven individuals were captured and their tails were used to assess the sequence variation of the mitochondrial CYB gene. Biometrical parameters were also evaluated for six of these individuals. We detected three distinct CYB haplotypes that were compared to Podarcis siculus CYB sequences available in public databases. They resulted identical or phylogenetically closest to those found in mainland Tuscany. One haplotype, found in three specimens, was identical to one previously detected at Orti Bottagone (WWF Oasis in Piombino), while the other two haplotypes were most similar to haplotypes reported in the Giannella peninsula and Pisa, respectively.

×

In recent decades, many reptile species have been introduced outside their native ranges, either accidentally through the transportation of goods and materials (e.g., plants, construction materials), but also intentionally through the pet trade. As a paradigmatic example, the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, native to the Italian Peninsula, Sicily and the north Adriatic coast, has been introduced in several nearby islands since historical times (Corsica, Sardinia, Menorca). Besides these regions, scattered populations were later reported from the Iberian Peninsula, France, Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom and North America. Here, we provide molecular evidence regarding the introduction and origin of P. siculus in six new populations outside its native range: Romania (Bucharest and Alba Iulia), inland Croatia (Zagreb and Karlovac), Italy (Lampedusa Island) and Azerbaijan (Baku). Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Alba Iulia (Romania) population originated from a single clade (Tuscany), while the population from Azerbaijan is admixed including two distinct clades, one similar to those found in Sicily and the other present across the Tuscany clade. Samples from Bucharest also have admixed origins in Tuscany and the Adriatic clades. Less surprisingly, samples from Zagreb and Karlovac are included in the Adriatic clade while those from Lampedusa originated from Sicily. Overall, our results further demonstrate that P. siculus is able to establish outside of its native range even under different climatic conditions, not particularly from specific clades or source areas. Also, for the first time in this species, our results indicate that repeated human introductions promote lineage admixture and enhance their invasive potential.

×

Following examination of the amphibia, reptila and mammalia species which are distributed in the Special Protected Area around Köycegiz-Dalyan, the area`s natural resources were investigated. Establishment of the distribution of these species and their population cases has also been attempted by systemical and periodic investigaitons As a result, 5 frogs. 5 turtles, 11 lizards, 13 snakes and 18 mammal species have been discovered for the first time in this region. Furthermore, measures which must be taken into consideration for protection of these species, especially turtles, are given.

×

Ophisops elegans Menetries, 1832 includes six subspecies in Turkey. Here, we investigated the systematic status and distribution range of the subspecies of O. elegans in Anatolia concerning molecular and morphological approaches. Two mitochondrial (cytb and 16S rRNA) gene regions were used for the phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenetic trees were constructed with the Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood approaches. For morphological evaluations, ANOVA, Discriminant Function Analyses, and Mann Whitney-U Test were performed via SPSS. The O. elegans complex was split into six main clades. Clade A corresponded to nominate subspecies O. e. elegans. Clade B included African and Levant Ophisops samples. Clade C (O. e. ehrenbergii) was separated into two subclades, and the subspecies distribution was much broader than suggested in the literature. Clade D was defined as O. e. centralanatoliae. The distribution of O. e. centralanatoliae was also much broader than reported in the literature. Clade E can be named as O. e. basoglui, and its range was found to be narrower than mentioned in the literature. Clade F refers to the O. e. macrodactylus, and phylogenetic analyses did not recover O. e. budakibarani as a separate clade. Therefore, O. e. budakibarani was assigned as a junior synonym of O. e. macrodactylus.

×

Oriental Sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) is a threatened tree species restricted to Rhodes Island (Greece) and southern Anatolia (Turkey), best known for its rare riparian forests. These small patches of forests are severely fragmented and scattered, and are rarely found in southwestern Turkey. Based on field sampling and data compilation, we performed an assessment of the herpetofauna in these forests in southwestern Turkey during the spring of 2019 and 2021. Sampling was carried out using a line-transect method in 13 forests with various habitats, resulting in data at the community and population levels. Sixteen families, including 26 amphibian and reptile species (four anurans, four turtles, nine lizards, and nine snakes), were recorded from these unique forests, based on 1440 individuals. Twenty-two species were recorded for the first time from these forests; in addition, Emys orbicularis and Elaphe sauromates were recorded for the first time from the region. Richness in the forest patches, habitat use by the recorded species, and interspecific interactions are discussed to explain the conspicuous patterns observed in the species distributions. The unique distribution pattern of Phoenicolacerta laevis among the existing forest patches represents the most prominent finding, with implications for a recent introduction. The fossorial species Xerotyphlops vermicularis, Blanus strauchi, and Eryx jaculus are unlikely to occur in the Oriental Sweetgum forest due to annual flooding. The data obtained during this study will be transferred to the Oriental Sweetgum forest conservation action plan (2019–2024) as part of the biodiversity monitoring tools for use in the long-term conservation of these forests.

×

Living on islands entails numerous challenges for animals, among which population density approaching the carrying capacity of trophic resources stands out. To overcome this limitation, many insular lizards can supplement their insectivorous diet with increasing portions of plant material. The Madeira wall lizard, Teira dugesii, is a medium-sized lacertid, endemic to the Madeira and Selvagens archipelagos. As common in this family, adults are sexually dimorphic with males being bigger than females. Previous dietary studies on morphological scatology identified a higher proportion of plant over animal prey items, changing according to the location and sex. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding to examine the diet of this lizard species quantifying it at a higher taxonomical resolution and enhancing the detection of soft-body prey that often go undetected in morphologybased studies. In a sample of 151 faecal samples from eight populations including different habitats and altitudes in Madeira, we identified 289 prey items belonging to eight animal and three plant Classes, encompassing 58 distinct orders and 140 families. Of these, 63 were identified up to the species level. The results support a strong trend towards herbivory in this species with plants representing almost 74% of the diet occurrences in contrast to the 26% of animal prey. Remarkably, the plant fraction of the diet remained stable across localities but varied with size and mass in males. As males grew bigger and heavier, they significantly increased their plant matter intake. Likely, larger bodies and abdomens allowed allocating longer and more complex digestive tracts harbouring intestinal flora to better decompose plant organic compounds. This allowed heavier animals to have a richer diet regime. However, diet richness and composition were not affected by either sex or size, while the locality had a significant effect on both diet components likely in response to local variation in prey availability. By including an increasing plant fraction into a primarily insectivorous diet, this insular lizard has not only enlarged its trophic niche but is also able to exploit more efficiently the highly variable resources provided by insular environments.

×

Ammouliani is a small inhabited island of an area about 6.9 km2, located in the Gulf of Agion Oros, Chalkidiki, Greece. Hitherto, there have been no herpetological surveys on the island and thus its herpetofaunal composition is still unknown. In the current short note, records of amphibians and reptiles from Ammouliani Island are presented for the first time. A two-day expedition in Spring 2022 resulted in one amphibian and nine reptile species records, all found to occurin relatively low densities. The small number of species of the island and the low densities are discussed.

×

Trombiculid mites are known as vectors of larvae of Ericotrombidium caucasicum Schluger, 1967, Lacertacarus latus Schluger et Vasilieva, 1977, and Schoengastia sp. chigger mites (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) were col- lected from lizards Lacerta strigata and L. agilis (Reptilia: Lacertidae) in the Caucasus and adjacent territory (Iran). Our record of Ericotrombidium caucasicum in Azerbaijan is the first finding of the species in this country. Also, results of E. caucasicum on L. strigata and Lacertacarus latus on L. agilis are new host-parasite associa- tions. Schoengastia sp. has been reported from L. strigata for the first time.

×

The evolution of sexual dimorphism (SD) is driven by intricate interplays between sexual and natural selection. When it comes to SD variation within populations, however, environmental factors play a major role. Sexually selected traits are expected to be strongly dependent on individual body condition, which is infuenced by the local environment that individuals experience. As a consequence, the degree of SD may also depend on resource availability. Here, we investigated the potential drivers of SD expression at two sexually dimorphic morphometric traits, body size (snout vent length) and head shape (head geometric morphometrics), in the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus). We assessed the existence of condition- and context-dependent SD across ten islands of the Aeolian archipelago (southern Italy), at within- and among-population scales. We observed strong geographical variation of SD among islands, and tested three potential SD predictors related to resource availability (individual body condition, ecosystem productivity, temperature). Body condition and ecosystem productivity were the main drivers of body size SD variation, and body condition was also the main driver for head shape SD. Our results highlight that the expression of SD in the Italian wall lizard is both condition- and context-dependent. These results are congruent at within- and among populations scales highlighting that spatial multi-scale analysis represents a useful approach to understand patterns of SD expression.

×

Kuh-e Bafq Protected Area and Darreh-Anjir Wildlife Refuge are located in Yazd Province, Central Iran. Although reptiles are relatively diverse in this area, little is known regarding their diversity, distribution, and habitat preferences. The present study was carried out from March 2012 to late June 2013. A total of 55 specimens were collected (or observed) and identified, belonging to six families, 14 genera, and 16 species.

×

Thermo-hydroregulation strategies involve concurrent changes in functional traits related to energy, water balance and thermoregulation and play a key role in determining life-history traits and population demography of terrestrial ectotherms. Local thermal and hydric conditions should be important drivers of the geographical variation of thermohydroregulation strategies, but we lack studies that examine these changes across climatic gradients in different habitat types. Here, we investigated intraspecifc variation of morphology and thermo-hydroregulation traits in the widespread European common lizard (Zootoca vivipara louislantzi) across a multidimensional environmental gradient involving independent variation in air temperature and rainfall and differences in habitat features (access to free-standing water and forest cover). We sampled adult males for morphology, resting metabolic rate, total and cutaneous evaporative water loss and thermal preferences in 15 populations from the rear to the leading edge of the distribution across an elevational gradient ranging from sea level to 1750 m. Besides a decrease in adult body size with increasing environmental temperatures, we found little effect of thermal conditions on thermo-hydroregulation strategies. In particular, relict lowland populations from the warm rear edge showed no specifc ecophysiological adaptations. Instead, body mass, body condition and resting metabolic rate were positively associated with a rainfall gradient, while forest cover and water access in the habitat throughout the season also influenced cutaneous evaporative water loss. Our study emphasizes the importance of rainfall and habitat features rather than thermal conditions for geographical variation in lizard morphology and physiology.

×

Quantifying the biodiversity requires integration of various branches of biology, from evolution to the ecology and conservation of endangered species. The definition of species continues to be the subject of great controversy – using only morphological characters means that “cryptic species” will be over- looked, but an overemphasis on molecular distinction may lead to an overestimation of species numbers. In an attempt to address this, the idea of complementing molecular analyses with morphological observations and ecological modelling is beginning to be accepted in an “integrative taxonomy” approach. Mountain systems are rich in biodiversity and endemism, often with little gene flowdue to their isolation by intermediate habitats whose characteristics differ significantly such that they may be unsuitable for montane species. North Africa, despite being an extremely rich region not only in biodiversity, but also in geological history, is a poorly studied region when compared to Southern Europe, despite both being part of the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot. Therefore, the main objective of the present work was to contribute to an increase in the knowledge of these two genera within North Africa. Fieldwork in North Africa was carried out to increase understanding of the distribution of these montane forms. An emphasis was made regarding Quedenfeldtia, and in the field morphological assessments were made, while in the laboratory additional DNA sequence data was collected and combined with previously published works. Environmental variables were compared to known distributions to better assess the potential factors which limit the species ranges. For Atlantolacerta, new localities were reported, and a new genetic lineage was identified highlighting the need for further fieldwork to fully understand the number of potential species within this complex. Regarding Quedenfeldtia, the situation in one species Quedenfeldtia moerens is now relatively clear: there are distinct forms in the northern and southern parts of the range, which are highly distinct with mitochondrial DNA markers, and which show strong differences also with the 4 nuclear DNA markers employed. While these genetically distinct lineages are morphologically very similar, some diagnostic characters can be identified so that these should be considered distinct species with non-overlapping ranges. The situation in the other species, Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus, remains more complex. While 4 lineages can be identified using mitochondrial markers, these are less distinct with the nuclear markers, and diagnostic characters were not evident from the morphological analyses. The range of one of these lineages was greatly extended through the additional fieldwork carried out during this thesis. While it seems possible that 4 species could be recognized within the Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus complex, more fieldwork is still needed to better delimit the ranges, and possibly new molecular approaches using for example next generation sequencing methods may be needed to confirm how distinct the known lineages are to decide what taxonomic changes are needed.

×

Takhar Province of Afghanistan was previously known to harbour only two species of amphibians and eight species of reptiles with no record of snake species. From 2020 to 2021, we collected herpetological data from the Province and identified 14 species and specimens representing species complexes (Bufotes viridis complex and Trapelus agilis complex), with first records of Testudo hors fieldii (Testudinidae), Paralaudakia badakhshana (Agamidae), Pseudopus apodus (Anguidae), Tenuidactylus caspius (Gekkonidae), Eumeces schneideri (Scincidae) and Varanus griseus (Varanidae). In addition, we report the first province records of snakes, includ ing Eryx tataricus (Erycidae), Hemorrhois ravergieri (Colubridae), Natrix tessellata (Natricidae) and the venomous species Naja oxiana (Elapidae). These records connect and supplement previously obtained data of these species from surrounding provinces and neighbouring countries. Our data reveal that Takhar Province is home to at least 20 species of amphibians and reptiles with a strong affiliation to the Turanian chorotype. All these data are a significant source of information for the diversity of herpetofauna in Afghanistan and subsequent biodiversity research in the Central Asiatic region.

×

The early detection of invasive reptiles, before they become established and widespread, is critical to increase our chances of full eradication. Here I present, some proven and effective tools to use with that effort at a low cost financially. Spain alone has over 41,179 citizen naturalists that have contributed 1,873,000 observation data points in Spain. And this number is rising daily! We will discuss ways to engage these naturalists, to the fullest extent, in hopes of getting a jump on any new invasives that show up. I will also discuss tools and tactics to follow up on any early detections, in order to fully survey these areas effectively and efficiently at a minimal cost, for years following the original detection. Having the general public help with eradication/containment efforts has proven to be successful, and here we take a deeper dive into maximizing the efforts of citizen naturalists. Once a new invasive species is detected, effective field tactics are required to survey the area to understand the extent of invasion, and I will go into those methods in great detail.

×

Biodiversity conservation cannot solely rely on pristine environments because they are vanishing, while ecosystem services remain vital even in anthropized areas. In particular, agroenvironments are managed for food production but depend on external services, such as pest control, which may be compromised by modern practices. This is especially true in Europe, where the EU policies are inducing drastic shifts. In this context, functional approaches derived from the relations between ecosystem components outperform those based on correlations. Lizards occupy a pivotal position in the trophic networks linking invertebrates to endotherm vertebrates. Most are sedentary, short living, diurnal, ubiquitous and dense, facilitating monitoring. They use agricultural walls to find food, thermoregulation sites and shelter. Even intensive crops remain rich in invertebrates, that lizards consume with little specialization. Some may become pests, suggesting that lizards may act as pestcontrollers. Fields may also conserve a substantial fraction of predators. Management practices may decrease lizard fitness, compromising their ecological role. Where, when and to what extent lizard populations are regulated by prey, by predators or by both has rarely being addressed. This precludes uncovering the function of this animal group taking advantage of its ecosystem services. Here, we present an integrative scheme based on functional ecology and ecosystem services to aid management decisions in agriculture. The pestcontrol role of the lizards in crops and the management conditions enhancing it are evaluated by reconstructing the dynamics of agricultural ecosystems in time and space. A representative array of sites with widespread cultures and management regimes is selected and habitat quality is assessed. Lizard, predator and prey abundance are estimated; and biomarkers of lizard quality (body condition, parasitisation, asymmetry) are recorded. The fraction of potential pests in the diet is identified by metabarcoding. Analysis uses multivariate models to identify the ecosystem services provided by lizards and incorporated to ecological economics framework to elaborate guidelines aiding management decisions. Situations of high disturbance such as extreme habitat simplification, massive pesticide application and, in islands, introduction of invasive predators are specifically considered.

×

Biological invasions are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss on islands in the Anthropocene. The direct catastrophic effects of these invasions are frequently reported (for example, causing the extirpation of species on islands), but these extinctions can also alter the biota through indirect effects. At the beginning of the SXXI, the importation of ornamental trees to Ibiza introduced, among others, the horseshoe snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis). This has been expanding across the island, eventually exterminating populations of Ibizan wall rock lizards (Podarcis pityusensis) locally. The disappearance of a key species for the ecosystem such as P. pityusensis could lead to cascading consequences affecting both arthropods (common prey of lizards) and the vegetation of the ecosystem. Throughout the year 2021, we defined 18 study areas with very similar characteristics: rainfed fields with extensive agriculture with dry stone walls and separated from each other by more than 2km. The study areas were grouped into three types based on the presence of only lizards, only snakes or with both species present, with six replicates each. Our samplings have revealed that the trophic cascade caused by the loss in density and extinction of native lizards has caused a significant increase in the abundance of arthropods. This has turned H. hippocrepis into a threat to this delicate Mediterranean island ecosystem since the increase of the arthropod’s densities could become agricultural pests or vectors of pathogens.

×

Living on islands entails numerous challenges for animals, among which population density approaching the carrying capacity of trophic resources stands out. To overcome this limitation, many insular lizards can supplement their insectivorous diet with increasing portions of plant material. The Madeira wall lizard, Teira dugesii, is a mediumsized lacertid, endemic to the Madeira and Selvagens archipelagos. As common in this family, adults are sexually dimorphic with males being bigger than females. Previous dietary studies on morphological scatology identified a higher proportion of plant over animal prey items, changing according to the location and sex. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding to examine the diet of this lizard species quantifying it at a higher taxonomical resolution and enhancing the detection of softbody prey that often go undetected in morphology based studies. In a sample of 151 faecal samples from eight populations including different habitats and altitudes in Madeira, we identified 289 prey items belonging to eight animal and three plant Classes, encompassing 58 distinct orders and 140 families. Of these, 63 were identified up to the species level. The results support a strong trend towards herbivory in this species with plants representing almost 74% of the diet occurrences in contrast to the 26% of animal prey. Remarkably, the plant fraction of the diet remained stable across localities but varied with size and mass in males. As males grew bigger and heavier, they significantly increased their plant matter intake. Likely, larger bodies and abdomens allowed allocating longer and more complex digestive tracts harbouring intestinal flora to better decompose plant organic compounds. This allowed heavier animals to have a richer diet regime. However, diet richness and composition were not affected by either sex or size, while the locality had a significant effect on both diet components likely in response to local variation in prey availability. By including an increasing plant fraction into a primarily insectivorous diet, this insular lizard has not only enlarged its trophic niche but is also able to exploit more efficiently the highly variable resources provided by insular environments.

×

Insular animals undergo a serie of behavioural and morphological changes promoted by the isolated character of the populations that are commonly listed under what is known as the ‘island syndrome’. Among these changes there is an increased survival, a lower growth rate and a lower fecundity compared with their mainland counterparts. The ‘island syndrome’ has been proved in mammals and birds, however whether lizards undergo a similar set of changes is a matter of debate. We used individual-based data collected using photoidentification techniques over ten years in two island populations of an endemic lizard inhabiting the Balearic archipelago, and estimate size dependent survival and the somatic their growth parameters. However, a measure of fertility cannot be obtained directly in the field. We used part of the data to estimate sizedependent functions and another part of the data to build a vector of lizard counts. These two set of data were used to couple an Integral Projection Matrix (IPM) with an Integrated Population Model (IPM) into an Integrated Integral Projection Model (IPM2), to estimate fertility as a latent parameter in each population. In the smallest island, population counts fluctuate little (population growth rate near stability: lambda~0.97) and the average annual survival was high. In agreement with the island syndrome, the model delivered a low estimate of fertility. In the second island, however, the population was characterized by large fluctuations with a population growth rate between 1.7 and 0.5). Contrary to the expectations the survival probability was lower and the percapita fertility higher. The population distribution was dominated by hatchlings and subadults while in the first population it was mainly made by adults. We took advantage of the integral and integrated modelling to estimate percapita fertility and showed that individuals in isolated population might exhibit very different strategies.

×

Body shape, which refers to the relative proportions of the head, tail, and limbs, plays an essential role in the way organisms interact and survive in their environment. Additionally, the performance of organisms in their habitats can produce restrictions that lead to different body shape outcomes, as has been well documented in the Anolis lizard radiation. In this event, several ecomorphs with different body shapes have evolved due to selection on locomotion in different habitats. In this study, we use lizards from the family Lacertidae as a model system. First, we divided our species set into two main groups based on their habitat use. The first group is referred to as `terrestrial` for species that spend most of their time on the ground and move horizontally. The second group is called `climbers` for species that exploit the vertical axis, including both vegetation and rocky structures. We test whether locomotor mode results in body shape adaptations at the macroscale across 188 lacertid species. We compare rates and patterns of evolution for seven linear biometric variables. As expected, our results showed discrepant evolutionary patterns for some morphological traits depending on locomotor mode. In the shape of the head (head height and width) a clear pattern of directional evolution (multipeak Ornstein-Uhlenbeck evolutionary model) is observed depending on the way species use the habitat, however, we find different evolutionary models for limbs length (Brownian Motion and singlerate Ornstein – Uhlenbeck). Consistent with historical expectations at the microscale, head height and width are influenced by habitat use; hence climbers exhibit flatter, narrower heads than ground dwelling species. However, even it has been demonstrated the benefit of longer hindlimbs for terrestrial species, we failed in finding similar patterns for limbs and trunk proportions. Additional research will be conducted to determine the relationship between the evolutionary differences discovered among climbers and ground dwelling species and the species` performance capabilities.

×

RedEXOS is integrated into the State Warning Network by the Decree 117/2020, of November 19. Its main objective is to prevent the establishment of new outbreaks or populations of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) or those with invasive potential in the Canary Islands. The Network is also in charge of compiling and coordinating the information on the appearance of IAS included in the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien Species or in the List of worrisome invasive alien species for the outermost region of the Canary Islands, or species with invasive potential in the Canary Islands that can be identified as such by the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. This oral presentation presents two species of invasive reptiles which are included in the List of worrying invasive alien species for the outermost region of the Canary Islands in which this official network of the Government of the Canary Islands, RedEXOS, is currently involved. Anolis carolinensis is a small arboreal lizard native to the southeastern United States and Mexico, in the State of Tamaulipas. Introduced populations can be found in the Bahamas, Grand Cayman Island, Anguilla and Cuba. It is also cited as introduced species in several islands as Japan; islands of Micronesia and Guam; in the Northern Mariana Islands; and in Hawaii and California, in the United States. Is a reptile with daytime habits, it feeds on insects and is considered an invasive species due to its great reproductive and dispersal capacity. In the Canary Islands, probably introduced as a stowaway in ornamental species of flora, it reproduces successfully in the south of Tenerife and some specimens have recently been detected in the northeast of the island. Chamaeleo calyptratus is a chameleon native to Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia. It is found in Spain (Canary Islands) and the United States (Hawaii and Florida) as an introduced species. It is adapted to living in trees and bushes; it can live in mountainous, wooded areas, or in valleys. Although they prefer a temperature range between 24 and 35 Celsius degrees, they can tolerate wide temperate ranges. It is mostly insectivorous and has the ability to capture prey on the prowl, projecting its sticky tongue. It also uses its tongue to smell and taste. It is adapted to eating plant leaves as a source of water during dry seasons. The most common prey is small insects, mainly flies, bees, wasps, beetles, moths, caterpillars, butterflies, snails, and grasshoppers. Larger individuals can hunt small vertebrates. Due to their cryptic nature, they are difficult to locate. They are very territorial, with no tolerance between the sexes until the mating season. In the Canary Islands there is an emerging breeding population located in the north of the island of Gran Canaria, introduced because of collectors` escapes.

×

The horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) is considered a species of recent introduction in the island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands), in contrast with Ibiza or Formentera where is catalogued as an invasive species. Since 2018, Servicio de Sanidad y Control de Fauna del Consorcio para la Recuperación de Fauna de las Islas Baleares in collaboration with Servicio de Protección de Especies of Conselleria de Medi Ambient i Territori, is carrying out the control of the horseshoe whip snake in Mallorca in areas of biological importance. These zones include areas of the Natura 2000 Network and/or areas where there is a presence of protected and/or endemic species. The aim of these campaigns is to control the density of the horseshoe whip snake to minimize its impact on wild species. During the 2022 campaign, a shed snakeskin was reported on the Illa dels Conills (the smallest islet of the Malgrats Islands), in the municipality of Calvià. After confirming this finding, we proceeded to prospect and place traps for the capture of snakes on the islet. The Illa dels Conils is located less than 200m from the coast, with an aera of about 10,000m2 and a maximum altitude of 30m. It is inhabited by endemic and catalogued species such as the Lilford’s wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) and the European storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus). Between May and November, a total of 10 traps were placed on the ground, with a the result of 1330 days of trapping and the capture of 6 horseshoe whip snakes. In addition, during this campaign two important findings were confirmed: (1) the absence of observations of the Lilford’s wall lizard on the islet, and (2) the predation of the horseshoe whip snake on the European storm petrel. Island ecosystems are one of the most fragile and threatened territories, usually hosting a greater biodiversity, as well as a greater number of endemic species. Therefore, they require special protection. Currently in Mallorca the number of introduced and invasive species is a growing concern, and highlights the need of implementing prevention measures and the necessary resources to be able to manage them properly.

×

Since 2016, the Consortium for the Recovery of the Fauna of the Balearic Islands (COFIB) has carried out actions to control invasive snakes on the islands of Ibiza and Formentera entrusted to it by the Government of the Balearic Islands. These invasive snakes on the Pitiusas Islands include Hemorrhois hippocrepis and Zamenis scalaris. The two species are present in Ibiza and the second in Formentera. Since the beginning of the project, the capture effort has been increasing in relation to the number of traps used, starting the campaigns in Ibiza with 145 traps in 2016 and ending with 1,246 traps in 2022. Similarly, the trap effort has increased from 78 traps in 2016 to 394 in 2022. Thanks to this effort in relation to the number of traps and the number of days of trapping with a trap, a total of 7,118 captures of H. hippocrepis and 293 captures of Z. scalaris have been obtained in Ibiza, allocating a total of 466,130 days of trapping. While in the case of Formentera a total of 4,237 Z. scalaris have been captured with a total of 254,909 days of trapping. In both species and islands, higher capture rates have been observed in the months from May to June, and in the case of H. hemorrhois in Ibiza also in July. Parallel to the work to control invasive snakes, the COFIB maintains a close collaboration with the UIB Interdisciplinary Ecology Group, with which all the captures made since the beginning of the project are analyzed and from which valuable information is extracted that allows correcting and direct the efforts to control snakes in the Pitiusas Islands.

×

Invasive predators wreak havoc on island ecosystems worldwide. The impact of these invasions is particularly strong when they decimate predator naïve mesopredators, which often play key roles for ecosystem functioning. Our previous research has provided evidence that behavior determines survival of mesopredators exposed to novel predators. It is still not well understood, however, if behavior is a crucial factor determining the success of animal populations coping with invasive predators. In our research laboratory we are currently addressing this question taking advantage of a natural experiment in the Mediterranean. In Ibiza, an endemic keystone mesopredator, the iconic Ibiza wall lizard, is being rapidly decimated by a rapidly spreading predatory whiptail snake. By combining field and lab experiments with cuttingedge molecular tools we are trying to decipher the evolutionary dynamics of the behavior of both native mesopredators and invasive top predators. In addition, we examine whether and how these behavioral shifts alter ecological interactions and modify ecosystem functioning. In this talk, I will provide an overview on the work my research lab is currently carrying out in Ibiza. Our integrative approach includes studying potential adaptive change in the behavior, morphology of endemic lizards as well as potential phenotypic shifts of their rapidly spreading predators. Importantly, we are also investigating if the reduction of number and even total extirpation of keystone lizards is having an impact through cascading consequences for other organisms (both animals and plants) at the level of the entire biological community across the island. In addition. Finally, I will also present our empirical work testing the hypothesis that urban areas might be acting as refuges for populations of this endemic lizard and introduce planned work for genomics. Our integrative understanding of the dynamics of animal behavior from genes to ecosystems should transcend this study system and significantly contribute to the conservation of island ecosystems worldwide. We hope our work will promote wellinformed, effective, management strategies for biodiversity conservation of this delicate Mediterranean ecosystems but also for other threatened island ecosystems worldwide.

×

The Californian kingsnake was detected in Gran Canaria in 1998. At present, it is settled in four different populations – located in the northwest, northeast, east and south of the island – and its effects are evident in endemic reptiles’ populations. Since 2008, the Government of the Canary Islands and Gran Canaria County Council work together to stop the spread and control population growth of this species. The evolution of the North American snake invasion for the last 25 years is explained, presenting what management instruments are used and results obtained to date. The control actions carried out in this period are presented, highlighting the improvement in manual capture methods –by adapting human resources of the project to the phenology of the species– and in the use of traps as important milestones. Moreover, captures analysis, which include a significant amount obtained through citizens warnings, highlight the importance of public help. The creation of an Early Warning System – where several communication channels are available to receive such warnings – in addition to dissemination campaigns has been essential to promote citizen participation. Additionally, having a communication strategy, based on social media and uptodate related content hosted in a project website, have become an essential rise of awareness element promoting the call for action through volunteering activities and informative workshops. Furthermore, the biosecurity measures promoted in recent years –implemented to avoid passive transport of snake specimens to various points of the island or outside of it, are presented. Since August 2022, a canine unit has been working in an area of interest, Mercalaspalmas (logistics center for the distribution of agrifood products in Gran Canaria), following a specific protocol to prevent the entry of snakes into its facilities. In the future, it is proposed to extend these biosecurity actions to other places of interest, such as ports and airports on the island. At the same time, dog training for detection of snakes in natural environments is presented. Finally, an insight is given on the R&D trapping systems development. The main objective focuses in the development of entry mechanism designs that will increase the speciesspecific selectivity of the traps. Additionally, specimens’ presence detection has been improved by developing sensors installed inside traps and the technology necessary to receive warnings of such presence. After more than a decade fighting against the invasion of this snake, the prospects are not very optimistic. At present, eradication is considered impossible on the island. Compensatory measures are required as to compensate for the impacts the California kingsnake is causing, especially in giant lizard of Gran Canaria populations.

×

The California kingsnake Lampropeltis californiae was detected in Gran Canaria in 1998, time since when numerous resources have been allocated to control this invasion. In recent years, the approval of the Strategic Plan of Action in the Fight against the California kingsnake in the Canary Islands 20192022 as well as other lines of private funding, basic and applied research has been boosted, in a framework of close collaboration between researchers and competent administrations, allowing to accumulate ecological information that aims to strengthen management actions. The aim of this presentation is to summarize the scientific actions carried out and their main results. First, we describe the impact of the snake invasion on the abundance of the three endemic reptile species of the island, the subsequent trophic cascade and the evolutionary impacts detected in these saurian species. Second, we summarize the accumulated knowledge on the phenology and movement ecology of the species, their habitat selection and prey preference, and how this information can help guide management. Third, we review the most relevant results of a set of objectives addressed to directly inform the management of this invasion (eDNA use, biosecurity, trap selectivity, assessment of control method effectiveness, etc.), as well as summarize the objectives to be addressed in the medium to long term. From a more global context, we present a useful model to strengthen the science- management interface, so necessary to support and optimize invasive alien species management.

×

Insular biota represents a singular fraction of biodiversity in both evolutionary and ecological terms. However, it is especially sensitive to disturbance due to minimal interaction with competitor, predators and parasites, as well as low area and population size, which may lead to local extinction. Conserving such singularity involves monitoring organism quality and disturbance intensity to understand, anticipate and correct eventual declining trends. Reptiles are more likely to maintain populations in small islands than other vertebrates because of their low metabolic rates, resistance de dehydration and sedentariness. Some, particularly lizards, also display fast responses to insular conditions such as diet shifts. Timon nevadensis is a large lizard restricted to SE Iberia where it occupies a wide variety of open habitats, including some insular environments. The melanistic population of the Escombreras islet (off the coast of Cartagena, 4 ha) became threatened due to the accidental arrival of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which altered the habitat structure and competed for the food. Annual campaigns of rabbit control are being conducted since 2018. Furthermore, in 2018 and 2019 Cartagena harbour authority promoted works to estimate the body condition, demography and population genetics parameters to assess the viability of the islet population. In 2018, four sampling sessions were carried out using 12 in vivo traps baited with fruit. A total of 62 captures were obtained with some individuals recaptured up to there times. Sexratio was 1.1 and only 1.6% of captures were juveniles. Abundance, estimated by the method of Schnabel, was 53 adults while, estimated by the method of Petersen, was 52. Samples from 25 lizards from Escobreras and 15 from the adjacent continent were genotyped with a battery of 16 microsatellites. The values of genetic diversity were by far lower (~50%) in the islet than in the continent, inbreeding was much higher (~300%) and effective population size was extremely small (Ne=41.7). Remarkably, relatedness between 6.1% of pairs in Escombreras attained > 0.5. Overall, these results indicate that the islet harbours a very small population with signs of inbreeding that may affect fitness. This, in combination with disturbance associated with rabbit introduction and the pensence of rats (Rattus norvegicus), makes it highly vulnerable extinction.

×

Biological invasions are one of the main causes of vertebrate extinction in insular systems. Many of the species found in these environments are endemic and key species for the ecosystems, and have a very important ecological and cultural function, which could be threatened by the introduction of invasive species. This is the case on the island of Ibiza. Currently, the Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) is being seriously threatened by the introduction of the horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) from the mainland. Due to the predation pressure that the expansion of this invasive snake exerts on the Ibiza wall lizard, many lizard populations have started to become locally extinct in areas where they were once very common. Despite this situation, there could be a solution for these lizards in places commonly negatively associated with biodiversity: urban areas. In this study, we aim to analyse the function of urban areas as possible urban refuges for the Ibiza wall lizard populations. Through the sampling of urban and periurban areas of 18 localities distributed along the island of Ibiza, we have studied the effects of the level of urbanisation and the presence of snakes on the abundance of the Ibiza wall lizards. Our results indicate that urban areas act as refuges for this endemic lizard species in areas where the invasive snake thrives. Outside these urban refuges, the abundance of lizards is severely affected by the presence of the horseshoe whip snake. The abundance of Ibiza wall lizards not only seems to benefit from urban areas in snakeinvaded zones, but also seems to have a positive effect in places where lizard populations still persist in noninvaded periurban environments. The conservation and urban ecology implications of these results could be of great interest, both for the island system of Ibiza and for other systems subject to biological invasions, which are expected to become increasingly common over the years due to globalisation.

×

In order to establish the basic management guidelines for the most threatened amphibian and reptile species in the Balearic Islands, the Plan for the recovery and conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the Balearic Islands, known as Plan Boscà, has been developed and is pending its final approval. It is a group plan that includes two species of amphibians and three reptiles including: i) the populations of the Balearic toad Bufotes balearicus in Ibiza and the populations of the Ferreret Alytes muletensis in Mallorca, ii) the populations of the Moorish tortoise Testudo graeca on the island of Majorca, iii) the populations of the Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi from Majorca and Menorca and iv) the populations of the Pitiusan lizard Podarcis pityusensis from Ibiza and Formentera. In the plan they develop a set of management actions, which are divided between generic actions for the entire group of species contained in the plan and those specific to each species. The generic actions common to all species include: i) promoting research and training to improve knowledge, ii) dissemination and citizen participation, and iii) administrative coordination. The actions for the Balearic toad include i) knowledge of the current status of the species, ii) habitat management, with the review and updating of potential localities and the creation of new ones to favor connectivity and iii) monitoring of the species . The actions for the black tortoise include i) improving knowledge of the current distribution, ii) monitoring populations and creating and strengthening them, iii) improving connectivity between populations and iv) captive breeding. . The actions for the Balearic and Pitiusan lizard include i) updating knowledge and in-depth evaluation of its conservation status, ii) monitoring populations, iii) managing introduced species such as invasive snakes, iv) quality control of the habitat and v) the revision of the protection category in the Balearic Catalog of Threatened Species, as well as the revision in the official forms of the spaces integrated in the Natura 2000 Network.

×

I report a cannibalism event in an urban population of Podarcid virescens (Lacertidae). The species is the only lacertid lizard in the site: an artificial wall in Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, where the lizard bask in winter sunny days; mostly adults). Within an ongoing study on the trophic ecology of the species, I found a piece of tail in a fecal pellet (29 scale whorls). The sample was dropped in february2023. The detailed examination of the piece (scales morphology and diameters of the piece of tail) allows to identify it as a distal part of the tail of a young individual. The possibility of the scant provenance from Tarentola mauritanica (Phyllodactylidae), scarcely present in the site, was discarded by morphochemical study of the fecal pellet (work in prep.) The current available data: frequency of the predation event (relatively high at the moment), age/SVL of the victim, and season of occurrence, might preliminarily support the predominant hypothesis on lizards’ cannibalism: young individuals as victims, coincident with low prey availability and when individuals must face winter environmental conditions. If so, cannibalism in this Podarcis virescens population (not necessarily in other species) might be important on population structure (agespatial segregation), and population dynamics.

×

Studies of the effects on insularity on the design of animal signals are scarce, particularly in lizards. Here we use Lilford’s wall lizard from Dragonera (Podarcis lilfordi gigliolii) to ask how insularity has affected its repertoire of social signals relative to mainland Podarcis. We focused on two visual signals shared by many Podarcis: UVblue patches (UBP) and visual displays. The latter include foot shakes and the raised body displays used to expose the UBP. We examined if the number or spectral characteristics of the UBP are associated with morphological traits related to individual quality. We also used visual models to measure sexual dichromatism in the UBP. We did not observe foot shakes or any other visual displays. The UBP did not covary with body condition or fighting ability in males, suggesting that this coloration does not signal individual quality. We also found very little sexual dichromatism, females having malelike UBP. We hypothesize that this pattern of reduced social signaling is due to the high population density of P. lilfordi gigliolii, which discourages territorial behavior and promotes extreme social tolerance, making most social signals unnecessary.

×

Lizard biology is strongly linked to the spatial structure of their environment, since lizards are sedentary and depend on habitat complexity for thermoregulation, hydroregulation and antipredator defence. Agricultural stone walls are their most commonly occupied habitats, providing them with food, shelter and thermoregulating surfaces. Management may affect microhabitat structure, with uniformized concrete walls and the trimming of surrounding vegetation leading to a reduction of the available shelter. Here we analyzed the daily activity patterns and microhabitat use of Podarcis bocagei wall lizards occupying agricultural walls. From May to July 2022, lizard surveys based on visual encounters were performed in corn (Zea mays) fields in Vairão, NW Portugal, following line transects along stone walls. Each observation included information on the lizard class (adult male, female or immature), time of day, height above ground, epiphytic vegetation and number of holes. Associations between the environmental variables were examined through a multiple correspondence analysis. Results show a tendency for different patterns of activity between the morning and afternoon periods, suggesting that lizards thermoregulate during the first hours of the day, avoid activity during the heat of midday, and forage in the afternoon. Immature individuals occupied more open sections of the wall, with small or no holes and sparce vegetation. Males and females show no difference in activity or preferred microhabitat structure. Lizards avoided sections with no vegetation, and were seldom observed at ground level. They were most often observed near smaller holes than larger holes, possibly avoiding these locations due to predation from larger predators such as Timon lepidus. Studies in nonpristine areas suggest guidelines on how reptiles may cope with humanized landscapes and, ultimately, provide clues on how agriculture practices and biodiversity conservation could be better harmonized.

×

The name Ibiza means `Island of Bes`, god who drives away snakes. With a marked Phoenician cultural influence, have snakes been observed never 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 of Ibiza. 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 you can see the area, without captures, not yet colonized by invasive snakes.

×

In the last two decades, different species of Ophidia from the Iberian Peninsula have arrived in the Balearic Islands. In Mallorca, due to the ancient introduction of the false smooth snake (Macroprotodon mauritanicus) and the viperine water snake (Natrix maura), snakes are not listed as invasive species. Currently, three species of snakes have been recently introduced in Mallorca: the horseshoe snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis), the ladder snake (Zamenis scalaris) and the Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus). Even though the latter has a reduced distribution, it generates greater social alarm due to its large size, its appearance and behaviour. In 2018, Servicio de Sanidad y Control de Fauna del Consorcio para la Recuperación de Fauna de las islas Baleares in collaboration with Servicio de Protección de Especies of Conselleria de Medi Ambient i Territori started the first campaign to control introduced Ophidia in Mallorca. In the case of the Montpellier snake, there were only some sighting data and some unusual captures by Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre of COFIB. With these data, the first campaign was initiated in the municipality of Alcudia, where the highest number of warnings and captures coincided. The aim of this campaign was: (1) to confirm its establishment, (2) in case its presence was confirmed, to assess the need to control. 35 traps were distributed and 29 specimens were captured in 6067 days of trapping. So, not only was its presence confirmed in this area, but the need for control was shown. In the following campaigns, 41, 33, 18 and 38 specimens have been captured during the years 20192022, respectively. These data confirm the presence of a stable population of Montpellier snake in this area of Mallorca. During these years the campaigns have focused on: (1) reducing the density of snakes, (2) improving the knowledge of the distribution area, (3) to manage all the notified sightings of this species. Thanks to this last point, the presence of the Montpellier snake has been confirmed in other municipalities of Mallorca, and in some cases, this is correlated with the movement and importation of ornamental trees. A better knowledge of the Montpellier snake’s distribution and interaction with the environment is essential to adjust the management tools used in the forthcoming years.

×

De manera natural las invasiones biológicas son un fenómeno común resultante de eventos geotectónicos, climáticos u otros eventos naturales (Lodge, 1993; Arslan, 2019). Sin embargo, como consecuencia de la globalización las invasiones biológicas ocurren con mayor frecuencia, facilitando la propagación accidental de especies exóticas y el establecimiento como invasoras (Kolar & Lodge, 2001). Los orígenes de estas nuevas invasiones son diversos: comercio de especies exóticas, transporte activo (liberación deliberada) y transporte pasivo (escape de animales domésticos, transferencia de parásitos y patógenos, y polizones) (Goh & O`Riordan, 2007; Westphal et al. 2008; Hulme, 2015; Pupins et al. 2023). Para prevenir y hacer frente a las invasiones biológicas en un clima cambiante, se necesitan conocimientos sobre la biología de la invasión, los procesos y rasgos que promueven la invasión, y las posibles respuestas de las especies exóticas a las nuevas condiciones ambientales (Courchamp et al. 2017). Los contenedores de mercancías internacionales son utilizados para el transporte de material de diversos orígenes y usos (alimentación, construcción, jardinería, etc.) a través de cargueros marítimos, tren y avión, siendo la segunda causa del establecimiento de especies invasoras (Bomford et al. 2008). Existen datos de transporte accidental de serpientes y lacértidos vivos entre la Europa continental e islas adyacentes (Carretero et al. 2014; SilvaRocha et al. 2014; Ortega et al. 2016), pero es menos habitual en especies tropicales, debido a la lejanía o el tiempo en el contenedor. En España en los últimos años destacan la captura: de la víbora Porthidium lansbergii originaria de Colombia (Martínez- Silvestre et al. 2020), de la rana Hyperolius concolor originaria de Costa de Marfil (Martínez- Silvestre et al. 2019) o la Agama lebretoni originaria de Guinea Ecuatorial (Sancho & Pauwels, 2015). A estas observaciones el presente equipo, ha recopilado seis transportes accidentales más entre 2019 y 2022: cinco en Barcelona, dos introducciones de Gallotia stehlini en contenedores de fruta originarios de Gran Canaria, la introducción de Agama agama en un contenedor de madera originario de Camerun, una introducción de Agama picticauda en un contenedor de cacao originario de Guinea Equatorial, y la introducción de Psammophilus dorsalis en un contenedor de BIGBAGS originario de la India; y una en Tarragona, una introducción de Gallotia stehlini capturada en un polígono industrial. Sesión: Invasiones Biológicas

×

RedEXOS is the Early Warning Network of the Canary Islands for the detection and intervention of invasive alien species. It is integrated into the State Warning Network by the Decree 117/2020, of November 19, and its main objective is to prevent the establishment of new outbreaks or populations of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) or those with invasive potential in the Canary Islands. The Network is also in charge of compiling and coordinating the information on the appearance of IAS included in the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien Species or in the List of worrisome invasive alien species for the outermost region of the Canary Islands, or species with invasive potential in the Canary Islands that can be identified as such by the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. Biological invasions are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss on islands, so early detection is very important both to achieve greater success in eradication, and to reduce costs, the complexity of the intervention and the impacts on biodiversity. This oral presentation presents two species of invasive reptiles which are included in the List of worrying invasive alien species for the outermost region of the Canary Islands in which this official network of the Government of the Canary Islands, RedEXOS, is currently involved. RedEXOS has been working, since 2017, on the early detection of invasive species or potentially invasive before they become an ecological problem in the archipelago. For this, it has a platform, which includes a mobile app and a website, developed to encourage citizen participation and to unify information on the appearance and management of IAS in the Canarian territory. The poster presented includes the balance of sightings and interventions recorded on the RedEXOS platform. Although flora requires a greater number of interventions, is the fauna the one that needs urgent interventions. Among the interventions with invasive reptiles, data of two species that are included in the List of worrisome invasive alien species for the outermost region of the Canary Islands are presented. They are Anolis carolinensis, on the island of Tenerife, and Chamaeleo calyptratus on Gran Canaria. This official network of the Government of the Canary Islands is currently working on them, doing monitoring and control tasks. Furthermore, the problem of translocated native species is presented. An example is explained with the populations of the giant lizard of Gran Canaria (Gallotia stehlini) located on other islands of the Canary archipelago.

×

En las últimas décadas se han introducido tres especies de serpientes en las Islas Baleares a través del comercio de viveros desde la Península Ibérica, su área de distribución nativa. La culebra de escalera Zamenis scalaris fue citada por primera vez en 2006 en Formentera, la culebra de herradura Hemorrhois hippocrepis en 2003 en Ibiza y la culebra bastarda Malpolon monspessulanus en 2006 en Mallorca. Actualmente, cualquier especie de la familia Colubridae que habita en Ibiza y Formentera es considerada legalmente invasora. Desde 2016, en estas dos islas se llevan a cabo campañas de control y erradicación mediante trampas cebadas con ratones vivos. Por el contrario, las especies de serpientes exóticas que habitan en Mallorca no son consideradas legalmente invasoras. En este caso, campañas de control y erradicación a pequeña escala se iniciaron en Mallorca en 2017. En el presente trabajo se resumen los estudios realizados en relación con la monitorización e impacto de estas especies en las islas de Ibiza, Formentera y Mallorca. Los resultados sugieren que el proceso de invasión se ha completado con éxito para H. hippocrepis y Z. scalaris, ya que ambas especies están bien establecidas en Ibiza y Formentera, respectivamente. La combinación de introducciones múltiples, un potencial reproductivo elevado, la gran plasticidad trófica y su adaptación climática habrían contribuido al proceso de invasión. En cuanto a M. monspessulanus, aún no se ha descrito su completa expansión en Mallorca aunque se ha comprobado su naturalización. Sin embargo, rasgos como la eurifagia y la capacidad adaptación a ecosistemas alterados, sugieren una muy probable expansión por toda la isla en el futuro. Entre los impactos se han detectado respuestas antidepredatorias comportamentales y fisiológicas de la salamanquesa común Tarentola mauritanica expuesta al olor de H. hippocrepis, hecho que evidenció que reconoce las señales químicas de la culebra de herradura. La legislación actual se ha mostrado ineficaz en cuanto a la prevención y la aplicación de protocolos de rápida actuación contra estas especies. Sin embargo, se cree que la fuerte presión de captura desde 2016 ha provocado una disminución de las densidades de población, especialmente de Z. scalaris en Formentera. El presente trabajo sugiere propuestas adicionales para gestionar las poblaciones de serpientes establecidas en las Islas Baleares y también para prevenir futuras introducciones tanto de éstas como de otras especies.

×

Invasive snakes are a serious challenge for the conservation of global biodiversity. Besides causing irreversible damages to recipient ecosystems, their management faces substantial difficulties due to their cryptic behavior and reduced capture probability. Management programs often rely on traps, artificial cover objects (ACOs) and active surveys. However, the efficiency of snake capture methods has been scarcely assessed, limiting our capacity to identify and implement adequate methods to deal with invasive snakes. In this context, we performed a study to evaluate the efficiency of traps, ACOs and active surveys in the California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) in Gran Canaria. We designated three sampling zones, distributed over 17 ha, and deployed 18 traps and 15 ACOs (separated 20 m from each other) in each of them. From May 11th to July 11th 2022, a team of 23 people checked all traps and ACOs, while performing line transects or visual encounter surveys—respectively sampling the entire area following parallel transects or sampling separate sector within the area by following random routes—and compared the efficiency of these methods by calculating the number of captures per unit of effort (CPUE). Both visual encounter surveys and line transects had similar CPUE (4.10 ± 10.38 y 3.55 ± 10.13 capture/100 observers- hours, respectively), which was notoriously higher than that for traps (0.02 ± 0.05 captures/100 traphours) and ACOs (which produced no captures). Our results indicate that active surveys are much more efficient for L. californiae than traps, even though this is a fossorial species that remains concealed underground most of the time and shows sporadic activity on the surface. This underlines the need to properly evaluate the efficiency of the control methods available to capture snakes in order to design effective management strategies to deal with this damaging invaders.

×

The ability to preserve reptile communities inside urban contexts becomes increasingly crucial as urban areas continue to grow and displace natural and agricultural landscapes. To carry out decisionmaking procedures and conservation measures on the ground, we must first understand species` reactions to habitat features at the local level. Six artificial hibernacula have been built in two periurban parks in the city of Tres Cantos as a result of a local conservation and awarenessraising project. Alongside these structures, 23 circular sectors with a radius of 75 meters have been designated between the two parks, and visual transects have been conducted for 15 minutes over a full year, grouped into two samplings in spring and one in autumn. Psammodromus algirus and Zamenis scalaris were the main reptile species studied for these values of richness and abundance. These values have been linked to environmental factors such as vegetation cover, the distance between environments or points of interest, and human disturbance. The discovery of 7 of the 13 reptile species included in the grid demonstrates the potential for periurban regions to support reptile ecosystems. The number of species was associated with the presence of nonvegetal refuge (rocks, rubble, etc.) and the presence of vegetal refuge, being more relevant in those sectors with a higher proportion of 2050 cm vegetation stratum and decreasing in grassland areas. Similarly, the abundance of P. algirus was strongly associated with these tree strata and avoided open spaces, influenced by strong antipredator behavior. The data collected has been used to create a system that scores the suitability of various sectors for hosting reptiles. Additionally, a plan for conservation and monitoring measures has been developed to improve the local project for herpetofauna shelters and adjust policies for managing urban green areas, especially those linked to mowing activities.

×

Island ecosystems are highly vulnerable to human-mediated biological invasions. While this impact is predominantly studied on endemic species, which are a primary focus of conservation efforts, impact on more widespread species is often neglected, despite their significant contribution to these ecosystems. Berlenga island belongs to a protected area located off the western coast of Portugal, being an important nesting site for several seabird species. The ocellated lizard Timon lepidus became isolated 9000 to 10000 years ago due to marine transgression, constituting a locally differentiated population, with unique morphological and behavioural adaptations to insularity. Lizards of this island restricted population exhibited weakened antipredatory behaviour, being slower runners and less aggressive. Furthermore, T. ledipus in Berlenga were often found in agglomerations and did not seem to exhibit accentuated territorial behaviour. Since the late 1980s, the Berlenga population of T. lepidus declined substantially, seemingly due to predation and competition with the increasing population of seagulls. Furthermore, the increased adult mortality rate, the food scarcity leading to cannibalism of juveniles, the intense destruction of postures by rat predation and by rabbit tunnels construction, along with attacks led by dog packs are likely to have caused an accentuated population decline, going from 180 individuals in 1987, to 25 individuals in 1996. All attempts to reestablish the population viability failed and the last individual was observed in 2009. Annually, between 2016 and 2019 we conducted extensive herpetological surveys in Berlenga. Multiple observers exhaustively searched for T. lepidus during multiple days each year and no individuals were detected. Furthermore, interviews to the key researchers and wildlife rangers working in the island revealed that for over 10 years no individual has been found, despite extensive fieldwork in Berlenga, associated with a 3 year long LIFE+ project devoted to the restorations of the island’s habitats. We thus believe that the Berlenga population of T. lepidus can confidently be declared extinct. Considering the success of interventions intended to control the numbers of yellowlegged gulls and the eradication of invasive black rats and European rabbits, we argue that a reintroduction of T. lepidus from another insular population should be equated.

×

En Castilla y León, en 2021, la Junta de Castilla y León determina el comienzo del proyecto `Estudio para el seguimiento del estado de conservación de los anfibios y reptiles de Castilla y León`. Se realizó el muestreo dirigido sobre 18 cuadriculas UTM 10x10 km (2 por provincia) seleccionadas sobre hábitats favorables de las 13 ZEC propuestas en el Plan de Monitorización del Estado de Conservación de la Biodiversidad; de los Espacios Protegidos de la Red Natura 2000 y de los Espacios Naturales Protegidos de Castilla y León. La metodología es tomada del programa SARE (Seguimiento de los Anfibios y Reptiles Españoles). Además, dentro de los objetivos, se llevó a cabo la revisión bibliográfica y el muestreo específico para aumentar el conocimiento de tres especies de anfibios de interés comunitario: R. dalmatina, C. lusitanica e I. alpestris. Por un lado, la sequia del año 2022 ha producido malos resultados en los muestreos de anfibios con lo que habría que repetir el esfuerzo realizado sobre las especies prioritarias y por otro se han obtenido abundancias más bajas que el año anterior. En anfibios la especie que alcanzó mayor densidad en la mayoría de las estaciones donde estaba presente resultó ser E. calamita, seguido de L. boscai y P. perezi,. La media de la densidad máxima de anfibios ya metamorfoseados es mayor para los anuros que para los urodelos. La densidad larvaria máxima no varió significativamente por regiones biogeográficas, aunque los anuros fueron ligeramente más abundantes en la región mediterránea que en la atlántica. Las densidades larvarias variaron entre especies, siendo especialmente abundantes en A. obstetricans, P. cultripes, R. parvipalmata y T. pygmeus. Las especies de reptiles más abundantes durante los dos años de muestreo fueron: M. leprosa, I. cyreni, I. martinezricai, E. orbicularis, P. algirus, I. monticola y P. muralis. La densidad máxima varió significativamente entre grupos taxonómicos, con una densidad alta en quelonios, media en saurios, y muy pequeña en ofidios. Para calcular tendencias poblacionales se requieren tres años de seguimiento, hasta que no termine el 2023, no podemos valorar una posible evolución. No obstante hemos obtenido conclusiones metodológicas. Por ejemplo la inclusión de estaciones de muestreo especialmente favorables en zonas limítrofes a las cuadrículas UTM 10x10 ha sido acertada y, de hecho, probablemente hubiera sido todavía más acertado elegir las estaciones de muestreo sin atender a los límites de las cuadriculas. Los resultados corroboran que el área de estudio presenta poblaciones abundantes de anfibios y reptiles, aunque no exentas de problemas y muy variables en importancia según la zona geográfica, destacando la riqueza de las poblaciones de quelonios. También, y como cabría esperar, la biología particular de ofidios y quelonios aconseja la realización de censos específicos para estos grupos con objeto de obtener medidas más realistas de sus abundancias.

×

The application of molecular markers to the study of geographic variation in widely distributed species has often revealed new species that had been overlooked because of their superficial resemblance to related taxa. A good example are lizards in the Podarcis hispanica s.l. complex, which after taxonomic revision (Geniez et al., 2014) was split into several species. In this communication we focus on two of them, Podarcis guadarramae and P. virescens, broadly distributed in central Iberia but with poorly defined ranges in Comunidad de Madrid and neighboring regions. García París et al. (1989) first described the distribution of Podarcis hispanica s.l. in Madrid, illustrating with pictures distinctive coloration patterns associated to different areas in the region, but since then there have been no followup studies taking into account taxonomic changes and delineating the ranges of the two species in the complex that are present in Madrid. In this study we delimited the range boundaries of P. guadarramae and P. virescens in Comunidad de Madrid through a combination of molecular analyses and morphological data and the modeling of their potential distributions. The occurrence of Podarcis guadarramae in Madrid comprises the mountains of Sierra de Guadarrama and their foothills, on geological settings of quartzite, granite, and shale, at altitudes ranging from 650 m in the Alberche river valley up to 2000 m in the southern slopes of Siete Picos, with an incompletely defined contact zone with Podarcis virescens extending parallel to Sierra de Guadarrama, along the municipalities of Cenicientos, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Villamanta, Zarzalejo, Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Torrelodones, Hoyo de Manzanares, Soto del Real, El Berrueco and El Cardoso. We confirm the record of P. guadarramae in Torrejón de la Calzada, and identify other population isolates in the city of Toledo (confirmed with molecular data) and San Martín de Montalbán (morphological data). Podarcis virescens spreads through most of the Madrid region, from 494 m in Aranjuez up to around 950 m in Colmenar Viejo, not overlapping with P. guadarramae, thus displaying a complementary distribution over geological settings of gravel, sandstone, and dolomites in the southeastern part of the region. This species is common in constructions and anthropized areas, and can be found mostly in low elevation plains and plateaus, often in agricultural land, but also in urban areas and parks, as well as in natural habitats like forested hills with rocky outcrops. Our results suggest the possible existence of ecological differentiation processes that might contribute to reproductive isolation between the two species.

×

The Mediterranean Basin has experienced extensive change in geology and climate over the past six million years. Yet, the relative importance of key geological events for the distribution and genetic structure of the Mediterranean fauna remains poorly understood. Here, we use population genomic and phylogenomic analyses to establish the evolutionary history and genetic structure of common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis). This species is particularly informative because, in contrast to other Mediterranean lizards, it is widespread across the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan Peninsulas, and in extra-Mediterranean regions. We found strong support for six major lineages within P. muralis, which were largely discordant with the phylogenetic relationship of mitochondrial DNA. The most recent common ancestor of extant P. muralis was likely distributed in the Italian Peninsula, and experienced an “Out-of-Italy” expansion following the Messinian salinity crisis (∼5 Mya), resulting in the differentiation into the extant lineages on the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan Peninsulas. Introgression analysis revealed that both inter- and intraspecific gene flows have been pervasive throughout the evolutionary history of P. muralis. For example, the Southern Italy lineage has a hybrid origin, formed through admixture between the Central Italy lineage and an ancient lineage that was the sister to all other P. muralis. More recent genetic differentiation is associated with the onset of the Quaternary glaciations, which influenced population dynamics and genetic diversity of contemporary lineages. These results demonstrate the pervasive role of Mediterranean geology and climate for the evolutionary history and population genetic structure of extant species.

×

Archaeolacerta bedriagae is a Corso-Sardinian endemism, known only from the Corsican Islet La Folaca, but recently discovered on two other islets (Lavezzi satellite islands). All three populations genetically belong to the sub-Corsican clade. The micro-insular distribution of this lizard is limited to the islands and islets of the Strait of Bonifacio. The absence of the Bedriaga`s rock lizard in the Corsican main islands of Lavezzi and Cavallo still remains unexplained; however, for the latter, habitat alterations and the introduction of alien species could be the cause. The absence of the Bedriaga`s rock lizard from the other Lavezzi islets may have been influenced by the morphology and vegetation cover of these islets.

×

Studies of the effects of insularity on animal signals are scarce, particularly in lizards. Here, we use Lilford’s wall lizard from Dragonera (Podarcis lilfordi gigliolii) to ask how island conditions have affected its repertoire of social signals, focusing on two visual signals shared by many Podarcis species: ultraviolet (UV)–blue-reflecting ventrolateral colour patches and visual displays. We examined whether the number or spectral characteristics of the UV–blue patches are associated with traits related to individual quality. We also used visual models to assess visual conspicuousness and to measure sexual dichromatism. We did not observe foot shakes or any other visual displays usually found in continental Podarcis. We found that none of the UV–blue patch variables covaried with morphometric variables indicative of fighting ability or body condition in males, suggesting that this coloration does not signal individual quality. We also found very little sexual dichromatism. In particular, the UV–blue patches of females seem over-expressed and more similar to those of males than those of continental Podarcis. Ancestral state reconstruction reveals that the lack of sexual dimorphism in the UV–blue patches is a derived condition for P. lilfordi gigliolii and other Podarcis living on small islands. Our results thus show a pattern of reduced social signalling in P. lilfordi gigliolii relative to mainland Podarcis, with some signals being lost or under-expressed (visual displays) and others losing their signalling function (UV–blue patches). We hypothesize that these changes are attributable to the high population density of P. lilfordi gigliolii, which discourages territorial behaviour and promotes extreme social tolerance, making most social signals unnecessary. More work will be needed to determine whether this is a common pattern in lizards inhabiting small and densely populated islands.

×

In addition to species of the North Spanish herpetofauna the allochthonous and wellestablished populations of the Ibiza wall lizard Podarcis pityusensis and the Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus were observed at Spain`s Atlantic coast.

×

This report describes the successful keeping of adult and juvenile Timon lepidus and male starred agama in a common enclosure.

×

In the spring of 193o, the German zoologist Martin Eisentraut performed some field experiments with the Ibiza wall lizard Podarcis pityusensis (Boscá, 1883). When he found out that the small rocky island of Illa Negra de Llevant, located at the entrance to the port of Ibiza Town and close to the coast, seemed to have no lizard population of its own, he released a total of 5o specimens of the melanistic subspecies Podarcis pityusensis maluquerorum from the island of Bleda Plana. Although, these translocation experiments were published by Eisentraut (193o, 1949), they were obviously not known to all subsequent authors, and so the lizards encountered on the Illa Negra de Llevant in the period from 1979 onwards were always assigned to the nominate form Podarcis pityusensis pityusensis due to their similarity to the lizards of Ibiza. Previous investigations could not clarify whether the lizards of the Illa Negra de Llevant are descendants of the animals released by Eisentraut or whether they are specimens of a new introduction. With the results of our own investigations, we would like to contribute to solve the mystery of the lizards of the Illa Negra de Llevant.

×

Lizards comprise 7176 described species all over the world. Of these, 362 species belong to the family Lacertidae. Herein, the cranial skeletal differences and similarities of Anatololacerta anatolica (Werner, 1900) and Anatololacerta pelasgiana (Mertens 1959) species, which are distributed in the south and north of the Büyük Menderes River in Turkey and are included in the family Lacertidae, were investigated. Osteological characters are important for biological information. In the crrent study, the cranial osteology of A. anatolica and A. pelasgiana are described based on cleared and double-stained specimens. We used 15 museum samples, which stored in the Fauna Flora Research and Applied Centre (Dokuz Eylül University), for each species in the current study. Our result suggests that at least the skull roof, nasal and palatal regions of skull of A. anatolica can be distinguished from those of specimens of A. pelasgiana. These differences are caused by the nasal process of the premaxilla, the posterior process of the nasal, the junction of the anterolateral and anteromedial process of the frontal, the posterolateral margin of the frontal and the numbers of teeth that are on the premaxilla, maxilla, dentary, and pterygoid bones. Despite the large number of lacertid lizards, information about the detailed descriptions of their cranial osteology is scarce. In this study, comparative detailed cranial osteology of these two allopatric species separated by the Büyük Menderes River as a geographic barrier was performed. In this way, it is aimed to provide important data for future comparative morphological studies.