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I here describe lacertid and snake remains from the classic Middle Miocene (MN 6) locality Bonanza of the Devínska Kobyla Hill near Bratislava (Slovakia). The locality is famous for being a type locality of an early seal Devinophoca Koretsky & Holec, 2002. During the Middle Miocene, the area of Devínska Nová Ves was part of an archipelago in the western part of the Central Paratethys in the northern part of the Vienna basin. The fossils described here comprise an incomplete left maxilla of a lacertid lizard and an articulated portion of a vertebral column of a small colubrid snake with several ribs still attached. The maxilla is tentativelly allocated here to Lacerta Linnaeus, 1758 and is a rare instance of the occurrence of the clade Lacertidae Oppel, 1811 in this environment during the Middle Miocene. Moreover, it represents the oldest known occurence of this clade in Slovakia. Articulated snake specimens from the Cenozoic are rare and although only party articulated, the specimen from Bonanza is therefore exceptional. On the basis of vertebrae alone, determination of fossil colubrids is very difficult. The morphology of the Bonanza specimen is most similar to the extant Dolichophis Gistel, 1868, as also to other small fossil snakes assigned to 'Coluber' Linnaeus, 1758 when that genus was a catch-all grade taxon recognised from both Europe and North America, notably 'Coluber' dolnicensis Szyndlar, 1987 and 'Coluber' pouchetii (Rochebrune, 1880). Because the potentially closest living relative of the European Miocene 'Coluber' is Dolichophis, I assigned tentatively the material from Bonanza to cf. Dolichophis, rather than to the wastebasket taxon 'Coluber'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure of the tuberculate dorsal and lamellar ventral skin of the body in rock lizards of different ages (Darevskia raddei, D. nairensis, D. valentini, D. dahli, and D. armeniaca) was described for the first time. The thickness of the skin in the most xerophilic species (D. raddei) is less than that in the more hygrophilic species. Rock lizards have single or paired longitudinal skin folds that are not closed from the side, which stretch along the inner side of the scutes to the distal edge. Small folds are also present in the lining of the squamous pocket; they consist of all layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. A large fold can completely block the cavity of the squamous pocket, the volume of which changes with contraction of the subcutaneous muscle bundles reaching the bases of the scutes. Small folds are also present on the scales of tuberculate skin. In mesophilic lizards (Zootoca vivipara), similar formations appear at later stages of postnatal ontogenesis than in rock lizards. The likely functional significance of the described skin structures is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The genus Takydromus (Squamata: Lacertidae) currently comprises 24 species distributed in East (Eastern Palearctic) and Southeast (Oriental) Asia. Of these 24 species, 15 can be found in China, 8 only in the Chinese mainland and adjacent countries or regions, 6 only in Taiwan and 1 (T. kuehnei) on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Here, we described a new Takydromus species from the suburb of Guilin, northeastern Guangxi, South China, based on morphological and mitochondrial DNA data. From the phylogeny reconstructed with a mitochondrial DNA fragment (CO1 and cyt b), we know that the new species differs from its congeners and that it is a sister taxon to T. intermedius. Morphologically, the new species can be diagnosed from other Takydromus species from the same clade. Based on the above multiple lines of evidence, we suggest that this lacertid lizard from Guilin should be named as a new species, Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. The discovery of this species increases the total number of Takydromus species to 25, of which 16 can be found in China. During our collecting trip to Guangxi in 2016, we collected ten specimens of the genus Takydromus from the suburb of Guilin, northeastern Guangxi, South China, and found that they did not belong to any currently known species. Here, we described this new species, Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov., based on morphological and mitochondrial DNA (CO1 and cyt b) data. This new species is a sister taxon to T. intermedius with a p-distance of 0.070 in CO1 and 0.080 in cyt b. These two p-distances exceed not only the minimum value (0.067) between T. septentrionalis and T. stejnegeri but also the minimum value (0.079) between T. intermedius and T. yunkaiensis. Morphologically, this new species differs from other currently recognized Takydromus species from the same clade, more evidently in the longitudinal rows of dorsal scales, transverse rows of scales at the mid-body and mensural variables. The description of Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. increases the total number of Takydromus species to 25, of which 16 can be found in China. Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. is currently known only from Guilin, Guangxi, South China, where it is sympatric with the other four Takydromus species (T. septentrionalis, T. kuehnei, T. sexlineatus and T. intermedius). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lacertid wall lizards of the genus Podarcis (Wagler, 1830) originate from Western Europe and are divided into 24-25 species (Speybroeck et al., 2020). Despite the abundance of phylogenetic studies referring to the genus, the relationships among certain species, as well as the taxonomic status of some genealogical lineages, remain unclear due to great genetic diversity. The common wall lizard Podarcis muralis has a relatively wide distribution and despite the existence of various molecular studies focused on this species, its Greek populations had never been thoroughly sampled until now. To fill in this geographical gap, we sampled the species' Greek distribution and constructed phylogenies that uncovered the presence of at least five monophyletic lineages that correspond to different geographic regions. Furthermore, species delimitation analyses assigned all lineages to a single species diversifying during the early Pleistocene (c. 1.93 mya). The strong association of the genetic lineages with specific geographical regions coupled with the Pleistocene diversification of the group imply the presence of multiple refugia within Greece and, by extension, the Balkan peninsula, supporting a refugia-within-refugia scenario. Finally, in an effort to clarify the position of these new samples within the larger phylogeny of P. muralis , a larger phylogeny was constructed which indicated that the Greek populations cluster with the central European, Italian and Turkish populations of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nocturnal temperatures are increasing at a pace exceeding diurnal temperatures in most parts of the world. The role of warmer nocturnal temperatures in animal ecology has received scant attention and most studies focus on diurnal or daily descriptors of thermal environments' temporal trends. Yet, available evidence from plant and insect studies suggests that organisms can exhibit contrasting physiological responses to diurnal and nocturnal warming. Limiting studies to diurnal trends can thus result in incomplete and misleading interpretations of the ability of species to cope with global warming. Although they are expected to be impacted by warmer nocturnal temperatures, insufficient data are available regarding the night‐time ecology of vertebrate ectotherms. Here, we illustrate the complex effects of nocturnal warming on squamate reptiles, a keystone group of vertebrate ectotherms. Our review includes discussion of diurnal and nocturnal ectotherms, but we mainly focus on diurnal species for which nocturnal warming affects a period dedicated to physiological recovery, and thus may perturb activity patterns and energy balance. We first summarise the physical consequences of nocturnal warming on habitats used by squamate reptiles. Second, we describe how such changes can alter the energy balance of diurnal species. We illustrate this with empirical data from the asp viper (Vipera aspis) and common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), two diurnal species found throughout western Europe. Third, we make use of a mechanistic approach based on an energy‐balance model to draw general conclusions about the effects of nocturnal temperatures. Fourth, we examine how warmer nights may affect squamates over their lifetime, with potential consequences on individual fitness and population dynamics. We review quantitative evidence for such lifetime effects using recent data derived from a range of studies on the European common lizard (Zootoca vivipara). Finally, we consider the broader eco‐evolutionary ramifications of nocturnal warming and highlight several research questions that require future attention. Our work emphasises the importance of considering the joint influence of diurnal and nocturnal warming on the responses of vertebrate ectotherms to climate warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied at least part of Kuhnʼs original material of lizards from the Paleocene (~ MP 5) of the Walbeck locality in Germany. The collection was considered to be lost but is consistently discussed in the literature due to its importance. We restudied the type material of aff. Parasauromalus paleocenicus and aff. Glyptosaurus walbeckensis described by Kuhn in 1940. The former was originally allocated to Iguania, the latter to Anguimorpha, though later on these identifications were questioned by several authors. We show such a classification of both cannot be upheld. P. paleocenicus resembles the morphology of lacertids showing their presence in Europe already around MP 5. We consider the name P. paleocenicus as a nomen dubium. The material of aff. G. walbeckensis was later suggested to belong to Lacertidae and also considered as a potential amphisbaenian. Although it differs from modern amphisbaenians, it shares features with one supposed polyodontobaenid – Camptognathosaurus parisiensis. The Walbeck form is identical to this species. Since the Walbeck taxon was described in 1940, the principle of priority makes Camptognathosaurus parisiensis a junior synonym of the species erected by Kuhn. We propose a new combined name for this form, Camptognathosaurus walbeckensis comb. nov. The specimen figured by Kuhn is currently lost, thus we designate a neotype from Walbeck. However, this taxon differs significantly from Polyodontobaena and new data doubt the attribution of Camptognathosaurus to Amphisbaenia. This taxon is tentatively assigned here to Lacertidae, as further confirmed by phylogenetic analyses. Material of Scincoidea is also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the diets of reptiles is essential for understanding the role of reptiles in the ecosystem and the employment of successful conservation management plans. For this purpose, noninvasive and invasive methods to identify consumed prey have been used. Here, we investigated the diet of male and female European Green Lizards (Lacerta viridis) by sampling fecal pellets across 2 yr in the spring and late summer at a single site. We used the following two methods for identifying prey remnants from fecal samples: the classical macroscopic approach that requires competent expert knowledge and the molecular approach based on the dietary metabarcoding of nondegraded prey remnant DNA. According to both methods, lizards consumed mainly insects belonging to 13 orders, with Coleoptera as the dominant prey. The number of prey taxa was similar between the sexes, but the prey composition at the genus level was significantly different, with males capturing some coleopterans more than females. The diets also differed significantly between season. In the spring, lizards consumed many more prey types and many more coleopteran specimens than in late summer. The proportion of identified prey taxa was significantly different between the identification methods. From the total of identified prey, macroscopic identification yielded only about 50% of taxa, whereas molecular identification yielded more than 80% of taxa. Our results show that molecular identification can recover a much higher number of prey than the macroscopic method, yet not all prey. Thus, the integration of both methods best described the natural diet and complex trophic interactions of European Green Lizards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aeolian wall lizard, Podarcis raffonei , is an endangered species endemic to the Aeolian archipelago, Italy, where it is present only in 3 tiny islets and a narrow promontory of a larger island. Because of the extremely limited area of occupancy, severe population fragmentation and observed decline, it has been classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Using Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) High Fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing, Bionano optical mapping and Arima chromatin conformation capture sequencing (Hi-C), we produced a high-quality, chromosome-scale reference genome for the Aeolian wall lizard, including Z and W sexual chromosomes. The final assembly spans 1.51 Gb across 28 scaffolds with a contig N50 of 61.4 Mb, a scaffold N50 of 93.6 Mb, and a BUSCO completeness score of 97.3%. This genome constitutes a valuable resource for the species to guide potential conservation efforts and more generally for the squamate reptiles that are underrepresented in terms of available high-quality genomic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated image classification is a thriving field of machine learning, and various successful applications dealing with biological images have recently emerged. In this work, we address the ability of these methods to identify species that are difficult to tell apart by humans due to their morphological similarity. We focus on distinguishing species of wall lizards, namely those belonging to the Podarcis hispanicus species complex, which constitutes a well-known example of cryptic morphological variation. We address two classification experiments: (1) assignment of images of the morphologically relatively distinct P. bocagei and P. lusitanicus ; and (2) distinction between the overall more cryptic nine taxa that compose this complex. We used four datasets (two image perspectives and individuals of the two sexes) and three deep-learning models to address each problem. Our results suggest a high ability of the models to identify the correct species, especially when combining predictions from different perspectives and models (accuracy of 95.9% and 97.1% for females and males, respectively, in the two-class case; and of 91.2% to 93.5% for females and males, respectively, in the nine-class case). Overall, these results establish deep-learning models as an important tool for field identification and monitoring of cryptic species complexes, alleviating the burden of expert or genetic identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a considerable fraction of eukaryote genomes representing a major source of genetic variability. We describe two DNA sequences isolated in the lizard Zootoca vivipara, here named Zv516 and Zv817. Both sequences are single-copy nuclear sequences, including a truncation of two transposable elements (TEs), SINE Squam1 in Zv516 and a Tc1/Mariner-like DNA transposon in Zv817. FISH analyses with Zv516 showed the occurrence of interspersed signals of the SINE Squam1 sequence on all chromosomes of Z. vivipara and quantitative dot blot indicated that this TE is present with about 4700 copies in the Z. vivipara genome. FISH and dot blot with Zv817 did not produce clear hybridization signals. Bioinformatic analysis showed the presence of active SINE Squam 1 copies in the genome of different lacertids, in different mRNAs, and intronic and coding regions of various genes. The Tc1/Mariner-like DNA transposon occurs in all reptiles, excluding Sphenodon and Archosauria. Zv817 includes a trait of 284 bp, representing an amniote ultra-conserved element (UCE). Using amniote UCE homologous sequences from available whole genome sequences of major amniote taxonomic groups, we performed a phylogenetic analysis which retrieved Prototheria as the sister group of Metatheria and Eutheria. Within diapsids, Testudines are the sister group to Aves + Crocodylia (Archosauria), and Sphenodon is the sister group to Squamata. Furthermore, large trait regions flanking the UCE are conserved at family level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Islands represent hotspots of biodiversity and ideal places to study evolutionary processes. Wall lizards of the genus Podarcis are widespread and well-studied species in Europe, and they are present on several islands and islets across the Mediterranean. They show a remarkable hidden insular biodiversity that has often revealed the presence of undescribed biological entities. In this study, both the genetic and morphological diversity of the populations of P. siculus of the Tuscan Archipelago were investigated. Our results revealed an intriguing biogeographical pattern which could be the result of at least two different colonization waves. Particularly, we identified a new ancient insular clade from Giglio and Capraia islands which surely deserves conservation efforts and further taxonomic investigation. The Tuscan Archipelago is one of the most ancient and ecologically heterogeneous island systems in the Mediterranean. The biodiversity of these islands was strongly shaped by the Pliocene and Pleistocene sea regressions and transgression, resulting in different waves of colonization and isolation of species coming from the mainland. The Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, is present on the following islands of the Tuscan Archipelago: Elba, Giglio, Giannutri, Capraia, Montecristo and Cerboli. The species in the area displays a relatively high morphological variability that in the past led to the description of several subspecies. In this study, both the genetic and morphological diversity of P. siculus of the Tuscan Archipelago were investigated. Specifically, the meristic characters and the dorsal pattern were analyzed, while the genetic relationships among these populations were explored with mtDNA and microsatellite nuclear markers to reconstruct the colonization history of the Archipelago. Our results converge in the identification of at least two different waves of colonization in the Archipelago: Elba, and the populations of Cerboli and Montecristo probably originate from historical introductions from mainland Tuscany, while those of Giglio and Capraia are surviving populations of an ancient lineage which colonized the Tuscan Archipelago during the Pliocene and which shares a common ancestry with the P. siculus populations of south-eastern Italy. Giannutri perhaps represents an interesting case of hybridization between the populations from mainland Tuscany and the Giglio-Capraia clade. Based on the high phenotypic and molecular distinctiveness of this ancient clade, these populations should be treated as distinct units deserving conservation and management efforts as well as further investigation to assess their taxonomic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The wide-ranging Eurasian species Zootoca vivipara (Lichtenstein, 1823), of the family Lacertidae (Reptilia), is a rare species within the family, possessing multiple sex chromosomes (male Z1Z2Z1Z2/Z1Z2W female). In addition, the intense reorganization of this W sex chromosome is accompanied by active subspeciation and the formation of 4–5 cryptic taxa. In the females of two cryptic forms having a similar system of multiple sex chromosomes (Z1Z2W) but with different morphology, the cytogenetic and specific genomic structures of the W sex chromosome's early oogenesis and meiosis have standard occurrence. Despite the ambiguous behavior of the three presumed sex chromosomes at the early stages of meiotic prophase I, variability in their number of bivalents and chromosomes and significant disturbances in chromosome segregation have not been discovered. Because in Z. vivipara the W sex chromosome, unlike all the other chromosomes, does not have several identified SINE-Zv and TE elements, we may assume that the specific genomic structure of this chromosome may be one of the factors ensuring meiotic stability in the cryptic taxa of the species with the multiple sex chromosomes. The question of female meiotic drive in the meiosis of the cryptic forms of the Z. vivipara complex is still obscure. This brief review is focused on the viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara (Lichtenstein, 1823), of the family Lacertidae, which possesses female heterogamety and multiple sex chromosomes (male 2n = 36, Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W, female 2n = 35, with variable W sex chromosome). Multiple sex chromosomes and their changes may influence meiosis and the female meiotic drive, and they may play a role in reproductive isolation. In two cryptic taxa of Z. vivipara with different W sex chromosomes, meiosis during early spermatogenesis and oogenesis proceeds normally, without any disturbances, with the formation of haploid spermatocytes, and in female meiosis with the formation of synaptonemal complexes (SCs) and the lampbrush chromosomes. In females, the SC number was constantly equal to 19 (according to the SC length, 16 SC autosomal bivalents plus three presumed SC sex chromosome elements). No variability in the chromosomes at the early stages of meiotic prophase I, and no significant disturbances in the chromosome segregation at the anaphase–telophase I stage, have been discovered, and haploid oocytes (n = 17) at the metaphase II stage have been revealed. There should be a factor/factors that maintain the multiple sex chromosomes, their equal transmission, and the course of meiosis in these cryptic forms of Z. vivipara. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some aspects of thermal biology were considered in three species of the lizard genus Darevskia: the parthenogenetic Darevskia armeniaca and D. unisexualis, and their parental bisexual species Darevskia valentini. The main objective of the present research was to compare the thermal biology of these species in a mixed population. Material was captured at four localities in Armenia: Kuchak, Dilijan, Mets Sepasar, and Artavaz in summer 2007, 2013, 2016, and 2018, respectively. Their snout-vent length and cloacal body temperature, as well as air and substrate temperatures were measured. The following differences in the thermal biology of the study species were revealed: D. unisexualis had a relatively low activity temperature range (T = 22.0–32.8°C, vs. 25.6–35.6°C for D. armeniaca or 25.3–35.4°C for D. valentini). The body temperatures of different species were found to correlate differently with both the air temperature and the substrate temperature under the conditions of their coexistence at Kuchak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Anatololacerta is distributed in the eastern Mediterranean region including Asia Minor and some east Aegean islands. Recent phylogenetic studies suggested that this genus displayed cryptic diversity and was divided into five species: A. anatolica, A. pelasgiana, A. ibrahimi, A. finikensis and A. danfordi. The ecological niche differentiations of these species have not been studied so far. Our aims for this study were to predict the potential suitable habitats for the species nested in genus Anatololacerta, and to examine the niche overlaps and differentiations via identity and background tests. The occurrence data were obtained from literature and our own field surveys. Occurrence records were rarefied and assessed in a 30 arc-second resolution layer, compatible with several bioclimatic and topographic variables. Species distribution analyses were performed using maximum entropy approach and pairwise niche comparisons were evaluated by identity and background tests. Our results demonstrated that the species delimitation among this genus was not only affected by geographic isolation but also that precipitation and temperature influenced the habitat suitability for these species. Predicted suitability usually well matched the actual species distributions. Moreover, the niche overlap (identity test) analyses verified that allopatric Anatololacerta species show clear ecological differentiations. However, a niche overlap between parapatric species A. pelasgiana and A. finikensis, was confirmed by identity and background tests. It has been suggested that these parapatric species could be more affected by microclimatological parameters than the others. The results of our study are in agreement with the latest phylogenetic study within this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. As introduced, populations may increase in abundance and expand geographical range, so does the potential for negative impacts on native communities. As such, it is necessary to understand the processes driving range expansion, before a species becomes established in new areas. Through an investigation into capacity for population growth and range expansion of introduced populations of a non-native lizard, we aimed to demonstrate how multi-scale factors influence spatial spread, population growth, and invasion potential in introduced species. The Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis siculus) was introduced multiple times to the United States with extant populations in California, Kansas, New Jersey, and New York. Recently, a single specimen was discovered in British Columbia, Canada, and unstudied populations are on Orcas Island and Missouri (USA). We used phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA sequences (cytb gene) of individuals sampled from these introduced populations and across the native range to identify potential source populations. Our phylogenetic analysis result with documentation of the introductions revealed that the Canadian individual is derived from the Tuscany clade (together with samples from Kansas and New York). The New Jersey population is likely from the Adriatic clade and the Californian one from Sicily. The Orcas Island and Missouri populations still require study. Consequently, humans are key drivers of the distribution of alien reptiles in North America, but the distributions are determined by a complex interplay between human activities, geographic factors and species features. Genetic evidence is essential for reliable biogeographic assessment of invasive species, particularly in systems with a long history of human influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss can increase the susceptibility of individuals to parasitic infections, and hence, parasite load can serve as an early warning indicator of stress before the persistence of a population becomes threatened. In this study, we tested the effects of patch characteristics, isolation and landscape composition resulting from habitat loss on the tick load of individuals from central populations of the Eastern Green Lizard Lacerta viridis. We identified the spatial scale at which each landscape composition parameter has the strongest effect and evaluated its effects at this scale. Additionally, we tested the relationships between tick load and population density and body condition (BC) to understand possible mechanisms that determine tick loads in populations. We found that tick load was not affected by host population density. BC was not found to be affected by tick load, but BC did have a negative effect on lizards' tick loads. The proportion of habitat and cropland in the landscape and patch size had positive effects on tick loads, whereas the proportion of urbanized areas, isolation and perimeter/area ratio had negative effects. We discuss our finding in the context of how the landscape can affect tick populations and other potential hosts. We conclude that tick load can be a suitable early warning indicator of negative effects of habitat loss, reflecting the susceptibility of lizards to infestation. We suggest that this indicator be included in monitoring programs aiming at evaluating the status of populations of L. viridis in modified landscapes, and recommend that conservation measures be focused on the protection of habitat at broader scales to compensate negative effects of cropland and urbanized areas occurring at small scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution and occurrence of a species in its habitat are inevitably linked to its ecology. To successfully monitor and protect species, it is important to investigate which species-specific factors influence its interactions with the environment. In this study, we focus on patterns in habitat use of the Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis). Differences in seasonal as well as sex and size class-dependent habitat use have been reported from the edges of this species' range. To verify such trends in the core area of its distribution, we analyzed the habitat factors weather, microclimate, microhabitat structures, and time dependence, which may have an impact on the use of space of the Sand Lizard. Using generalized linear models, hypervolumes, density estimations, and Chi-squared tests, we found that the movement patterns of individuals can neither be described by time differences, climatic conditions, or habitat composition, nor do they show habitat- or weather-related differences of movement between sexes or size. Here we demonstrate that in the case of a population from the core of this species' distribution area in the Dellbrücker Heide (Germany), habitat use is solely influenced to a low degree by differences related to the ontogeny of Sand Lizards and does not depend on any of the other evaluated factors. These results are in enormous contrast to findings in populations from the periphery of their distribution, i.e., the United Kingdom, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Pyrenees. This implies that seasonal habitat shifts are more extreme at the edges of the range of L. agilis, serving to compensate deteriorating habitat conditions in the periphery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viviparity has evolved independently multiple times within squamate reptiles. In the Lacertidae, two genera and several species from the Northern Hemisphere are known to be viviparous. However, although viviparity is present in many African reptiles, all African lacertids were considered exclusively oviparous. The lacertid genus Tropidosaura is restricted to mountainous grassland habitats across central and southern South Africa. Prompted by the dissection of a gravid T. essexi specimen containing well-developed embryos, we dissected additional gravid females from two museum collections to assess parity mode in the four Tropidosaura species. Gravid females of three species contained developing eggs, but all gravid Tropidosaura essexi specimens examined exhibited simple placental development or contained well-developed embryos with the presence of a simple placenta and an absence of any eggshell. The large yolks and simple placentae suggest that viviparity in T. essexi is lecithotrophic. T. essexi thus represents the only known viviparous species of lacertid in Africa and therefore, the first known viviparous lacertid in the Southern Hemisphere, revealing yet another independent case of the evolution of viviparity within the squamates. T. essexi occurs at higher maximum elevations than any of its oviparous congeners, and the recorded litter size in T. essexi was slightly higher than the clutch sizes of other members of the genus. Previously reported oviparity in T. essexi may either be the result of specimen misidentification or potential bimodal reproductive in this species, but this latter explanation is unlikely, given that none of the T. essexi examined in this study showed evidence of oviparity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we re-examine the Darevskia parvula group comprehensively using morphology, osteology and mitochondrial phylogeny, and describe a new endemic species from Turkey: Darevskia tuniyevisp. nov. A total of 257 adult specimens were evaluated for external morphology (scalation and biometry) with univariate (descriptive statistics and ANOVA with post-hoc tests) and multivariate (Discriminant Analysis and ANOSIM) analyses. In parallel, osteological data and molecular analyses using three DNA markers (mitochondrial 16S rRNA and Cyt-b, nuclear Rag-1) were used to complete the description of the new taxon. The molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated that the D. parvula group is composed of three taxa as D. parvula, D. adjarica and D. tuniyevisp. nov., and showed that D. adjarica and D. tuniyevisp. nov. are reciprocal sister taxa. On the other hand, D. adjarica is morphologically very different from other two forms, while D. parvula is hardly distinguishable externally from D. tuniyevisp. nov. Therefore, we can consider that D. parvula and D. tuniyevisp. nov. are cryptic species. These two cryptic species retain their primitive morphology within the group, while D. adjarica has changed, perhaps due to different bioclimatic conditions in its Pleistocene refuge and current area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have reported declines in lizard populations associated with local warming trends and alteration of thermal niches. These studies suggest that there are some key physiological and behavioural parameters that determine the sensitivity of each species to the local context of global warming. The Atlas Dwarf Lizard, Atlantolacerta andreanskyi, is a small lacertid lizard endemic to the High Atlas Mountains (2200–3500 m a.s.l.) of Morocco. Its populations display a disjointed distribution across 440 km, consisting of phylogenetic lineages separated since the Miocene, suggesting a morphologically cryptic species complex. To establish whether this deeply rooted evolutionary divergence has promoted shifts in fundamental niche occupancy, but also whether there is any ecophysiological plasticity, preferred body temperatures (Tpref) and evaporative water loss (EWL) were examined in populations of the central and western High Atlas. Our results revealed no differences in Tpref across populations, but lower thermal preferences in (gravid) females. In contrast, EWL varied between populations, but not between sexes. In both cases, sexual patterns remained similar between populations, and differences were not evident between body sizes. Importantly, Tpref and EWL traded off, even if with a common trend across populations. These results suggest that ecophysiology remains mostly conservative within this species complex and that hydric ecology, which is more closely associated with body size, is more flexible than thermal ecology. The increase of lizard body size with altitude, in agreement with life history trends with seasonality observed in other Mountain Lizards, cannot be interpreted in terms of ecophysiological adaptation since the low-altitude populations of small lizards are the ones most exposed to dehydration. Rather, local environment and possibly aspects of evolutionary history could be involved. Overall, the ecophysiological conservativeness of this endemic species confirms its vulnerability to climate change, and indicates that hydric ecology needs to be incorporated into general models regarding how behavioural plasticity may mediate resilience to such changes. In this context, the low-altitude populations are the most vulnerable ones, and local management measures should focus on the conservation of vegetation and water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the cover: Teira dugesii, or Madeira wall lizard, is a species from the family Lacertidae (Squamata: Lacertidae) endemic of the Madeira archipelago (Portugal). Photo credit: Matthew Owen Moreira..On the cover: Teira dugesii, or Madeira wall lizard, is a species from the family Lacertidae (Squamata: Lacertidae) endemic of the Madeira archipelago (Portugal). Photo credit: Matthew Owen Moreira.. [Extracted from the article]

The demographic trend of a species depends on the dynamics of its local populations, which can be compromised by local or by global phenomena. However, the relevance of local and global phenomena has rarely been investigated simultaneously. Here, we tested whether local phenomena compromised a species' demographic trend using the Eurasian common lizard Zootoca vivipara , the terrestrial reptile exhibiting the widest geographic distribution, as a model species. We analyzed the species' ancient demographic trend using genetic data from its 6 allopatric genetic clades and tested whether its demographic trend mainly depended on single clades or on global phenomena. Zootoca vivipara 's effective population size increased since 2.3 million years ago and started to increase steeply and continuously from 0.531 million years ago. Population growth rate exhibited 2 maxima, both occurring during global climatic changes and important vegetation changes on the northern hemisphere. Effective population size and growth rate were negatively correlated with global surface temperatures, in line with global parameters driving long-term demographic trends. Zootoca vivipara 's ancient demography was neither driven by a single clade, nor by the 2 clades that colonized huge geographic areas after the last glaciation. The low importance of local phenomena, suggests that the experimentally demonstrated high sensitivity of this species to short-term ecological changes is a response in order to cope with short-term and local changes. This suggests that what affected its long-term demographic trend the most, were not these local changes/responses, but rather the important and prolonged global climatic changes and important vegetation changes on the northern hemisphere, including the opening up of the forest by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occurrence of the European extinct cordylid genus 'Bavaricordylus' from the early middle Miocene of Switzerland was recently questioned. Reanalysis of the Swiss material supports its assignment to the lacertid genus Janosikia, the presence of which is, therefore, indicated for the first time outside from southern Germany. Based on dentary morphology, it seems that two Janosikia morphotypes were present in the Miocene, one with a smooth and a second with a rough lateral surface of the dentary. The lacertid genus Janosikia seems to be confined to Central Europe, thriving there through at least the first half of the Miocene (from ca. 22 Ma to ca. 15.7 Ma). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding animal space use and habitat needs is a vital requirement for effective conservation and management measures. Considering the multiple instances in which landscapes are anthropogenically altered, it becomes increasingly important to understand what the spatial requirements of an animal are. However, smaller animals, like lizards, require finer-scale assessments, which cannot always be easily made. Therefore, we calculated home ranges of Lacerta agilis using data collected by radio tracking. We then studied microhabitat preference using high-resolution maps generated from photographs taken by unmanned aerial vehicles. Overall, lizards in the selected area seem to favour home ranges that include blackberry brush while avoiding high vegetation and sand. They use other structures according to individual preferences or unstudied factors. Our study portrays an efficient method with high spatial resolution to assess small-vertebrate habitat preferences, which can in turn be used in planning population-specific habitat management or compensatory measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We report the first record of Sikkim grass lizard, Takydromus sikkimensis Günther, 1888 in Nepal based on morphological characters such as the presence of four pairs of femoral pores, 12 rows of ventral scales, tail more than 3.6 times longer than snout-vent length. Our record of T. sikkimensis at Miklajung, Morang district represents the western-most observation of the species, ca. 94 km west of its type locality, Sikkim, India and is the first in Nepal for this species, genus, and family. This record is from Chure/Siwalik hill range which lies outside of Nepal's protected area network. This species is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and warrants detailed inventory and immediate conservation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several extinct species are known from the family Lacertidae, but due to poor preservation, many of them are based on single bones. Here, we compare phylogenetic signals of disarticulated premaxillae, maxillae and dentaries of lacertids from four French Oligocene localities (Coderet, La Colombière, Roqueprune 2, Mas de Got B). We identified five morphotypes among the premaxillae, six among the maxillae, and ten among the dentaries. These morphotypes were scored as individual taxa per locality into three separate character matrices with the same 246 characters, one matrix for each jaw element. Subsequently, the phylogenetic position of the morphotypes was tested using maximum parsimony. The consensus trees with the dentaries and the maxillae found a large polytomy including all taxa except the outgroup taxon Gekko gecko. The consensus tree with the premaxillae showed a considerably more resolved topology but found all morphotype taxa outside Lacertidae. In a second step, we compared the constitution of our three datasets and the morphotype taxa. Our results suggest that a combination of convergent characters and missing data led to the outgroup position of the premaxilla morphotype taxa. The poor resolution of the maxillae strict consensus is likely a consequence of their fragmentary preservation. For the dentaries, a high amount of missing data due to the high number of morphotype taxa most likely caused the poor tree resolution. Indeed, tests with fewer morphotypes found tree resolutions comparable to the premaxilla data. When linking the morphotypes, five possible lacertid "species" were found. Comparison with already known French Oligocene lacertid species points to a slightly higher species richness of Lacertidae at that time than known before. Reliable species classification based on phylogeny only seems possible when combining the jaw elements or in association with other cranial and postcranial material, putting some doubt on species identifications based on single bones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variations in the niches of species within a clade depend on the complex interplay among geography, climatic history, and species-specific factors. For the first time, we investigated the evolutionary patterns in the climate and habitat niches of 50 species in the order Squamata and a nested subclade (family Lacertidae) in southwest Europe. The habitats of species were characterized at three spatial levels: 1 km2 (macrohabitat), 2830 m2 (mesohabitat), and 100 m2 (microhabitat). We compared three evolutionary models Brownian motion, Ornstein-Uhlenbeck, and Early Burst and fitted Pagel models (lambda, kappa, and delta) to the niche variations to assess the strength of the phylogenetic signal, tempo, and mode of evolution. We expected: (i) that the habitat niche would be more labile than the climate niche; and (ii) variability in the rate of niche evolution as a response to recent climate cycles. The Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model provided a better fit for the different dimensions of the niche, implying evolutionary attraction towards the niche optimum. In the climatic niches for both groups of taxa, a model with an accelerated rate of evolution was preferred to alternative Pagel's models. We found a greater degree of phylogenetic signal in the climatic niche than in the habitat niche. Overall, squamates exhibited evolutionary lability according to the variation in the habitat structure, thereby suggesting that none of the major subclades is specialized for any specific habitat component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous molecular studies emphasized how past climatic oscillations in the Sahara‐Sahel have left strong imprints on current biodiversity patterns and identified the Atlantic coast and the Northwest African Mountains as refugia and speciation hotspots. Yet, the biodiversity inventory in the region is still far from complete. We use an integrative taxonomy framework to revise the systematics of the Mesalina olivieri species complex; integrating molecular, morphological, and environmental data, we evaluated levels of genetic and phenotypic differentiation among species/lineages and revised the species distribution limits of the M. olivieri complex, refining the distribution of Mesalina simoni, and Mesalina pasteuri. Our study confirmed one previously unidentified speciation event, leading to the description of Mesalina adrarensis sp. nov. Together with this new species, we also describe the south‐western Moroccan populations of M. olivieri as Mesalina simoni saharae ssp. nov. Mesalina adrarensis sp. nov. is sympatric with M. pasteuri and parapatric with M. simoni saharae ssp. nov. in Mauritania and southern Morocco. Based on our revised taxonomy, M. simoni now includes most populations of the M. olivieri complex in Morocco, M. olivieri being restricted in Morocco to the east and southeast of the country. We also build on these results to provide further insight on the biogeography of North Africa. Our results point to a diversification of the complex during the late Miocene, that led to the formation of the four species M. simoni, M. olivieri, M. pasteuri, and M. adrarensis sp. nov. After these four speciation events, high intraspecific diversification processes occurred since the beginning of the Plio‐Pleistocene transition, in parallel with the beginning of the humid and arid cycles. Through our phylogenetic analysis, we highlight the existence of high levels of undescribed intraspecific diversity in M. olivieri and M. pasteuri that will need to be addressed in future studies. Moreover, we uncover instances of cytonuclear discordances, stressing the need of considering both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA for integrative taxonomic studies to explore biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamate reptiles rely on the vomeronasal organ for chemoperception of their environment. This organ functionally associates with several structures, such as the nasolacrimal duct and choanal groove, which are morphologically diverse among species. In this study, we investigated the morphological characteristics and embryogenesis of the vomeronasal organ and its associated structures in the Japanese Grass Lizard (Takydromus tachydromoides). Separation of the complex of the nasolacrimal duct from the vomeronasal organ was observed in this species, a characteristic morphological feature among squamates. Additionally, we integrated the morphological characteristics of the vomeronasal organ and associated structures among squamates, focusing on topological relationships among the structures. The parsimony and likelihood methods for ancestral state reconstruction suggested the parallelism of several morphological characteristics during the evolutionary history of squamates: loss or reduction of the choanal groove, fusion between the nasolacrimal duct and choanal groove, and separation of the nasolacrimal duct from the vomeronasal organ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to elucidate mitochondrial evolution and resolve the phylogeny of the widely distributed European green lizards (Lacerta viridis complex), we determined 16 mitochondrial genomes from a representative sampling of the four previously identified major clades corresponding to L. bilineata (western distribution range), L. viridis (most of the eastern distribution range), the unnamed Adriatic (or West Balkan) and the Turkish + south-eastern European clades. The mitogenomes were on average 17,162 bp long with a canonical vertebrate gene inventory of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a long non-coding Control Region. We detected several almost completely clade-specific insert and tandem-repeat signatures. Phylogenetic analyses using all 13 protein-coding genes as well as rRNA- and tRNA-coding sequences from a total of 20 mitogenomes inferred a resolved branching pattern of the four divergent clades. The Turkish clade is strongly supported as sister to all other members of the complex. Within the monophylum comprising the remaining clades, L viridis is sister to a clade containing L. bilineata and the Adriatic clade. Unexpectedly, one specimen of western Italy (Calambrone, Pisa) – which is within the distribution range of L. bilineata – clustered together with the Adriatic clade with high bootstrap support, calling for further research on the biogeography of the L. viridis complex. Integrating our results with those of previous studies suggest that the lineages have reached the level of distinct taxa, but to determine whether they have become fully independent lineages on the species level requires further research that tackles nuclear genomic variation of all four clades and the viability of hybrids and gene flow within putative hybrid zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomy of the lacertid genus Darevskia has been complex since the first morphology-based studies. Darevskia valentini, mostly distributed in Turkey, currently includes three subspecies, but its interspecific and intraspecific taxonomic status has so far been shaped only by morphological evaluations, without molecular phylogenetic assessments. In this study, samples from the entire distribution of this species and its closest relatives were evaluated with molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multi-marker dataset, comprised of maternally-inherited mitochondrial and biparentally-inherited nuclear markers. We discovered two previously unrecognized genetically highly divergent lineages. The distinction of these two lineages is supported by gene trees, haplotype networks, divergence time estimation and species-delimitation analyses. We discuss possible taxonomic resolutions given that the phylogenies do not seem to agree with currently accepted taxonomy. Our results advance the knowledge of the ancestry of parthenogenesis as a result of past hybridization events between parental species pairs, because the paternal origin of some parthenogenetic species lies within the new lineages discovered here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the only viviparous reptile in China that has both temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) and genetic-dependent sex determination (GSD) mechanisms, Eremias multiocellata is considered as an ideal species for studying the sex determination mechanism in viviparous lizards. However, studies on embryonic stage of viviparous lizards and morphological characteristics of each stage are limited. In the present study, the embryonic development process of E. multiocellata is divided into 15 stages (stages 28-42) according to the morphology of embryos. Embryos sizes are measured and continuous dynamic variation of some key features, including limbs, genitals, eyes, pigments, and brain scales are color imaged by a stereoscopic microscope. Furthermore, based on these morphological characteristics, we compare the similarities and differences in the embryonic development of E. multiocellata with other squamate species. Our results not only identified the staging table of E. multiocellata with continuous changes of external morphological characteristics but also developed a staging scheme for an important model species that provides a necessary foundation for study of sex determination in a viviparous lizard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Iberian Algyroides (Algyroides marchi) is a lacertid lizard with one of the narrowest distribution ranges in continental Europe, restricted to a minute area in the Subbaetic mountains in SE Spain. Due to specific habitat requirements, this species is considered threatened by climate change and habitat degradation. Here, an improved and time-calibrated multilocus phylogenetic analysis, combining two mitochondrial, three nuclear markers as well as a battery of 12 microsatellite loci, was performed. Moreover, ancestral changes in effective population size were determined under Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) analysis. In parallel, past, present and future habitat suitability was inferred using Ecological Niche Models (ENMs). The diversification of A. marchi in the Iberian Peninsula began during the Upper-Pleistocene around 0.10 Mya. However, during the Last Interglacial the species had much larger suitable habitats along NE Iberia and/or the Cantabrian region. Indeed, ABC analysis indicates that not the Last Interglacial, but instead the Last Glacial Maximum led to a population bottleneck followed by a recovery/expansion. The footprint of this complex evolutionary history is reflected today in six monophyletic lineages, with little genetic differentiation and geographic coherency. This pattern most likely arises from the climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene, leading to a complete range shift and secondary contact, with very divergent haplogroups in sympatry and exchanging genes. Finally, the ENMs predict a considerable future retraction and shift in the area suitable for the species, which should be taken into account for conservation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimentally assessing the preferred body temperature (Tpref) of ectothermic animals is important to understand thermal adaptation. In lizards, this variable is usually estimated by measuring body temperature in thermal gradients. To quantify the extent to which different experimental setups influence the inferred Tpref values we submitted 65 individual lizards of three species to randomized tests using six different experimental setups at Oukaimeden, Morocco, including setup variants similar to those that have been most often used in lacertids. Among-treatment differences were substantial. Using an infrared bulb as heat source in combination with artificial cold lighting yielded about 5°C lower Tpref estimates than photothermal treatments with an incandescent bulb as heat and light source, possibly because lizards thermoregulated differently without a visual cue related to the heat source, or due to the absence of a natural photoperiod. Photothermal assays in which Tpref was assessed by hourly cloacal measurements over a 10h period yielded 2.2°C lower Tpref estimates than 2h treatments where body temperature was measured every minute with a thermocouple attached to the belly. This probably reflects that the 2h treatments targeted lizards in the initial warming-up phase, whereas the 10h treatment attempts to capture the preferred temperature of a lizard over its entire daily cycle including phases of inactivity. Lastly, we observed large differences among treatments with contact thermometers versus infrared laser thermometer measurements, calling for caution when the latter are used with artificial heat sources. Our data do not provide thorough tests of the physical, behavioural or physiological causes underlying the observed differences between treatments, but illustrate that for meta-analyses where detailed comparisons are needed, a rigorous consideration of the optimal experimental setup and its consistent use will remain necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on genetic and morphological evidence, Senczuk et al. (2019) formally raised the Podarcis populations from the Western Pontine Islands, previously classified as several subspecies of P. siculus , to species rank, i.e. Podarcis latastei (Bedriaga, 1879). This taxonomic change was not accepted in the checklist of the European herpetofauna by Speybroeck et al. (2020), recently published on Amphibia-Reptilia. In this note we respond to the reasons given by Speybroeck and colleagues and support the validity of Podarcis latastei as an endemic Italian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity is not always congruent with phenotypic heterogeneity, resulting in cryptic species complexes which cause a great struggle for scientists trying to define 'species' and describe relationships among taxa. Anatololacerta is a lizard genus distributed in southern and western Anatolia and some neighboring Aegean islands. Three morphospecies were recognized in Anatololacerta but a recent molecular study revealed the presence of cryptic diversity within the genus which led to the raise of a subspecies to species level. Currently the genus includes the species A. anatolica , A. danfordi , A. budaki and A. pelasgiana. Using a comprehensive sampling concerning both the number of specimens (218 specimens) and the genetic markers (3 nuclear and 3 mitochondrial), we performed phylogenetic analyses including tree reconstruction, species delimitation and divergence times estimation. The results revealed the occurrence of one more cryptic lineage which should be regarded as a separate species for which the name A. ibrahimi stat. nov. has priority. The existence of five well differentiated species with parapatric distributions in Anatololacerta is strongly supported. There is also evidence of recent and rapid radiation of the genus which probably causes phylogenetic relationships between these species to remain largely unresolved. At last, we proceeded to some nomenclatorial changes: The current name A. budaki was synonymized with A. pelasgiana because specimens of the type-locality of A. budaki are assigned genetically to A. pelasgiana. The genetic lineage including specimens currently assigned to A. budaki was named A. finikensis stat. nov. , raising the subspecies A. b. finikensis to species level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The Japanese grass lizard, Takydromus tachydromoides, is a species endemic to Japan. While several studies have investigated the reproductive ecology of T. tachydromoides, the embryogenesis of this species has not been reported in detail. In the current study, we observed the external morphological characteristics of 247 embryo specimens that developed under a constant temperature (28°C) throughout the duration from oviposition to hatching. We identified 17 consecutive developmental stages for the postovipositional developmental process of this species based on the staging criteria that have been widely used for the description of embryogenesis of lizards. The youngest embryos on the day of oviposition corresponded to stage 26, which is a relatively early period in pharyngula stages, and juveniles hatched at stage 42, approximately 30 days after oviposition. The entire developmental sequence of key morphological features was shared with other species of Lacertidae, except for the timing of the beginning of the first body pigmentation. This is the first description of the complete sequence of postovipositional developmental stages for the oviparous species of Lacertidae, providing valuable information for further evolutionary developmental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yarkand racerunner, Eremias yarkandensis Blandford, 1875, is only distributed in China and Kyrgyzstan. Its complete mitogenome was determined by next-generation sequencing for the first time. The mitogenome was 18,743 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 control region. Its gene arrangement was similar to the typical mtDNA of vertebrates. The 13 concatenated PCGs were used to perform Bayesian phylogenetic analyses together with several congeners as well as two representative species of Lacerta with mitogenome data in GenBank. The resulting phylogenetic tree recovered the monophyly of both Eremias and its viviparous group, with E. yarkandensis being more closely related to E. przewalskii than to E. dzungarica. The mitogenome of E. yarkandensis will provide fundamental data for the exploration of the mitogenome evolution in racerunners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present unpublished data on the diet of three lizards (Lacerta trilineata, Lacerta agilis and Podarcis tauricus) from the Lacertidae family, collected in 1974 in few localities in Southern Bulgaria. The analyzed data showed that the insects (Insecta) are the most numerous and the most frequently met food component and among the non-insect components the spiders and isopods are slightly predominating. The largest niche breadth was recorded in Podarcis tauricus (6.135), followed by Lacerta trilineata (5.263) and Lacerta agilis (4.132). All three studied lacertid species are classified as opportunistic general feeders (polyphages), which may show slight preference towards beetles, ants or spiders, depending on the occupied habitat or the season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Digit ratio is a morphological feature regarded as a biomarker of the balance of sex hormones during early development. The exposure of embryos to a set of sex hormones and the mutual relations between those hormones cause the emergence of individual morphological and/or behavioural characteristics as well as differences between sexes. We have thus hypothesised that differences in one of these morphological traits—digit ratio—may be a proxy representing a tendency towards tail autotomy. The aim of this study is to investigate the digit ratio (2D:3D, 2D:4D, 3D:4D) of the sand lizard, Lacerta agilis, Lacertidae, a species characterised by well‐developed sexual dimorphism, whereby females are larger than males. We also tested associations between patterns in digit ratio and caudal autotomy, a common defensive mechanism among lizards. To our knowledge, the relationship between a tendency towards autotomy and digit ratio pattern has never been researched. To date, studies on autotomy have mainly focused on the consequences, costs or evolutionary background of tail loss. Hence, researchers examined mostly the frequency of autotomy in the context of predatory pressure or habitat conditions, omitting an individual's behavioural tendency to shed its tail. However, behavioural traits can affect an individual's exposure to predator attack and consequently the need to use an anti‐predator strategy. Thus, following this logic, dropping the tail may be the result of the lizard's intraspecific personality characteristics, resulting from the effect of hormones on behaviour or innate traits. Therefore, we suggest that the inclusion of autotomy as a factor explaining observed digit ratio patterns and their variability between taxa has great potential. We used computerised measurements of photographed limbs to determine the length of digits. We found that the digit ratios for all four limbs were significantly lower in females than in males, excluding the 3D:4D ratio for the right hindlimbs. Therefore, the results confirmed the pattern already observed for most lizards. The novel element in our study is the detection of the relationship between a tendency towards caudal autotomy and digit ratio. Individuals with a tendency towards autotomy have a higher 2D:4D ratio in the right forelimbs and a lower 2D:3D ratio in the right hindlimbs. Obtained results suggest that these morphological characteristics are most likely related to intraspecific differences (between bold and shy individuals) which consequently may determine an individual's reaction or susceptibility to be a prey and escape behaviour. Thus, our results are probably the first attempt to link digit ratio to the susceptibility of lizards to tail autotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamate reptiles exhibit high variation in their phenotypic traits and geographical distributions and are therefore fascinating taxa for evolutionary and ecological research. However, genomic resources are very limited for this group of species, consequently inhibiting research efforts. To address this gap, we assembled a high-quality genome of the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara (Lacertidae), using a combination of high coverage Illumina (shotgun and mate-pair) and PacBio sequencing data, coupled with RNAseq data and genetic linkage map generation. The 1.46-Gb genome assembly has a scaffold N50 of 11.52 Mb with N50 contig size of 220.4 kb and only 2.96% gaps. A BUSCO analysis indicates that 97.7% of the single-copy Tetrapoda orthologs were recovered in the assembly. In total, 19,829 gene models were annotated to the genome using a combination of ab initio and homology-based methods. To improve the chromosome-level assembly, we generated a high-density linkage map from wild-caught families and developed a novel analytical pipeline to accommodate multiple paternity and unknown father genotypes. We successfully anchored and oriented almost 90% of the genome on 19 linkage groups. This annotated and oriented chromosome-level reference genome represents a valuable resource to facilitate evolutionary studies in squamate reptiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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