Skyros wall lizard
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Skyros wall lizard ( Podarcis gaigeae ) |
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| Podarcis gaigeae | ||||||||||||
| ( Werner , 1930) |
The Skyros wall lizard ( Podarcis gaigeae ) is a representative of the real lizards .
features
The Skyros wall lizard rarely reaches a total length of more than 22 cm. Their slim physique is emphasized by the tail, which measures up to 2/3 of the total length. The body and head of the males appear overall stronger and more robust than that of the females. The basic color consists of green, olive green or warm brown tones. On top of this lies a pattern of dark, mostly black spots. There is a light, dorsolateral stripe along the back. A dark back stripe can be formed. Even completely without drawings occur regularly. The ventral edge shields of males ready to mate show a strong blue color. They can merge into a distinct, blue stripe. In addition, one or more blue shoulder spots are formed. Females less contrasting, with brown or gray-brown basic tones.
distribution
The species is endemic to the Skyros archipelago of the northern Sporades in Greece.
habitat
All altitudes of the flat islands are inhabited. You can find the lizards in low masonry along the beaches, village edges or fields, under low bushes of maquis or in sparse forests.
Way of life
The nimble lizard is a predominantly ground-dwelling species, but it can climb skillfully in low walls and steep slopes.
Reproduction
In climatically favored regions, the Skyros wall lizards usually start mating as early as March. During copulation, the male bites into the partner's neck, flank or base of the tail. Shortly before the eggs are laid, the females stop feeding. Under favorable circumstances, up to 3 or more clutches of 1 to 3 eggs each can be laid each season.
Hazard and protection
Due to its small and isolated occurrence, the species is classified as endangered in the international Red List (VU - Vulnerable ) and in the national early warning list (NT - Near Threatened ).
literature
- Michael Gruschwitz, Wolfgang Böhme : Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768) - wall lizard. In: Wolfgang Böhme (Hrsg.): Handbook of the reptiles and amphibians in Europe. Volume 2 / II: Lizards (Sauria). III: Lacertidae III: Podarcis. Aula-Verlag, Wiebelsheim 1986, ISBN 3-89104-001-6 , pp. 155-208.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Podarcis gaigeae in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2011. Posted by Petros Lymberakis., 2008
- ↑ Α. Λεγάκις, Π. Μαραγκού: Το Κόκκινο Βιβλίο των Απειλούμενων Ζώων της Ελλάδας (Greece's Red List of Endangered Animals) . Ed .: Ελληνική Ζωολογική Εταιρεία - Greek Zoological Society, Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος, Ενέργειας και Κλιγ.ΕΕτικής ΑΚλ.αΠς ΑΚΑλΑγής - Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate Change. Athens 2009, ISBN 978-960-85298-8-5 , chapter: Ερπετά (reptiles), p. 205 .