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of the real lizards, family Lacertidae
Podarcis filfolensis Gozo Island (ADAMS, 1870)
Adams, A.L. (1870) -
Bischoff, W. (1986) -
Bruno, S. (1986) -
Capula, M. (1994) -
The electrophoretic variation at 26 presumptive gene loci was investigated in populations of the closely related species Podarcis sicula, P. wagleriana, P. raffonei, and P. filfolensis. Low values of proportion of polymorphic loci (P) and mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) were found in P. sicula (P= 0.10; Ho= 0.016), P. wagleriana (P= 0.13; Ho= 0.029), and P. raffonei (P= 0.08; Ho= 0.017), while higher levels of genetic variability were observed in P. filfolensis (P= 0.17; Ho= 0.054). In the latter species, a multiple regression analysis was carried out in order to analyse the geographic correlates of P and Ho. The results of this analysis were consistent with the predictions of the time-divergence theory of variation, supporting the conclusion that directional selection is the main force eroding genetic variation on small islands. Intraspecific values of Nei`s (1972) standard genetic distance were relatively low in P. sicula (average D= 0.024), P. wagleriana (average D= 0.004), and P. filfolensis (average D= 0.012), while higher in P. raffonei (D= 0.040). The lizards from Pantellena Island, which were considered by BISCHOFF (1986) to be very similar to P. filfolensis from Malta on the basis of a superficial analysis of the coloration pattern, were shown to actually belong to P. sicula. This confirms that the range of P. filfolensis only includes the Maltese Archipelago, Linosa Island, and the islet of Lampione. Surprisingly, the samples of P. filfolensis from the Pelagie Islands (Linosa and Lampione) were very similar to those from the Maltese Archipelago (average D= 0.016). This could be explained by rafting or anthropogenic introduction of P. filfolensis on Linosa and Lampione. Podarcis wagleriana and P. raffonei were genetically related (average D= 0.152), confirming the results of previous electrophoretic investigations. Podarcis filfolensis, though showing some morphological affinity with P. wagleriana, was genetically highly differentiated from this latter species (average D= 0.526), while being more similar to P. sicula (average D= 0.306). This indicates a close relationship between P. sicula and P. filfolensis, suggesting that P. sicula and P. filfolensis probably diverged from a common ancestor, and that the apparent similarity between P. filfolensis and P. wagleriana could be merely due to morphological convergence.
Capula, M. & Nascetti, L. & Capanna, E. (1982) -
The chromosome complements of Podarcis filfolensis, P. tiliguerta, P. wagleriana and Archaeolacerta bedriagae were analyzed in bone marrow somatic mitoses as well as in meiotic diakinesis. All four species are characterized by the typical lacertid karyotype consisting of 38 chromosomes (36 acrocentric macrochromosomes plus 2 microchromosomes). Adaptive stability of karyotypes, as a result ofa canalization process of chromosomal evolution, and absence of complex social behaviour promoting population subdivision and inbreeding, are the evolutionary factors presumably correlated with the remarkable conservativeness of karyotype observed within the family Lacertidae.
Despott, G. (1915) -
Grossmann, W. (2022) -
Lambert, M.R.K. (1969) -
Lanfranco, G. & Schembri, P.J. (1989) -
Lanfranco, G.G. (1957) -
Lantermann, W. & Lantermann, Y. (2011) -
Es wird über herpetologische Beobachtungen im Rahmen einer 10-tägigen Studienreise nach Nordmalta mit zwei Exkursionen nach Gozo berichtet.
Lanza, B. (1968) -
Lanza, B. (1973) -
Lo Cascio, P. & Sciberras, A. (2020) -
Circum‐Sicilian and Maltese herpetofauna includes 22 species occurring with steady populations, andsome of them (Pelophylax bedriagae, Trachemys scripta, Chamaeleo chamaeleon, Hemorrhois algirus and perhapsTelescopus fallax) were introduced during the last two centuries, while for other 7 at least one introduction withinthe study islands was documented during the same span of time; furthermore, temporary occurrences were alsodetected for other 16 species (3 amphibians and 13 reptiles), some of which (Hyla sp., Graptemys pseudogeo‐graphica, Centrochelys sulcata, Pantherophis guttatus and Lampropeltis getula) have not been previously recordedfor these islands. Accidental or intentional introductions have gradually increased in recent decades and have asignificant influence in shaping these herpetofunal assemblages. On the contrary, extinction seems to be less fre‐quent and involved especially amphibians. The updated faunal inventory for 65 islands includes several new recordsand the results of the first herpetological investigations on the islets Faraglione di terra di Cala Fico, Colombaia,Vittoria Garcia (circum‐Sicilian), Pigeon Rock and Cheirolopus Rock (Maltese).
Massa, R. (2021) -
Mertens, R. (1926) -
Mertens, R. (1968) -
Die letzte zusammenfassende Obersicht der Malta- Reptilien durch Lanfranco (1955) ist durch Chelonia mydas und Lepidochelys (wahrscheinlich kempii) zu ergiinzen. lm Gegensatz zu seiner und der Auffassung der iilteren Autoren sind die Mauereidechsen Maltas sicherlich keine Rassen von Lacerta 11111ralis, sondern bilden einen eigenen Rassenkreis, der von der sizilianischen Lacerta 1/Nigleriana abzuleiten ist. Da die Originalbe- schreibung von L
Mertens, R. & Müller, L. (1940) -
Mertens, R. & Wermuth, H. (1960) -
Moravec, J. (1993) -
Oliverio, M. & Bologna, M.A. & Mariottini, P. (2000) -
Aim We discuss biogeographical hypotheses for the Mediterranean lizard species Podarcis and Teira within a phylogenetic framework based on partial mitochondrial DNA sequences. Methods We derived the most likely phylogenetic hypothesis from our data set (597 aligned positions from the 12S rDNA and phenyl tRNA) under parsimony, distance and maximum likelihood assumptions. Results The species usually included in Teira do not form a strongly monophyletic clade. In contrast, the monophyly of the genus Podarcis is rather well supported. Seven lineages are identified in the genus; in order of appearance within the tree, these are: the Balearic pityusensis and lilfordi pair, the sicula complex, a Tyrrhenian tiliguerta and raffonei pair, muralis, the Siculo-Maltese filfolensis and wagleriana pair, the Balkan group (erhardi, peloponnesiaca, milensis, melisellensis and taurica), and the Ibero-Maghrebian group (bocagei, atrata, hispanica and vaucheri). Conclusions The origin of the three European genera of lacertid assayed (Lacerta, Teira and Podarcis) is hypothesized to have occurred in the Oligocene. For Podarcis, a possible scenario of a Miocene diversification is derived from the sequence data, and the zoogeography of the lineages are discussed in relation to the palaeogeography of the Mediterranean. It is hypothesized that in the early history of the genus the main lineages separated by rapid, numerous and close events that produced a starting point very similar to a polytomy, hard to resolve by parsimony analysis of the data set.
Rodriguez, V. & Brown, R.P. & Terrasa, B. & Pérez-Mellado, V. & Picornell, A. & Castro, J.A. & Ramon, C. (2013) -
Podarcis filfolensis is an endemic lizard from the Maltese archipelago. There is evidence of human-mediated decline and even extirpation of some insular populations of this species. However, information about the intraspecific genetic diversity and phylogeographic patterns of this species is limited. Here we analyze genetic markers from a multi-locus dataset (mtDNA, 2,533 bp; nuclear c-mos gene, 353 bp; 11 microsatellites) for individuals from extant populations of P. filfolensis. Despite generally low genetic variability, two main mitochondrial groupings were clearly identified. In general, individuals from the main island of Malta were genetically distinct from those from Gozo, Comino, Cominotto and Small Blue Lagoon Rock, and also from Linosa and Lampione individuals. Three genetic clusters were detected based on microsatellite data: one was found at higher frequency on Malta, while the other two included samples from the remaining islands, showing some concordance with the mtDNA pattern. A time-calibrated Bayesian tree for the principal mitochondrial lineages indicated strong statistical support for two P. filfolensis lineages that originated in the Pleistocene (105.4–869 Ka). We show that these lineages largely meet the criteria for recognition as evolutionary significant units despite some recent admixture (possibly due to recent translocations between islands). Human disturbance, low genetic variability, evidence of bottlenecks and extirpation on one island indicate that a thorough review of the current conservation status of P. filfolensis would be timely.
Salvi, D. & Schembri, P. & Sciberras, A. & Harris, D.J. (2014) -
The Expansion-Contraction (EC) model predicts demographic and range contraction of temperate species during Pleistocene glaciations as a consequence of climate-related habitat changes, and provides a paradigm for explaining the high intraspecific diversity found in refugia in terms of long-term demographic stability. However, recent evidence has revealed a weak predictive power of this model for terrestrial species in insular and coastal settings. We investigated the Pleistocene EC dynamics and their evolutionary consequences on temperate species using the Maltese archipelago and its endemic lizard Podarcis filfolensis as a model system. The evolutionary and demographic history of P. filfolensis as inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear sequences data does not conform to the EC model predictions, supporting (i) demographic and spatial stability or expansion, rather than contraction, of the northern and southern lineages during the last glacial period, and (ii) a major role for allopatric differentiation primed by sea-level dynamics, rather than prolonged demographic stability, in the formation of the observed genetic diversity. When combined with evidence from other Mediterranean refugia, this study shows how the incorporation of Pleistocene sea-level variations in the EC model accounts for a reverse demographic and range response of insular and coastal temperate biotas relative to continental ones. Furthermore, this cross-archipelago pattern in which allopatric diversity is formed and shaped by EC cycles resembles that seen between isolated populations within mainland refugia and suggests that the EC model, originally developed to explain population fluctuations into and out-of refugia, may be appropriate for describing the demographic and evolutionary dynamics driving the high genetic diversity observed in these areas.
Salvi, D. & Schembri, P.& Sciberras, A. & Harris, D.J. (2013) -
We investigated the phylogeography and historical demography of the Maltese wall lizard Podarcis filfolensis using both mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. We included samples from all the main islands of the Maltese and Pelagian archipelagos and from every islet and offshore rock where this species occurs. The phylogenetic analyses show two main mitochondrial phylogroups, one occurring in the island of Malta and the islet of Filfla (Maltese lineage) and the other one mainly distributed on Gozo and Comino islands and their surrounding islets, and on the Pelagian islands (Gozitan lineage). We discuss what demographic dynamics and microevolutionary processes have been involved in shaping the pattern of genetic diversity and distribution of P. filfolensis within the general framework of Pleistocene biogeography of temperate biota in coastal areas.
Savona-Ventura, C. (1974) -
Savona-Ventura, C. (1983) -
Savona-Ventura, C. (2001) -
The Maltese-Pelagian area is characterised by an endemic species of Wall Lizard - Podarcis filfolensis. This has differentiated into various subspecies on the various islands and rocks of the region including ssp. filfolensis on Filfola, laurentiimuelleri of Lampione and Linosa, generalensis of Fungus Rock, kieselbachi of St. Paul`s Islands, maltensis of Malta and Gozo and possibly Comino, and an unnamed form from Cominotto. The taxonomical status of the species and its possible origins from Podarcis sicula are reviewed in the light of the geological movements which occurred in the Central Mediterranean during the Pleistocene. The colour differences between the various subspecies are reviewed and four degrees of melanism are proposed.
Schembri, P.J. (1986) -
Sciberras, A. (2005) -
The Maltese Wall Lizard, Podarcis filfolensis, exists in a number of isolated populations, some of which have been given formal scientific names as subspecies. Special attention was given to the population of P.filfolensis kieselbachi, which is endemic to Selmunett Island due to the fact of its rapid decrease. The prime suspect for this matter is Rattus sp. Through the literature read it was noted that between the late 80`s to early 90`s, the population of P.filfolensis kieselbachi was very dense all over the island. Since the present author started visiting the island in late 1997, there was still quite a good stable population that scarcely could be found in all over the island. During these studies since 1999 the author divided the island in several sections in order to organise my observations. Today, lizards inhabit approximately only 1/10 of the island and they are all located in one particular section of the smaller islet that the author have designated as Area C. Here the maximum population is of the order of 30 to 35 lizards. This very small population is a matter of concern and some kind of action has to be taken to reverse this decline.
Sciberras, A. (2007) -
Sciberras, A. & Schembri, E. (2005) -
Sciberras, A. & Sciberras, J. (2024) -
The islet’s recent discovery by the authors hold quite a rich biota compared to its size. In this work topography is re- described adding one species of flora to the already known six (SCIBERRAS & SCIBERRAS 2010, SCIBERRAS et al. 2012) and 32 new species of fauna to the two recorded (LO CASCIO & SCIBERRAS 2020, AGUIS & SCIBERRAS 2022) with a complete description of the endemic lacertid, Podarcis filfolensis, in situ.
Sciberras, J. & Sciberras, A. (2014) -
Different behavior in populations of Podarcis filflolensis on the Maltese and Pelagian islands are described and discussed.
Speybroeck, J. (2007) -
Speybroeck, J. (2014) -
Taddei, A. (1949) -
Auctor scrutatur- 1273 lacertas e paeninsula et insulis Italiciis (praetermissis insulis Etruscis, de quarum lacertis iam antea disseruerat), in quibus undecim subspecies ante ignotas invenit; de nonnullarum distributione disputat; et singulas species et subspecies accurate describit, rationem quamdam dicotomicam etiam tradens, qua facilius recognosci possint.