Sicilian wall lizard
| Sicilian wall lizard | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Lacertidae |
| Genus: | Podarcis |
| Species: | P. waglerianus
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| Binomial name | |
| Podarcis waglerianus Gistel, 1868
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| Synonyms[2] | |
The Sicilian wall lizard (Podarcis waglerianus) is a species of
Etymology
The specific name, waglerianus, is in honor of German herpetologist Johann Georg Wagler.[3]
Description
The Sicilian wall lizard grows to a length around 7.5 cm (3 in), with males being slightly larger than females. The dorsal surface is usually green, but some females may be olive or brownish. Usually, it has a well-defined white or yellow dorsolateral stripe and often a brown stripe, or series of dots, running along the spine. Other dark spots occur in rows on the back and flanks of males, but females are often a more uniform colour. The underparts are white, with a spotted throat, but may be suffused with orange, pink, or red in breeding males.[4] The Sicilian wall lizard differs from island populations of the Italian wall lizard in having a deeper head, more slender form, more speckled (rather than reticulated) markings, and the brighter colour of the underparts.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to Sicily and the Aegadian Islands. It frequents areas with lush vegetation on the edges of woodland, bushy slopes, pasture, and cultivated land. It is often present in gardens, especially irrigated ones. In contrast to the Italian wall lizard, it does not climb much and occupies more densely vegetated areas. It is the more common wall lizard inland, while the Italian wall lizard is the more common near the coast.[4]
Biology
The female lays a clutch of four to six oval eggs, usually concealed at the base of a plant. They hatch after about 8 weeks, and the newly hatched juveniles are about 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long.[4]
Status
P. waglerianus is widespread in Sicily, is tolerant of a range of habitats, and is assumed to have a large total population. Its populations are in general stable, though it may be declining in number on some islands. The
See also
References
- ^ doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T61557A12516504.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.)
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ Species Podarcis waglerianus at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.
- ^ ISBN 9780002199643.
Further reading
- Böhme W, Köhler (2005). "Do Endings of Adjective Flectible Species Names Affect Stability? A Final Note on the Gender of Podarcis Wagler, 1830 (Reptilia, Laceridae)". Bonner zoologischen Beiträge 53 (3/4): 291–293. (Podarcis waglerianus, gender changed from feminine to masculine).
- Gistel J (1868). "Die Lurche Europas. Ein Beitrage zur Lehre von der geographischen Verbreitung derselben ". pp. 144–167. In: Gistel J (1868). Blicke in das Leben der Natur und des Menschen. Ein Taschenbuch zur Verbreitung gemeinnütziger Kenntnisse insebesondere des Natur-, Länder- und Völkerkunde, Künste und Gewerbe. Leipzig: Wartig. 274 pp. (Podarcis wagleriana, new species, p. 149). (in German).
- ISBN 978-88-89504-14-7. (Podarcis waglerianus).
- Taddei A (1949). "Le lacerte (Archaeolacerta e Podarcis) dell'Italia peninsulare e delle isole ". Commentationes Pontificia Academia Scientarum 13 (4): 197–274. (Lacerta wagleriana, new combination, p. 202). (in Italian, with an abstract in Latin).
External links
Media related to Podarcis wagleriana at Wikimedia Commons
