The Peloponnese wall lizard (Podarcis peloponnesiacus) is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is endemic to the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, arable land, pastureland, plantations, and rural gardens.
The Peloponnese wall lizard grows to a snout-to-vent length of about 8.5 cm (3.3 in) with a tail about twice the length of the body. Males are in general rather larger than females. It is a robust species with adult males having particularly large heads. The colouring is rather variable, basically being some shade of olive- or greyish-brown with a pale vertebral stripe and more clearly defined dorso-lateral pale stripes. The mottled flanks often have one or more blue spots above the shoulder and the blue colour may extend along the flanks in males. The underparts are red, orange or white and unspotted. Juveniles often have blue tails.[2]
Behaviouredit
The Peloponnese wall lizard largely replaces the Greek rock lizard in the Peloponnese region. It is an agile species and climbs on rocks, walls and tree trunks. It often perches in an elevated position and can make long jumps between rocks. It often forages on the ground. The males are territorial during the breeding season and are very aggressive at this time. Females usually lay two clutches of up to six eggs, in crevices or concealed places, and the eggs take about six weeks to hatch, the newly hatched juveniles being about 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long.[2]
Statusedit
The Peloponnese wall lizard has a total area of occupancy of less than 2,000 square kilometres (770 sq mi) but it is common in suitable habitat within its range. The population is steady and faces no significant threats (apart from wildfires) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]
Referencesedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peloponnese Wall Lizard (Podarcis peloponnesiacus).
^ abWolfgang Böhme, Petros Lymberakis (2009). "Podarcis peloponnesiacus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009: e.T61551A12514581. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T61551A12514581.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
^ abArnold, E. Nicholas; Ovenden, Denys W. (2002). Field Guide: Reptiles & Amphibians of Britain & Europe. Collins & Co. pp. 177–178. ISBN9780002199643.
May 03, 2024
peloponnese, wall, lizard, podarcis, peloponnesiacus, species, lizard, family, lacertidae, endemic, peloponnese, region, southern, greece, natural, habitats, mediterranean, type, shrubby, vegetation, rocky, areas, arable, land, pastureland, plantations, rural,. The Peloponnese wall lizard Podarcis peloponnesiacus is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae It is endemic to the Peloponnese region of southern Greece Its natural habitats are Mediterranean type shrubby vegetation rocky areas arable land pastureland plantations and rural gardens Peloponnese wall lizard Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Squamata Family Lacertidae Genus Podarcis Species P peloponnesiacus Binomial name Podarcis peloponnesiacus Bibron amp Bory 1833 Synonyms Podarcis peloponnesiacus Bibron and Bory 1833 Contents 1 Description 2 Behaviour 3 Status 4 ReferencesDescription editThe Peloponnese wall lizard grows to a snout to vent length of about 8 5 cm 3 3 in with a tail about twice the length of the body Males are in general rather larger than females It is a robust species with adult males having particularly large heads The colouring is rather variable basically being some shade of olive or greyish brown with a pale vertebral stripe and more clearly defined dorso lateral pale stripes The mottled flanks often have one or more blue spots above the shoulder and the blue colour may extend along the flanks in males The underparts are red orange or white and unspotted Juveniles often have blue tails 2 Behaviour editThe Peloponnese wall lizard largely replaces the Greek rock lizard in the Peloponnese region It is an agile species and climbs on rocks walls and tree trunks It often perches in an elevated position and can make long jumps between rocks It often forages on the ground The males are territorial during the breeding season and are very aggressive at this time Females usually lay two clutches of up to six eggs in crevices or concealed places and the eggs take about six weeks to hatch the newly hatched juveniles being about 3 5 cm 1 4 in long 2 Status editThe Peloponnese wall lizard has a total area of occupancy of less than 2 000 square kilometres 770 sq mi but it is common in suitable habitat within its range The population is steady and faces no significant threats apart from wildfires and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of least concern 1 References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peloponnese Wall Lizard Podarcis peloponnesiacus a b Wolfgang Bohme Petros Lymberakis 2009 Podarcis peloponnesiacus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009 e T61551A12514581 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2009 RLTS T61551A12514581 en Retrieved 16 November 2021 a b Arnold E Nicholas Ovenden Denys W 2002 Field Guide Reptiles amp Amphibians of Britain amp Europe Collins amp Co pp 177 178 ISBN 9780002199643 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Peloponnese wall lizard amp oldid 1192141763, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
