In recent years there has been an exponential increase in the amount of published DNA sequences, as it has become one of the most popular sources of data for reconstructing phylogenies. A number of studies have attempted to resolve the relationships of groups of lacertids using mitochondrial DNA sequence data, in particular Podarcis and Gallotia (e.g. THORPE et al., 1994; 1996; GONZALEZ et al., 1996; FU et al., 1997; HARRIS, 1997; HARRIS et al., 1998a; 1999; CASTILLA et al., 1999a,b). Reassessment of these data suggest some alternative phylogenies to those previously published, and also highlight possible problems.
Two studies have attempted to unravel the phylogeny of the whole family using mitochondrial DNA sequences (FU, 1998; HARRIS et al., 1998b). By combining these essentially congruent data sets, and reanalysing levels of support for the phylogenies produced, a more complete estimate of relationships across the family is produced. This is then compared to alternative sources of evidence, primarily morphological (ARNOLD, 1989), biochemical (MAYER & BENYR, 1994) and karyological (OLMO et al., 1993). Reasons for discrepencies are discussed, as are the relative advantages and disadvantages of the different sources of phylogenetic inference.

Key words: phylogeny, Lacertidae, Podarcis, Gallotia, Algyroides

In order to resolve the relationships of Lacerta kulzeri, parts of mitochondrial genes for 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA of samples of the following species were sequenced: Gallotia stehlini (as an outgroup), Lacerta trilineata, L. cappadocica, L. fraasii, L. danfordi, L. rudis, Podarcis peloponnesiaca, as well as representatives of different populations of L. laevis and L. kulzeri. Sequence analysis clearly shows a close relation between L. laevis and L. kulzeri and no close relation of these species to any other representative of the lizards examined. The other species also show themselves to be representatives of very distinct lacertid groups. The resulting sequence differences within L. kulzeri and L. laevis, respectively, are very high in relation to those between the two species, and they are higher than one would expect for species with small areas.

Key words: Lacertidae, Lacerta kulzeri, Lacerta laevis, phylogenetics, mitochondrial DNA, sequencing

Based on 270 specimens from 7 populations of Lacerta alpina, L. caucasica, L. daghestanica and L.  praticola, morphological relationships between the four species were studied for 7 meristic characters and 5 morphometric characters, using canonical variate analysis. In both scalation and morphometry, the contours and centroids of the studied populations form a trend: L. praticola - L. caucasica - L. daghestanica, which represents the main direction of phenetic differentiation between the studied taxa (60-80% of the total among-group variation). Possible factors determining this trend, as well as the problem of evolutionary polarity in the morphological series of the three species, are discussed.

Keywords: Squamata: Lacertidae: Lacerta caucasica, Lacerta daghestanica, Lacerta praticola, morphological variation

The present study is a synthesis of data collected from 1980 to 1997 on lacertid lizards in the southern Po river basin (Northern Italy), investigated using the data from the Herpetological Data base of the Natural History Museum of Ferrara. In this area three species of lacertid lizards were recorded: Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis siculus and Podarcis muralis. The ordination of the UTM 10x10 km squares showed that P. muralis and L. bilineata had no particular distribution whereas P. siculus was restricted to the coastal areas and the Po plain zone. The climatic analysis reflected the altitudinal differentiation, as the three species showed quite evident differences in distribution in relation to temperature, rainfall and the thermo-pluviometric index distribution. In general the frequency of all species was considerable in urban areas; P. siculus and L. bilineata were present above all in fallow fields while P. muralis preferred ruins and walls. The former species were also present in shrubs; whereas P. siculus preferred dunes and beaches, P. muralis gravel and stones.

Key words: Po River Basin, Podarcis siculus, Podarcis muralis, Lacerta bilineata, thermo-pluviometric gradient, altitudinal range, habitat selections

Presently, within the lizard populations included in the Lacerta laevis-kulzeri complex, two main groups appear to be well distinguished in terms of morphology, distribution and ecology: Lacerta laevis Gray, 1838 (sensu lato) which is generally distributed in the Mediterranean region to the west of the Rift valley between Central Israel / Palestine and southern Turkey. The species prefers humid habitats in oak forests, gardens and valleys. Despite considerable morphological variation, only one subspecies (troodica from Cyprus) has been acknowledged to date. During our research in the northern mountains to the east of the rift valley (Syria / Turkey), a quite distinct rock lizard was detected living in hills with sparse vegetation; our classification of it under L. laevis s.l. is highly provisional.
The second group comprises the often misunderstood rock-lizard Lacerta kulzeri Müller & Wettstein, 1932, described from Bcharré / Lebanon. It is mainly distributed in the continental mountains and hill lands to the east of the Rift valley, from the Anti-Lebanon to Petra / Jordan in the south. Morphologically different and isolated populations occur here and at the eastern side of the Lebanon Mts. and the volcanic Djebel Druz / South Syria.
Near Bloudan / Anti-Lebanon and at Djebel Barouk / Lebanon Mts. both groups were found sympatrically.

Key words: Sauria, Lacertidae, Lacerta laevis-kulzeri complex; distribution, morphology, ecology; Near East

During nine stays on Mount Biokovo (1762 m) / Central Dalmatia (Croatia) and the adjacent parts of the Cetina valley in the years 1979-1990, 16 reptile species were observed. Together with previous data from literature the list now comprises 21 species. New or more detailed data are given, particularly on the following lizard species: Podarcis sicula, Lacerta trilineata, L. oxycephala, P. muralis, L. viridis, L. oxycephala and L. mosorensis.

Key words: Altitudinal distribution; reptiles; Mount Biokovo, Croatia.

The life history of an organism is the combination of age-specific survival probabilities and fecundities it displays in its natural environment. Hence, an organism's life history is characterised by its age and size at maturity, frequency of reproduction, clutch or litter size, size of eggs and hatchlings, and survivorship at different life stages (as embryos, neonates, immatures, adults). Variation in these traits can be studied at different levels: within a population, among populations of a single species, and among different species. I here give an overview of studies that explored life history variation in European lacertid lizards.

Keywords: life-history, mortality, fecundity, Lacertidae, allometry

We discuss three aspects of the thermal biology of lacertid lizards. First, we provide an overview of the available data on field body temperatures (Tb), the thermal sensitivity of various performance functions and selected body temperatures in different species of lacertid lizards. We also briefly summarise information on the mechanisms of thermoregulation. Second, we discuss recent developments to estimate the "precision" of thermoregulation, and the contribution of distinct behavioural mechanisms. Finally, we revise available evidence for the existence of evolutionary adjustments of thermal characteristics in lacertid lizards. Existing studies have mainly dealt with within- and among-species differences in thermoregulatory behaviour (selected temperatures) and thermal physiology of adults (optimal temperatures, heating rates). Available data provide only limited evidence for clear-cut evolutionary shifts in thermal physiology characteristics along climatic gradients.

Keywords: body temperatures, thermoregulation, thermal sensitivity, Lacertidae

Keywords: Mediterranean lizards, Podarcis, Lacertidae, pollination, seed dispersal, mutualism, herbivory, foraging behaviour

The aim of the present study is to synthesise the available data on the occurrence of lacertid lizards on Mediterranean islands better to understand how far human influence is involved in the present distributional patterns of insular lacertid lizard fauna. At present, the Mediterranean islands are inhabited by several lacertid genera, including endemic species of the genera Algyroides (viz. fitzingeri), “Lacerta” [Archaeolacerta] (viz. bedriagae) and Podarcis (atratus, filfolensis, gaigae, lilfordi, milensis, pityusensis, raffonei, tiliguerta, waglerianus). Recently reported data shed new light on the relationships between these endemics and some continental species that have recently colonised the islands. The arrival of the latter might be directly related to the progressive human colonisation of these islands. The arising conservation problems are also considered.

Key words: Lacertidae, Mediterranean Islands, distribution, conservation

This paper is divided into two parts: classic knowledge on theory of island biogeography (I) and the evolution of behaviour and morphology under insular constraints (II).
The main subjects dealt with are: the problem of small populations (1); the biological definition of an island and the importance of biological studies on islands (2); the species-area effect and its consequences for a nature conservation strategy (3); the equilibrium theory and the weaknesses of this model (4); the founder principle (5); some features of insular populations, such as clutch size, niche enlargement and changes in body size (6); the natural history of colonisation and the success and failure of colonisation (7); the morphological paradigm of island faunas (8) and the evolution of social behaviour under insular constraints – territoriality, altruism, social structure and its relationships with body shape (9).

Key words: Evolution, Islands, Morphology, Ecology, Behaviour, Berlenga

The aim of this preliminary study is to evaluate some differences between two populations of Podarcis muralis muralis and Podarcis muralis maculiventris living in Slovenia using some biometric and meristic characters. Forty-eight specimens from Zovnek (Central Slovenia, 46o16' N, 15o10' E) and 24 specimens from Lucija (Slovenian Istria, 45o30' N, 13o36' E) were included in a statistical analysis. The values of body dimensions of both sexes differ significantly between the two localities. Specimens from Lucija are bigger with a longer pileus. According to the results of this preliminary study on some characters of the external morphology, the classification of Slovenian populations of wall lizard into two subspecies seems justified.

Key words: Squamata: Lacertidae, Podarcis muralis muralis, P. muralis maculiventris, morphological differences, Slovenia

In pristine conditions, Mediterranean Europe was covered by dense forests during the whole of the  Pleistocene and in more recent warm periods. Combined with its rather northern position this means that at that time, apart from in coastal environments, lizard habitats would have been present only where open places were formed by the action of storms, natural fires and the erosive forces of rivers. The latter will have been the most reliable and also the most important force, especially combined with the influence of large grazing and browsing animals. Variations in habitat quality in the resulting open spaces are determined by longitudinal gradients in temperature, humidity, steepness and trophic conditions. Present day ecological differentiation and some special characteristics of the lizards will be discussed in the light of these hypotheses.

Keywords: lacertids, pristine habitats, rivers, erosion

All seven lacertid species recorded from the Peloponnese can be found in a very small area in the Arkadian highlands on the Peloponnese peninsula. Up to now only one example for such unique diversity in such a small area has been described in the Mediterranean region.
This density requires the occupation of different restricted ecological and ethological niches for all seven species and therefore the habitats should be diverse. This niche segregation as well as the ecological demands and the ethological differences between the species are discussed in relation to this habitat diversity.

Keywords: Lacertidae, Lacerta, Podarcis, Algyroides, Greece, ecology, ethology, niche segregation

The Herpetological Collection of the Trieste Natural History Museum has almost 700 specimens of European Sauria belonging to about 33 taxa, including all the lacertids of northern Adriatic regions. The origin of the collection dates back to the foundation of the Museum of Trieste in 1846, but it was increased mainly between 1871 and 1939. The Herpetological Collection of the Trieste Natural History Museum has a great scientific and historical importance; it documents the variation of the composition and distribution of northern Adriatic Sauria fauna during this century, including endemic varieties typical of little islands.

Key words: Sauria, distribution, North Adriatic regions, collection, Trieste Natural History Museum