Natura Croatica Issue number: Natura Croatica, Vol. 8 No.3

Čovjek i lacertidni gušteri na sredozemnim otocima: perspektive zaštite

Authors: Claudia Corti, Wolfgang Böhme, Massimo Delfino, Marco Masseti

Authors and affiliation

  • Claudia Corti Department of Animal Biology and Genetics, University of Florence, Via Romana, 17, I – 50125 Florence, Italy
  • Wolfgang Böhme Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum, »Alexander Koenig«, Adeanuerallee 160, D – 53113 Bonn, Germany
  • Massimo Delfino Vertebrate Paleontology Research Group, Earth Science Department, Florence University, Via G. La Pira, 4, I – 50121 Florence, Italy
  • Marco Masseti Institute of Anthropology, University of Florence, Via Del Proconsolo, 12, I – 50122 Florence, Italy

Abstract

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« (cid:1) Archaeolacerta(cid:2) (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.

Keywords

Lacertidae, Mediterranean islands, distribution, conservation

PDF File