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Background The current distribution of genetic diversity is the result of a vast array of microevolutionary processes, including short-term demographic and ecological mechanisms and long-term allopatric isolation in response to Quaternary climatic fluctuations. We investigated past processes that drove the population differentiation and spatial genetic distribution of the Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus by means of sequences of mitochondrial cytb ( n  = 277 from 115 localities) and nuclear mc1r and β-fibint7 genes ( n  = 262 and n  = 91, respectively) from all its distribution range. The pattern emerging from the genetic data was compared with current and past (last glacial maximum) species distribution modeling (SDM). Results We identified seven deeply divergent parapatric clades which presumably remained isolated in different refugia scattered mainly throughout the Tyrrhenian coast. Conversely, the Adriatic coast showed only two haplogroups with low genetic variability. These results appear to agree with the SDM prediction at the last glacial maximum (LGM) indicating a narrow area of habitat suitability along the Tyrrhenian coast and much lower suitability along the Adriatic one. However, the considerable land exposure of the Adriatic coastline favored a glacial colonization of the Balkan Peninsula. Conclusions Our population-level historical demography showed a common trend consistent with glacial expansions and regional persistence during the last glacial maximum. This complex genetic signature appears to be inconsistent with the expectation of the expansion-contraction model and post-LGM (re)colonizations from southern refugia. Hence it is one of an increasing number of cases in which these assumptions are not met, indicating that long-term fragmentation and pre-LGM events such as glacial persistence were more prominent in shaping genetic variation in this temperate species.

The evolution of sexual dimorphism (SD) results from intricate interactions between sexual and natural selections. Sexually selected traits are expected to depend on individual condition, while natural selected traits should not be. Islands offer an ideal context to test how these drivers interact with one another, as the size is a reliable proxy for resource availability. Here, we analysed SD in body size (snout-vent length) and head shape (assessed by geometric morphometric) in two species of lizards (Podarcis muralis and P. siculus) inhabiting the Tuscan archipelago (Central Italy). We found a strong SD variation among islands in both species. Furthermore, in P. muralis emerged some significant correlations between SD and island size, supporting the occurrence of possible effects of individual condition on SD. By contrast, SD in P. siculus followed opposite trajectories than in P. muralis, suggesting that in this species, natural selection could play a major role as a driver of SD. Our findings show that natural and sexual selection can interact in complex ways, and the responses are species-specific. Therefore, spatial patterns of variation in SD may strongly differ among species, even when they settle in the same geographic contest.

Understanding patterns and modalities of species’ colonization in insular ecosystems is a major goal of biogeography and may be key to decision makers, in terms of e.g., management and conservation. In this paper, we assess source and patterns of colonization of an opportunistic reptile, Podarcis siculus , on the remote island of Pantelleria (Italy), following a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular phylogeography and dorsal pattern analyses. We analyzed the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (cytb) from 13 lizards and we assessed the frequency of the dorsal pattern phenotypes observing 188 basking lizards from eight localities throughout the island. The parsimony network revealed that haplotypes from Pantelleria belong to a haplogroup characteristic of western Sicily with the most common haplotype from Pantelleria being also found in three Sicilian localities. Unlike other Italian island populations, the dorsal pattern is highly conserved on Pantelleria, as a high percent of the observed individuals show the pattern also found in the hypothesized source area in western Sicily. In conclusion, our results are compatible with an allochthonous origin of the P. siculus population of Pantelleria Island. Thus, the species would need no population monitoring programme for its conservation on the island.

Temperature affects all aspects of reptilian biology. In order to colonize new habitats and support viable populations lizards have to successfully deal with their thermal environment. Podarcis siculus is a notorious example of a successful colonizer that has invaded numerous habitats outside its natural distribution range. Though certain features of its thermal biology have been assessed so far, the thermoregulatory abilities of the species remain poorly described. Here we investigated a recently discovered population in Greece and evaluated the effectiveness of thermoregulation measuring three main thermal parameters: set-point range, operative and field body temperatures. The Greek P. siculus appear to be accurate, precise and effective thermoregulators achieving E = 0.96. This effective thermoregulation may be used to explain, among other special characteristics, its spreading success.

Biological invasions are a challenge to conservation and constitute a threat to biodiversity worldwide. The Italian wall lizard Podarcis sicula has been widely introduced, and seems capable of adapting to most of the regions where it is established and to impact on native biota. Here we construct a phylogenetic framework to assess the origin of the introduced populations in the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey comparing cytochrome-b gene sequences of lizards from five locations to published sequences from the native range and other non-native locations. The results support an origin from central Italy for the United Kingdom population, from the Adriatic region for the Greek population and from Calabria for the population from Turkey. These results emphasise the multiple-source pattern of introduction of this species identified in previous studies. The improvement in the knowledge of the origin and pathways by which invaders arrive in new areas, as well as the monitoring of their populations, are crucial for successful strategies to deal with exotic species.

Invasive species have been recognised as an important hazard to native communities. Amongst the mitigation measures that have been proposed to confront biological invasions, eradication projects are certainly the most drastic. In this short communication, a successful eradication project against a recently established population of the Italian wall lizard ( Podarcissiculus ) in Athens, Greece, is reported. To this aim, the Hellenic Herpetological Society received unforeseen aid from stray cats and, possibly, from the Οcellated skink ( Chalcidesocellatus ) and vegetation growth. Within three years, the initial thriving P.siculus population has shrunk to very few individuals.

Background New epidemiological data on bacterial and parasitic infections in 24 Italian wall lizards, namely Podarcis sicula (mainland population) and P. sicula klemmerii (insular population) in southern Italy were provided. To achieve this goal, samples were collected from individuals belonging to the two populations and analysed by microbiological and parasitological methods. Results A wide range of bacteria (e.g. Pantoea spp., Citrobacter spp., Morganella spp., Pseudomonas , Enterobacter spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia coli ) and parasites (e.g. Ophionyssus natricis , coccidia, Dicrocoelidae) were detected in both P. sicula and P. sicula klemmerii individuals. Insular population presented similar bacterial and parasitic diversity to its mainland counterpart. Ampicillin was the antimicrobial with the highest resistance rate. Conclusion This study highlighted various bacteria and parasites, some of them potentially zoonotic. Further studies are needed to better understand the epidemiology and transmission routes of these pathogens along with their impact on the welfare and behaviour of Italian wall lizards.

We studied the thermal ecology of an introduced population of the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, in Menorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). We measured field body temperatures of adult lizards, as well as air and substrate temperatures at their capture places, during spring and summer. We assessed the relations between body and air temperatures, and between body and substrate temperatures, for both seasons. We studied the preferred temperature range of P. siculus in a laboratory thermal gradient. In addition, we recorded the operative temperatures of the habitat of the Italian wall lizard during summer. Then, we calculated the three indexes of behavioural thermoregulation for summer: thermal quality of the habitat, accuracy of thermoregulation, and effectiveness of thermoregulation. As expected, our results show that Italian wall lizards achieved significantly higher body temperatures during summer than during spring. Body temperatures were not significantly related to air temperatures in spring, but the correlation was significant in summer. In addition, body temperatures were not significantly related to substrate temperatures for any season. The preferred temperature range of the species was similar for males and females: 28.40-31.57 °C. Introduced Italian wall lizards of Menorca are effective thermoregulators, with an effectiveness of 0.82 during summer.

Trophic niche of the Italian wall lizard was studied at three different sites in Tuscany (central northern Italy), two along the Mediterranean sea, one inland. Fecal pellet analysis was carried out on 71 pellets (37 of male and 34 of female adult lizards), accounting on the whole for 184 prey items. Coleoptera, Hymenoptera (ants), Araneae and Gastropoda were the most represented taxa (numerical abundance of ca 22, 7, 7, 6% respectively). We found Brillouin diversity index similar in females and in males, with a marked overlap between sexes, but differences in niche overlapping among localities. Diet spectrum was quite different with that found in other central Italy localities, in the Tuscan Archipelago, or in areas where P. siculus has recently introduced. Our study confirms the opportunistic pattern and adaptability of this lizard species, and increases the range of sampled localities within the species’ range.