Lizard ID please (1 Viewer)

[Stuart Ling]

Can anyone put a name to any of these photos please. They were all taken in Istria, Croatia in May last year and were all taken near to the coast.

regards

Stuart

 

[Cristian Mihai]

My guess is Podarcis taurica and Podarcis muralis...Probably I'm wrong...

 

[ta brandreth]

I think you're right on both...

 

[Stuart Ling]

Thanks for the prompt replies. I think P.taurica can be ruled out on range alone - I'm leaning more towards P.melisellensis for the first one. As for the second, I can't decide between muralis or sicula, both of which occur in the area. I've got other photos, but the more I look at them the more confused I become.

cheers

Stuart

 

[Mike Richardson]

Thanks for the prompt replies. I think P.taurica can be ruled out on range alone - I'm leaning more towards P.melisellensis for the first one. As for the second, I can't decide between muralis or sicula, both of which occur in the area. I've got other photos, but the more I look at them the more confused I become.

cheers

Stuart

To my knowledge P. taurica is not found in the area (as you say).

I think the first one is P. melisellensis and the second is P. muralis (however, I'm not 100% certain).

 

[vipersgarden]

Hello,

the first (green) one is Podarcis siculus campestris, Italian Wall Lizard, and the 2nd Podarcis muralis maculiventris.

Cheers,
Mario

 

[Mike Richardson]

Hello,

the first (green) one is Podarcis siculus campestris, Italian Wall Lizard, and the 2nd Podarcis muralis maculiventris.

Cheers,
Mario

Mario – what features make the first lizard P. Siculus? I really struggle with wall lizards and would appreciate your input.

 

[vipersgarden]

skink1978,

sometimes it is really hard to differentiate between siculus and melisellensis.
Here are some features which may help.
The dorsal stripe:
In siculus it is allways with straight borders, while in melisellensis it is a little bit zig-zag. In this photo, shown here, the dorsal stripe in parts very light colored, but you may see the straight borders. Also, in siculus it mostly ends in the front at the rear of the head, while in melisellensis often in midbody.
The flanks:
If you see the lizard from the side, in siculus there are never two ventrals with blue spots side by side, while in melissellensis often 3 or 4 blue spotted ventrals are side by side.
Also melisellensis has a bit smaller and smoother dorsal scales, which give a "oily" appereance of the lizard.

Mario

 

[Mike Richardson]

skink1978,

sometimes it is really hard to differentiate between siculus and melisellensis.
Here are some features which may help.
The dorsal stripe:
In siculus it is allways with straight borders, while in melisellensis it is a little bit zig-zag. In this photo, shown here, the dorsal stripe in parts very light colored, but you may see the straight borders. Also, in siculus it mostly ends in the front at the rear of the head, while in melisellensis often in midbody.
The flanks:
If you see the lizard from the side, in siculus there are never two ventrals with blue spots side by side, while in melissellensis often 3 or 4 blue spotted ventrals are side by side.
Also melisellensis has a bit smaller and smoother dorsal scales, which give a "oily" appereance of the lizard.

Mario

Many thanks Mario, that's very useful.

 

[Stuart Ling]

Thanks for the info Mario,
The blue ventral spots can clearly be seen in the melisellensis photo.

regards

Stuart

 

[Stuart Ling]

Disregard my previous comment - the photo i mention is actually a muralis.

apologies

Stuart