Skyros wall lizard  (Podarcis gaigeae)

The Skyros wall lizard is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The Skyros wall lizard (Podarcis gaigeae) is a member of the Lacertidae family, a group of small- to medium-sized lizards with slender bodies and long tails, also known as the wall or true lizards (3). There is substantial variation in colour between the male and female Skyros wall lizard. The male is more vibrantly coloured than the brownish-grey female, with a bold streak of green along its back and mottled-black, brownish-grey flanks. The Skyros wall lizard grows to larger sizes on some of the smaller islands that it inhabits (2).

Genetic testing in 1999 confirmed that there are two subspecies of the Skyros wall lizard: Podarcis gaigeae gaigeae and Podarcis gaigeae weiglandi (1).

Found only in Greece, the Skyros wall lizard occurs on the Skyros Archipelago and on Piperi Island in the northern Sporades Islands in the Aegean Sea. It is believed to occupy an area of less than 20 square kilometres (1).

The Skyros wall lizard is found in both bare areas and Mediterranean shrubby vegetation (1).

Like many other wall lizards, which lay clutches of up to 10 eggs (3), the Skyros wall lizard is an oviparous, or egg-laying species (1). Commonly the most active reptile in its habitat, the Skyros wall lizard relies on its speed to dart from cover to cover to avoid predators. However, if captured by a predator, it can lose its tail through a series of muscle contractions in an attempt to escape (2).

The Skyros wall lizard is insectivorous, and actively hunts for a range of arthropods (2) (3).

Although the population size of the Skyros wall lizard is currently unknown, it is considered common on the few islands on which it occurs. Currently, there appear to be no major threats to the species, but it may potentially be affected by the outbreak of human-caused and natural wildfires, which can quickly spread across the species’ dry, shrubby habitat (1).

In addition, its extremely small range means that any changes to the ecosystem could have dramatic effects on the Skyros wall lizard, and the accidental introduction of predators in particular could deal a striking blow to its population (1).

Due to the presence of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), the island of Piperi is a protected area within the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades. This island supports key populations of the Skyros wall lizard, and access to it is limited (1).

For more information on reptile conservation:

• The International Reptile Conservation Foundation:
  http://www.ircf.org/