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| Podarcis filfolensis (Bedriaga, 1876) |
The Filfola Lizard or Maltese Wall Lizard (Podarcis filfolensis) is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family. Jacques Vladimir von Bedriaga; (last name sometimes spelled Bedryagha) (1854-1906 was a Russian Herpetologist who was a native of the village Kriniz Lizards are a large and widespread group of Reptiles of the order Squamata, with nearly 5000 species and ranging across all continents except Lacertidae is the family of the wall lizards, or true lizards, which are native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is found in Italy and Malta. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, rocky shores, arable land, pastureland, and rural gardens. A habitat (which is Latin for "it inhabits" is an Ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular Species. In Geography, arable land (from Latin arare, to Plough) is an agricultural term meaning land that can be used for
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The Filfola Lizard in Malta
In the Maltese Islands, there are four subspecies of the Maltese Wall Lizard. In Zoology, as in other branches of Biology, subspecies is the Taxonomic rank immediately subordinate to a Species. All four subspecies are endemic to the Maltese Islands. Endemism is the Ecological state of being unique to a place Endemic species are not naturally found elsewhere
Podarcis filfolensis ssp. maltensis
This subspecies is found on the three main islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands Gozo ( Għawdex) is an Island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European Comino (Maltese Kemmuna) is an island of the Maltese archipelago between the islands of Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea, It is normally greenish and sometimes speckled [1].
Podarcis filfolensis ssp. filfolensis
This subspecies is endemic to the islet of Filfla just off the coast of Malta. For human anatomy see Islets of Langerhans An islet is a small Island. Filfla is a small barren uninhabited Islet south of Malta, and is the most southerly point of the Maltese Archipelago. It is the largest of the four subspecies and is blackish with bluish spots [1].
Podarcis filfolensis ssp. kieselbachi
This subspecies is endemic to Selmunett, otherwise known as St.Paul's Islands. St Paul's Island (also referred to as Selmunett is a flat islet (there are in fact two of them well separated when the sea is rough lying in St Its colours vary greatly e. g. brown, grey, etc. with a orange belly and small black spots [1]. recent studies indicate that this population is probably extinct.
Podarcis filfolensis ssp. generalensis
This subspecies is endemic to Fungus Rock (west coast of Gozo). Fungus Rock, which also has the affectionate Maltese name 'Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral' (the General's Rock is a small islet 60 metres high massive lump of limestone in the entrance It has a reddish belly and blue-like flanks [1].
Other subspecies
A fifth subspecies is thought to exist on the island of Cominotto/Kemunett [1] and another subspecies occurs on the Italian islands of Linosa and Lampione[2]. Cominotto ( Kemmunett) sometimes referred to as Cominetto is an uninhabited Mediterranean Island off the northern coast of Malta. Linosa is one of the Pelagie Islands in the Sicily Channel of the Mediterranean Sea. Lampione (Lantern is a small rocky island located in the Mediterranean Sea, which belongs geographically to the Pelagie Islands and administratively to the
Features and behaviour
Unlike the males, who have bright colours, young lizards and females have somewhat dull coloration (brownish) [1].
Males show territorial behaviour. When other males enter its territory, it puffs up and raises its head. A similar behaviour is seen when they attract females. Mating takes place in spring. One or two eggs are laid shortly after, and finally hatch between June and mid-August [1].
See also
References and sources
- Corti, C. An endemic Organism is said to be found only in certain areas of the world Endemism is the Ecological state of being unique to a place Endemic species are not naturally found elsewhere Filfla is a small barren uninhabited Islet south of Malta, and is the most southerly point of the Maltese Archipelago. & Pérez-Mellado, V. 2005. Podarcis filfolensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 28 July 2007.
Arnold Sciberras (2007) Lizards At Id-Dwejra. Dwejra Heritage Park Gozo pgs. 28-33. Dwejra Management Board.
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