Research on isolated populations of common wall lizard Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia) from Dobrogea (Romania and Bulgaria)

Abstract

Research on isolated populations of common wall lizard Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia) from Dobrogea (Romania and Bulgaria) The isolated populations of common wall lizard Podarcis muralis from Dobrogea are strictly located in a few rocky habitats situated in the southern area of this geographical province. The sizes of these populations are small, compared to the populations from the rest of the area occupied by the species. This aspect, together with their strict location, makes them suitable for complex population studies. The work hypothesis was that the common wall lizard populations in Dobrogea are not connected to those from the Carpathians, the Danube and the Romanian Plain being bio-geographical barriers. In light of this hypothesis, the colonization of Dobrogea by the common wall lizard occurred from the south with individuals coming from populations located in the Balkan Peninsula.