Genus Gallotia Research Articles

Artbildung auf Inseln: Theorie zur Evolution der Eidechsen der Gattung Gallotia (Reptilia: Lacertidae) anhand albumin‐immunologischer Analysen und geologischer Daten zur Entstehungsgeschichte des Kanarischen Archipels

Speciation on Islands: Theory about the Evolution of the Lizards of the Genus Gallotia (Reptilia: Lacertidae) on the Basis of Albumin‐immunological Analyses and Geological Data about the Genesis of the Canary ArchipelagoAll recent members of the genus Gallotia from the seven large isles of the Canary Archipelago have been investigated immunologically by means of micro‐complement‐fixation technique. Three species of genera living in NW‐Africa were used as outgroup. From the evolutionary tree constructed from the results isolation times can be estimated and ways of colonization can be reconstructed. Various possibilities of insertion of the fossil species G. goliath in the evolutionary tree are discussed.

Recognition of Cyclic Transmission of Sarcocystis stehlinii n. sp. in the Gran Canarian Giant Lizard

The transmission of Sarcocystis species via cannibalism seems to be common among lizards of the genus Gallotia that are endemic to the Canary Islands. Gran Canarian giant lizards, Gallotia stehlini, were screened for the presence of sarcosporidian parasites. Sarcocysts, measuring 90-400 micrometers in length and 60-160 micrometers in width, were found in the musculature of the lizards' tails. In their feces the lizards passed sporocysts of 8.5(8.2-9.4) x 6.5(5.9-7.0) micrometers. A series of laboratory infections was carried out to shed light on the life cycle of Sarocystis stehlinii n.sp., proving it to be another dihomoxenous Sarcocystis species.

Estudios sobre la Herpetofauna Canaria I. El Cariotipo de Gallotia simonyi stehlini y de G. atlantica spp. en Poblaciones de la Isla de Gran Canaria1

Abstract A karyological analysis on lizards of the Canary Islands Gallotia simonyi stehlini and G. atlantica ssp., resulted in both cases in a formula of 2n = 40 (38 1 + 2 m; NF = 40); what, besides the results in Gallotia galloti, defines the genus Gallotia (Lacertidae) endemic of the Canary Islands as a monophyetic unit. Considering the ancestral characteristic demonstrated in several species of this genus by diferent authors such as some morphological aspects (the hemipenis) as well as ethological aspects (copulatory ritual), it pointed out the important coincidence of the karyotype of these species and its relictual character. The similarities with Lacerta jayakari of Oman, are commented taking into consideration the botanical connections between the Canary Islands and south-eastern Arabia.