Mystery Herp Page

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Prespa, Greece, May 2000, © Lars Bergendorf.
Originally identified as a young Lacerta trilineata but bets are also placed on Podarcis erhardii and Podarcis tauricus

Comments from Nikolay Tzankov: This is not a Lacerta ssp. since:

• The general head and body proportions; such as the elongated and relatively flat head and not so robust body and limbs
• The single postnasal (there are only very few exceptions among L. viridis and L.trilineata)
• Clearly visible temporal band, typical for Podarcis species
• Marginal scales dimension just near the ventral scales, and in general the dorsal scales seem to be very small
• Temporal scales dimension

This is Podarcis erhardii since:

• Dimension of the temporal scales seem to be very small (trait typical for erhardii but not for tauricus)
• Throat coloration (pale yellow) is often observed in erhardii (in tauricus yellow-green color is most common but thereare exceptions)
• Head proportions; such as elongated snout and flat head are typical for erhardii (tauricus' head is much more robust)

According to Nikolay this lizard represents a depigmentated morph of P. erhardii riveti (never before observed as far as he knows). Additional comments are most welcome. Please email the webmaster.

Badesi, Sardinia, 14 April 2004, © Per Blomberg
Waterfrogs on Sardinia. Kl. esculenta? lessonae? ridibunda?

Comments from Nikolay Tzankov:
The robust head and body (of the big specimen), very small callus internus, grainy skin and spotted ventral side attribute these frogs to R. cf. ridibunda. Additional comments are most welcome. Please email the webmaster.

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