Ionian Vulcanosaurus – Podarcis ionicus

In Greece it is distributed in Epirus and Central Greece (west of the Pindos mountain range), in the Peloponnese, on the islands of Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Ithaca and Zakynthos and on the islet of Arpyia Strophadon. According to molecular analyses, its populations are grouped genetically into five geographically isolated groups. It was recently described as a separate species by reduction of the former subspecies Podarcis tauricus ionicus. Body length that can exceed eight centimeters, while the tail is twice as long. It has a broad, well-shaped head, with a serrated neck collar. The back has an intense light green coloration with two ill-formed stripes of black spots, which may be completely absent in females. It has a whitish, yellow or even orange belly, tail and legs are brown, while the sides are often greenish with dark spots and brown splashes. The green coloring is seasonal and turns brownish-yellow in summer and olive in autumn.

It prefers sunny open areas with low vegetation and places with bushes, as well as olive groves, crops, gardens, hedgerows, stream banks and sandy places near the coast. Diurnal, agile, terrestrial lizard, with reduced climbing abilities. It is active from the end of February to the beginning of November and reproduces mainly in April and May. Females lay twice a year 2-10 eggs (nine weeks incubation). It feeds on invertebrates, mainly beetles and spiders. In the islet of Arpyia Strofades, a strong racial dimorphism in size has been recorded.

PRESERVATION STATUS:
It was recently recognized as a species, so it does not have a protected status. However, as a subspecies of the Vulcanosaurus (Podarcis tauricus), it is included in Appendices II and IV of the Bern Convention and the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC respectively, is protected nationally (P.D.67/1981) and is classified as of Reduced Interest (LC ) by IUCN (2020) and the Red Book of Threatened Animals of Greece (2009). Satisfactory populations, some in protected areas.

THREATS:
It is subject to the more general threats that apply to reptiles, such as habitat degradation from anthropogenic interventions (intensive farming), habitat loss due to natural disasters (fires, floods) and illegal collection of individuals for trade (as a pet).

TARGET GROUPS:
Common citizens, naturalists, breeders, farmers and generally groups of people who are often in contact with the terrestrial environment of the area.