Podarcis

Podarcis
Common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Sauria
Infraorder: Scincomorpha
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Podarcis
Wagler, 1830[1][2][3]

Podarcis is a genus of lizards. Its members look very similar to lizards of the genus Lacerta, to which they were considered to belong until the 1970s. While similar externally and ecologically, Podarcis form a distinct group differing from Lacerta by the construction of the skull and the hemipenis, and by the processes of the caudal vertebrae.[4] They are commonly known as wall lizards. They are native to Europe and northern Africa, and most species are restricted to the Mediterranean region. The Italian wall lizard and the common wall lizard have been introduced to North America.

Classification

Genus Podarcis

The Moroccan Rock Lizard (Teira perspicillata) is also sometimes placed here.

References

  1. ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
  2. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. Dahms Tierleben. www.dahmstierleben.de.
  4. Wendler, Günter Diesener ; Josef Reichholf. Hrsg. von Gunter Steinbach. Ill. von Fritz (1996). Lurche und Kriechtiere (Neue, bearb. Sonderausg. ed.). München: Mosaik-Verl. ISBN 3-576-10697-9.

Further reading

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