Low genetic variation in a critically endangered Mediterranean lizard: conservation concerns forPodarcis raffonei(Reptilia, Lacertidae)

Abstract

The conservation status of Podarcis raffonei, native to the Aeolian Islands (north cast of Sicily, Tyrrhenian Sea), is assessed by studying its genetic structure and evidencing factors affecting the survival of the species. Genetic variation in the species is quite low and genetic subdivision is high, as compared to other lacertid lizards and to vertebrates in general. Very little gene flow was detected, implying little or no contact between populations. The four remaining populations of P. raffonei are under severe threat from the effects of habitat alteration, interspecific competition, collecting and trade, very low population density and inbreeding, population fragmentation, and apparent loss of genetic variation. Possible management and conservation measures are suggested.

Status of the largest extant population of the critically endangered Aeolian lizard Podarcis raffonei (Capo Grosso, Vulcano island)

“…Nevertheless, this lizard is considered to have suffered a dramatic decline during the last decades, and the IUCN Red List suggests a decreasing population trend [24]. Habitat loss, urbanization, wildfires, overgrazing, and inbreeding have all been proposed as potential driving factors [18,19,[24][25][26][27][28]. It has been suggested that historical declines of P. raffonei might be related with the expansion of the Italian wall lizard P. siculus [18,19], which has been introduced across the whole Mediterranean basin and adjacent areas, as well as in the UK and the US and Canada, by human activities [29,30].…”