The possible origin of the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768) in Ukraine

Abstract

The phylogenetic relationships and possible origin of a putative non-native population of Podarcis muralis in Ukraine were assessed based on sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Ukrainian lizards belong to two distinct mitochondrial lineages (haplogroups), both occurring within the Central Balkan clade, which includes most of central and south-eastern European populations. From overall three detected Ukrainian haplotypes, one haplotype share same genetic signal with the hyplotype from the locality Bjala (Bulgaria), the other two are unique for Ukrainian population. Two of haplotypes correspond with haplogroup covering large geographic region of Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania. These results reinforce previous findings that the species has the ability to establish new populations out of its native range. While most introductions to Germany and Britain have been deliberate, it appears likely that human transport of goods via the Danube river of goods is responsible for the range expansion into Ukraine.

Origin and haplotype diversity of the northernmost population of Podarcis tauricus (Squamata, Lacertidae): Do lizards respond to climate change and go north?

“…A similar situation can be found in the Common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768), whose local populations in the Czech Republic (and similarly in Poland and some populations in Ukraine) may have arisen as a result of intentional or unintentional human-mediated introduction. The comparison of haplotypes alone cannot unambiguously determine whether the Common wall lizard is introduced or autochthonous ( Jablonski et al 2019 , Vlček and Zavadil 2019 , Kolenda et al 2020 , Oskyrko et al 2020 ).…”

Climate and habitat configuration limit range expansion and patterns of dispersal in a non‐native lizard

“…Many of these introductions continue to extend the species’ range throughout continental Europe (Oskyrko et al. 2020; Šandera, 2017; Santos et al. 2019; Wirga & Majtyka, 2015), but the species also has several populations established in the New World, both in the United States (Brown et al.…”

“…Podarcis muralis has a long history of introductions beyond its native range which covers most of Western and Southern Europe (Gassert et al 2013). Many of these introductions continue to extend the species' range throughout continental Europe (Oskyrko et al 2020;Šandera, 2017;Santos et al 2019;Wirga & Majtyka, 2015), but the species also has several populations established in the New World, both in the United States (Brown et al 1995) and Canada (Allan et al 2006). Introduced to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in 1970, the species persisted in isolated populations until 2006, but has since spread with alarming speed due to jump dispersal (humanmediated) and natural radial dispersal of 40-70 m a year in urban areas (Engelstoft et al 2020).…”

New records of Darevskia praticola at the northern limit of its distribution range in Romania

“…It is possible that the trucks transporting logs from the southern shore of Mureș River populated by D. praticola have brought along some individuals, which continued to spread from the timber deposits. Lizard species introduced by human activity are known to exist in both Romania (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2006;Strugariu et al 2008;Gherghel et al 2009;Iftime and Iftime 2021) and other regions (e.g., Oliveira et al 2018;Santos et al 2019;Deimezis-Tsikoutas et al 2020;Oskyrko et al 2020). If this supposition is real, this will be a case when a forest species would benefit exactly from those activities which reduced its habitats.…”