Podarcis gaigeae - Skyros Wall Lizard
The lizards of Skyros Island have been isolated from the Greek mainland for about 4 million years - enough time for the development of a new species: Podarcis gaigeae. And evolution still does not rest: Some islets off Skyros hold populations with "giant morphs" growing to almost the double size of their brothers and sisters on Skyros. Hence, the story of life continues...
The Skyros Wall Lizard is an endemic species of the Skyros Archipelago and the uninhabited Piperi Island.
It has no strong habitat preferences and is somehow omnipresent on Skyros: It can be found in rocky areas, on sandy beaches and even within human settlements in good numbers.
This species is quite variable in colour and pattern. Anyhow, as it is the only small Lacertid within its distribution range, confusion with other species is unlikely. Juveniles of Lacerta trilineata, the only other Lacertid on Skyros, frequently show a light vertebral line, which is dark in Podarcis gaigeae.
It's closest relatives are Podarcis milensis, Podarcis tauricus and Podarcis ionicus.
