Anatololacerta pelasgiana - Pelasgian Rock Lizard
The Pelasgian Rock Lizard is a highly photogenic species, quite varaible in colouration and pattern. Remarkably, this species shows a low sexual dimorphism: Females can be as colourful as males.
Moreover, these lizards show a unique mating behavior as copulation may last more than 30 minutes. During this time span, both partners may rest in the same position with hardly any movement. This is quite surprising as it could significantly increase predation risk for such a small reptile.
In Greece, this species occurs on Rhodos and some adjoining islets, Symi and Nisyros. An introduced population exists on Kastellorizo.
In particular on Rhodes it is highly abundant and often quite approachable. It occupies a wide range of habitats: rocky coasts, woodlands, olive groves and even human settlements. Vertical structures seem to be important for this well climbing species.
It may co-occur with the following species:
- Ophisops elegans, which differs from Anatololacerta pelasgiana by its fixed eyelid and a very rough appearance of its scales.
- Juveniles of Lacerta diplochondrodes (present on Rhodes) frequently show a distinct light vertebral line which lacks in Anatololacerta oertzeni.
