Podarcis thais - Eastern Peloponnese Wall Lizard

Podarcis thais
Male: GR / Parnon, 21.07.2021 - Note the extensive blue coloration on the flanks

Podarcis thais, which formerly has been regarded as a subspecies of Podarcis peloponnesiacus, has been put into species rank in 2021 (Kiourtsoglou, A., Kaliontzopoulou, A., Poursanidis, D., Jablonski, D., Lymberakis, P., & Poulakakis, N. (2021). Evidence of cryptic diversity in Podarcis peloponnesiacus and re-evaluation of its current taxonomy; insights from genetic, morphological, and ecological data. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 00, 1–21.)

We do not know why such a beautiful lizard has been named after an antique prostitute (Thaïs was a so called Hetaera). Howbeit: this colorful species can be real stunners in spring.

 

The distribution range of this lizard covers the eastern Peloponnese (Korinthia, Argolis, Arcadia and Lakonia prefectures). It seems to be geographically separated some 1.7 million years ago from Podarcis pelopopnnesiacus with the mountain ranges of Parnon, Mainalo, Olygirtos and Killini as natural barriers (see the putative distribution map).

 

However, in the Stymphalia and Feneos area, there seems to be a small overlap where both species co-occur, but apparently, they do not interbreed. 

 

Within the contact zone, distinguishing between Podarcis peloponnesiacus and Podarcis thais by field character may be tricky and sometimes impossible.

Podarcis peloponnesiacus
The putative distribution area of Podarcis peloponnesiacus and Podarcis thais

From our point of view, males of Podarcis peloponnesiacus and Podarcis thais differ by the following field characters, although these are not diagnostic:

Podarcis thais

Podarcis peloponnesiacus

Extensive blue coloration on the flanks - actually, this seems to be the most reliable field character

Only some well-defined blue shoulder spots

Frequently with broad dark supra-dorsolateral stripes

Supra-dorsolateral stripes often weak or interrupted

Throat orange or white

Throat orange or yellow

No green coloration on back

May have greenish backs or green dorsolateral stripes

Tail may be blue or green

Tail brownish / greyish

In south of its range, concolor morphs frequently seem to occur.

 

For separation of Podarcis thais from other Podarcis species on Peloponnese, see criteria at Podarcis peloponnesiacus.

Podarcis thais
Male: GR / Astros, 15.04.2019 - Males may show stunnning colours in spring.
Podarcis thais
Male: GR / Astros, 15.04.2019 - Note the bluish tale of this specimen
Podarcis thais
Male: GR / Argolis, 16.04.2019 – A specimen with prominent dark supra-dorsolateral lines
Podarcis thais
Female: GR / Astros, 15.04.2019 - Females sometimes also show beautiful colors
Podarcis thais
Pair: GR / Southern slopes of Parnon, 17.04.2019 - In some populations, concolor morphs occur
Podarcis thais
Female: GR / Southern slopes of Parnon, 17.04.2019 - A female with concolor pattern
Podarcis thais
Male: GR / Monemvasia, 17.04.2019: Specimen from the Monemvassia population sometimes resemble to Podarcis erhardii (However, that species does not occur in this area).
Podarcis thais
Female: GR / Monemvasia, 17.04.2019: A female with bluish colors from the Monemvasia population
Podarcis thais
The Parnon mountain range: Home of Podarcis thais, Podarcis muralis, Hellenolacerta graeca, Algyroides moreoticus and Lacerta trilineata.