First records of the Italian wall lizard,Podarcis siculus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz,1810) (Squamata: Lacertidae) in Albania

Abstract

The occurrence of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) in Albania is confirmed. Our findings are now the southernmost known records of the species on the eastern Adriatic coast,and officially present a new reptile species for the Albanian herpetofauna. The origin of these records is discussed; molecular investigation is needed for future evaluation of P. siculus populations in Albania and the western Balkans.