Filfola lizard

{{Short description|Species of lizard}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Speciesbox | name = Maltese wall lizard | image = Podarcis filfolensis.jpg | image_caption = In Marsaxlokk, Malta | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Claudia Corti, Valentin Pérez-Mellado, Roberto Sindaco, Antonio Romano |date=2009 |title=''Podarcis filfolensis'' |volume=2009 |article-number=e.T17793A7479516 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T17793A7479516.en |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Podarcis | species = filfolensis | authority = (Bedriaga, 1876) | range_map = Podarcis filfolensis distribution.png | synonyms = }}

The '''filfola lizard''' or '''Maltese wall lizard''' ('''''Podarcis filfolensis''''') is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is found in Italy (in the Pelagian Islands) and in the island group of Malta. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, rocky shores, arable land, pastureland, and rural gardens.

==''P. filfolensis'' in Malta==

In the Maltese Islands, there are four subspecies of the Maltese wall lizard, all of which are endemic there.

=== ''Podarcis filfolensis'' ssp. ''maltensis'' ===

thumb|''Podarcis filfolensis'' ssp. ''maltensis'' male from Gozo This subspecies is found on the three main islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. It is normally greenish and sometimes speckled.<ref name="Wildlife">Wildlife of the Maltese Islands, BirdLife Malta and Nature Trust, 1995</ref>

===''Podarcis filfolensis'' ssp. ''filfolensis''=== thumb|''Podarcis filfolensis'' ssp. ''filfolensis'' female This subspecies is endemic to the islet of Filfla just off the coast of Malta. It is the largest of the four subspecies and is blackish with bluish spots.<ref name="Wildlife"/>

===''Podarcis filfolensis'' ssp. ''kieselbachi''=== thumb|''Podarcis filfolensis'' ssp. ''kieselbachi'' male This subspecies is endemic to Selmunett, otherwise known as St.Paul's Islands. Its colours vary greatly e.g. brown, grey, etc. with an orange belly and small black spots. The population became extinct in 2005.<ref name="Wildlife"/>

===''Podarcis filfolensis'' ssp. ''generalensis''=== thumb|''Podarcis filfolensis'' ssp. ''generalensis'' male This subspecies is endemic to Fungus Rock (west coast of Gozo). It has a reddish belly and blue-like flanks.<ref name="Wildlife"/>

==Other subspecies== thumb|''P. filfolensis'' ssp. ''laurentimulleri'' A fifth subspecies is thought to exist on the island of Cominotto/Kemunett <ref name="Wildlife"/> and another subspecies, ''Podarcis filfolensis'' ssp. ''laurentimulleri'', occurs on the Italian islands of Linosa and Lampione.<ref>Nature in Gozo, BirdLife Malta, 2007</ref>

==Features and behaviour==

Unlike the males, who have bright colours, young lizards and females have somewhat dull coloration (brownish).<ref name="Wildlife"/> The Maltese wall lizard usually eats small insects like ants or termites.

Males show territorial behaviour. When other males enter its territory, it puffs up and raises its head. A similar behaviour is seen when they attract females. Mating takes place in spring. One or two eggs are laid shortly after, and finally hatch between June and mid-August.<ref name="Wildlife"/>

==References and sources== {{Reflist}} *Savona-Ventura C. Taxonomical status of the Maltese wall lizard (''Podarcis filfolensis'' BEDRIAGA 1876). Central Mediterranean Naturalist 2001, 3(3):89-95 *Savona-Ventura C. The herpetofauna of Comino and satellite islets with a note on the colouration of ''Podarcis filfolensis''. Animalia 1983; 10(1/3):87-93 *Savona-Ventura C. The Natural History of St. Paul's Islands - Reptiles and Mammals. Potamon 1983; 11:32-34 *Savona-Ventura C. Reptiles and amphibians in Maltese ecology. Potamon 1979; 1(2):14-16 *Sciberras, A. (2005) Observation on the endangered population of the Maltese wall lizard of Selmunett island (''Podarcis filfolensis kieselbachi'').Unpublished work, presented to the chamber of young scientists of Malta at 4–10 April, winning the contest 1st place and leading to the Belgian Science expo on 26 April to 1 May. *Sciberras, A. (2007) Lizards At Id-Dwejra. Dwejra Heritage Park Gozo pgs.28-33. Dwejra Management Board. *Sciberras, A. & Schembri, P.J. (2008) Conservation Status of St Paul's Island Wall Lizard (''Podarcis filfolensis kieselbachi''). Herpetological Bulletin-Number 105 pgs.28-34.

Category:Podarcis Category:Fauna of Malta Category:Reptiles described in 1876 Category:Endemic fauna of Malta Category:Taxa named by Jacques von Bedriaga Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot