Ventral colour polymorphism of evolutionary lineages of the common wall lizard in Germany Polymorphismus der Bauchfärbung evolutionärer Linien der Mauereidechse in Deutschland

Ventral colour polymorphism of 415 adult common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) were examined within five introduced and one native population in Germany. All five examined evolutionary lineages of the species show a distinct ventral colour polymorphism. Ventral colours were lacking in both sexes of the Venetian lineage (P. m. maculiventris-Ost), which exhibited a marbled white pattern. Orange colours in combination with a black mottling can be found frequently in the Central Balkans lineage (P. m. muralis). Contrary, all other lineages (Eastern France, Western France and Southern Alps) feature three different colour morphs (white, yellow and orange) in different frequencies. Yellow to ochre bellies are typical for the Southern Alps lineage (P. m. maculiventris-West), whereas whitish morphs are most common in the Eastern France (P. m. brongniardii) and Western France lineages. We discuss different approaches that might explain ventral colour polymorphism in this species. © Laurenti-Verlag, Bielefeld.