Geniez's wall lizard
Podarcis virescens, also known by its common name as Geniez's wall lizard, is a lizard species of the Lacertidae family. Podarcis virescens is commonly found in the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal. The lizard’s name is derived from Latin due to its color turning from a usual brown color to green during the spring. Podarcis virescens are a moderate sized lizard and robust in build. Colors vary during seasons and range between individuals from white, brown, green, and black. Podarcis virescens have been found in villages and other human-populated areas in Spain and Portugal at elevations of around 840 meters.
Podarcis virescens is a lizard species of a moderate size, although Podarcis virescens can be significantly larger than other lizards in the Podarcis genus such as Podarcis carbonelli. Podarcis virescens vary significantly in color with individuals ranging from white to brown or black. Individuals, particularly males, may change color to green during the spring which then disappears in the summer. The underside of the lizard is more yellow in color than other parts of the lizard’s body. Podarcis virescens are robust in shape and not flattened compared to other lizard species. Males and females are of around the same size between 40 mm and 63 mm.
Podarcis virescens are considered a robust lizard due to its build. Podarcis lizards vary greatly in color and build so Podarcis virescens does not completely share appearance traits with other Podarcis species. This was likely caused by increased diversification in the history Podarcis lizards, especially during the time period preceding and around the Zanclean Flood.
Podarcis virescens is commonly found in the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal, most commonly in the Central and Southern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. However, the lizard is not commonly found in the most southern and eastern portions of Spain. Podarcis virescens can be found near cities and villages including Santa Maria da Feira, in Portugal, and Villanueva de los Escuderos, in Spain. The lizard can sometimes be found near rivers or mountains, although the lizard’s habitat can vary greatly and includes human-inhabited areas around cities. Examples of Podarcis virescens sightings include cultivated plains and human roads surrounding Spanish and Portuguese cities.
Like most similar lizards, Podarcis virescens mainly rely on small arthropods for food. This includes Coleoptera, Homoptera, and Aranea arthropods. In some cases, cannibalism or preying on similar lizards has been found and documented in similar lizards. Several cases of cannibalism with other Podarcis lizards, like Podarcis atrata, eating eggs and juveniles has been observed. One case of Podarcis virescens preying on Podarcis carbonelli has been observed in Portugal. These cases are predicted to involve high density areas of lizards with low resources resulting in cannibalism. With the Podarcis virescens case, it is possible that the Podarcis virescens was significantly larger than the Podarcis carbonelli lizard as Podarcis virescens lizards are generally larger in size.
Podarcis virescens currently does not have a conservation status according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While the IUCN lists other lizard species including lizards in the Podarcis genus as being endangered or monitored for conservation, there does not appear to be concern for Podarcis virescens levels. They are commonly found throughout the Iberian peninsula in mountainous and other areas. They have adapted to human changes in their habitat and can be seen on human structures like roads and buildings. The exact impact of humans on Podarcis virescens is unknown as no studies have been conducted to investigate levels of Podarcis virescens in their native region.
