Molecular characterization of native (Italy) and introduced (USA) Podarcis sicula populations (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

The wall lizard Podarcis sicula has been introduced in many locations outside its native range. Partial sequences from the 12S rDNA, that had proved diagnostic for the three main subspecies, were used to test specimens from marginal native and from introduced American populations. The mitochondrial haplotype of a specimen from Apulia, traditionally ascribed to P. s. campestris, belongs to the P. s. sicula gene-pool. Specimens from a P. s. sicula - P. s. campestris boundary area (southern Latium), with transitional morphology but P. s. sicula-like ecology, show mitochondrial haplotypes clearly of the campestris type. The mitochondrial haplotypes of the American specimens (from Kansas and New York), that originated from captive stocks, were included in a P. s. campestris clade. A definitive assessment of the status of both native and introduced populations will require the use of nuclear markers.