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Fig. 1 Estimate of phylogeny for the Lacertidae. Relationships among many primitive Palaearctic taxa are largely unresolved. For contents of assemblages 
within the paraphyletic genus Lacerta see p. 65. As it is shown here the Lacerta saxicola group is not a clade. 
Takydromus (E Asia). 
This genus is made up of two sister clades, the subgenera Takydromus 
and Platyplacopus, with T: amurensis either basal to both or basal 
within the subgenus Takydromus (Arnold, 1997). Basal species in 
the genus Zakydromus tend to be mainly ground dwelling but in each 
of the two constituent clades there is progressive shift to extensive 
climbing in flimsy vegetation such as grass and herbs. However, 
various morphological features likely to give performance advan- 
tage in such situations occur throughout the genus, which suggests 
that it may have been ancestrally climbing. If so there may have been 
a shift to a more ground-dwelling life mode and then two reversions 
to climbing (Arnold, 1997). 
Lacerta agilis group (Europe, SW Asia) 
Ground-dwelling and climbing especially in brambles (Rubus) and 
similar vegetation. L. agilis is more ground dwelling than the other 
species. 
Lacerta lepida group (SW Europe, NW Africa, SW Asia) 
Ground dwelling and climbing. 
Lacerta vivipara (Europe eastwards to Sachalien) 
Ground dwelling in and around herbaceous and heathland vegeta- 
tion. 
Podarcis (NW Africa, S and central Europe) 
P. hispanica, and P. muralis are frequently active.on the ground but 
also climb extensively, especially on rocky surfaces. Other species 
of Podarcis climb to varying extents but usually less than most 
populations of P. hispanica and P. muralis, spending a larger propor- 
tion of time on or close to the ground. This trend is particularly 
apparent in such forms as Podarcis sicula, P. melisellensis and 
especially P. taurica. P. sicula often runs considerable distances 
across open areas. (Sources: Bohme, 1986; Arnold, 1987; Arnold & 
Burton, 1978; pers. obs.). 
Lacerta andreanskyi (Atlas mountains of Morocco) 
This high altitude species has been observed on flat or gently 
sloping areas of scree with many interstices and often some veg- 
etation (Busack, 1987; pers. obs.). It 1s active on the irregular 
surfaces of such situations but also spends considerable time trav- 
elling through the spaces between the stones, something that can 
be confirmed by providing captives with a similar structural envi- 
ronment. The lizards pass through very narrow gaps and also often 
make sharp turns in confined spaces. L. andreanszkyi make use of 
the thermal properties of the scree column to maintain their body 
temperature when the sun disappears. At such times, they retreat 
into the layer of stones immediately below the surface which still 
retains heat, descending further into more secure refuges when 
these cool (pers. obs.). 
Lacerta dugesii and L. perspicillata (Madeira, NW Africa) 
Both these species climb to a considerable extent on open usually 
rocky surfaces, a trend that is better developed in L. perspicillata 
(pers. obs.). 
Lacerta saxicola group (Caucasus area and adjoining north Iran, 
Iraq and Turkey) 
Lacerta saxicola and generally similar species in the Caucasus and 
adjoining areas occur especially on rocky exposures of various kinds. 
L. chlorogaster of north Iran etc is distinctive in being found in forest 
where it climbs on tree boles, while L. praticola and L. derjugini are 
mainly ground dwelling in mesic herbaceous situations (Bannikov et 
al., 1977; Darevskii, 1967; Lantz & Cyren, 1947). 
L. brandtii, which may possibly be related to the L. saxicola 
group, is basically ground-dwelling occurring in dry, open though 
