Cyprus Lizards: Patterns of distribution, endemic species habitat suitability modelling and conservation implications
| dc.contributor.author | Svana, Kaliana | |
| dc.contributor.author | Zotos, Savvas | |
| dc.contributor.author | Kiamos, Nikolaos | |
| dc.contributor.author | Lymberakis, Petros | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mylonas, Moisis | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-05-31T09:15:57Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-05-31T09:15:57Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-05-31 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Considering the limited information on the distribution of Cyprus’ lizards, especially on endemic and endangered species, herein we explore their spatial patterns, with the aim of addressing this knowledge gap and contributing to informed conservation of the species as they face increasing pressure and threats. We recorded the eleven species present on the island, belonging to five families, of which two are endemic species (i.e. Laudakia cypriaca, Phoenicolacerta troodica) and four are endemic sub-species (i.e. Ablepharus budaki budaki, Acanthodactylus schreiberi schreiberi, Mediodactylus orientalis fitzingeri, Ophisops elegans schlueteri), including one listed as endangered by IUCN. We present new species occurrences and maps for all species, resulting from our extensive systematic survey in 2009. As a novelty, for the lizards and the island, we conducted species distribution modelling (SDM) for five endemic taxa. We used the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt), with a combination of selected environmental predictors and user defined parameter settings. We provide potential habitat suitability maps and investigate the role of environmental predictors influencing the possible species’ distribution. We conclude that temperature, precipitation and vegetation have the most important influence in predicting habitat suitability. We propose five subregions, as a general pattern of differing habitat suitability for lizard species on the island. We discuss the added value and conservation implications of new knowledge and datasets we provide. | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 1313-9940 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.uni-plovdiv.bg/handle/store/616 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski" | |
| dc.subject | lizards | |
| dc.subject | Cyprus | |
| dc.subject | SDM | |
| dc.subject | MaxEnt | |
| dc.subject | species occurrences | |
| dc.subject | habitat suitability | |
| dc.subject | endemic | |
| dc.subject | conservation | |
| dc.title | Cyprus Lizards: Patterns of distribution, endemic species habitat suitability modelling and conservation implications | |
| dc.type | Article |