Meet the wall lizards

Inquisitive, abundant and wonderfully colorful, the Mediterranean wall lizards are hard to miss. The dynamic geology and climate of the Mediterranean basin has shaped the lizards’ evolution and, with thousands of islands, it is a huge natural laboratory for studies of how evolution works.

The geographic patterns of phenotypic variation and the lizards’ ability to persist on tiny islets have always been difficult to reconcile with mainstream evolutionary thought. The wall lizards invite us to investigate both external and internal drivers of adaptation, diversification and persistence.

The Ibiza wall lizard – Podarcis pityusensis – shows a variety of different colors. Pictures: Roberto Garcia-Roa

Our research takes us across the Mediterranean to record and quantify phenotypic variation. We are particularly interested in color patterns, which show an amazing – and often confusing – mix of divergence and convergence. Using genomic data, we can reconstruct evolutionary history, identify the genetics of adaptation and diversity, and study the causes and consequences of population divergence, isolation and hybridization.

Fieldwork on Toro Island outside of Corsica. Picture: Geoff While

We combine our research on natural populations with studies in the laboratory or in outdoor enclosures. Wall lizards are easy to breed, which makes it possible to investigate their developmental biology and conduct crossing experiments. If you wish to know if wall lizards are right for your favorite topic, please get in touch. The more we can learn from these lizards the better.