Lizard ID NW Spain

[Mike Brown]

I would appreciate some expert opinions as to the ID of the lizard in the attached photo. It was taken near Ribadeo, NW Spain, in October 2008, not far from the coast. I suspect it is a Lacerta monticola cantabrica, but would like confirmation of this.
Many Thanks
Mike

[Peter Oefinger]

Hi Mike,
you are right: in this area of Spain monticola occurs at sea level.
The genus is Iberolacerta.

[Mike Brown]

Thanks, Peter.
Could you also check the identity of the attached photo, of one of a colony of lizards seen on rocks and old buildings, actually on the coast, west of Ribadeo. Could this be Podarcis bocagei?
Many Thanks
Mike

[Peter Oefinger]

Hard to say from this picture. It could be bocagei but for me it "feels" like muralis...

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

Hmmm... With this pattern, I'm rather sure that this is not muralis. Uniform central part of back and specific type of dappling (or how do you call that?) along both the lateral and dorsal edge of the pale dorsolateral lines seems to fit rather nicely for Podarcis bocagei. Head's too short for muralis. Also locality seems more suitable for bocy?

[Peter Oefinger]

dappling (or how do you call that?) along both the lateral and dorsal edge of the pale dorsolateral lines

good point!!!

[Mike Brown]

Thanks Peter and Jeroen. This is a picture of another, larger animal from the same area (Rinlo)

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

Also bocagei to me.

[Peter Oefinger]

No more doubts