fieldherping.eu

Of course, I will post something, but don't expect much.

Although the answer is likely different, 'why is Lacerta green' reminds me of 'why is arvalis blue'. Tougher questions then we may think at first.

Michal Szkudlarek wrote:not in Lacerta agilis

True.

Jeroen Speybroeck wrote:Although the answer is likely different, 'why is Lacerta green' reminds me of 'why is arvalis blue'. Tougher questions then we may think at first.

I guess you're right, but it could also be as simple as that... In any case I can't and wouldn't dare to try and guess a definitive answer. I was just saying (more to myself than others) that it's not so surprising Lacerta don't occupy completely rocky areas (like e.g. Podarcis or ammodytes) and that color-wise they fit better in an environment of lush vegetation.

Ilian Velikov wrote:

Michal Szkudlarek wrote:not in Lacerta agilis

True.

Jeroen Speybroeck wrote:Although the answer is likely different, 'why is Lacerta green' reminds me of 'why is arvalis blue'. Tougher questions then we may think at first.

I guess you're right, but it could also be as simple as that... In any case I can't and wouldn't dare to try and guess a definitive answer. I was just saying (more to myself than others) that it's not so surprising Lacerta don't occupy completely rocky areas (like e.g. Podarcis or ammodytes) and that color-wise they fit better in an environment of lush vegetation.

maybe they gave green colouration because they are good climbers and can be observed on bush (camouflage)?

Valid points by my book, gents. To a certain extent, it also may fit within the Podarcis genus, with a number of greener species being more ground-dwelling than their climbing relatives...

Jeroen Speybroeck wrote:Valid points by my book, gents. To a certain extent, it also may fit within the Podarcis genus,
with a number of greener species being more ground-dwelling than their climbing relatives...

I suppose you meant the "rock-climbing" relatives... since Michal meant "bush-climbing" animals...
The point is in greenery as the substrate, not in climbing as such - if I got it right.

Berislav Horvatic wrote:

Jeroen Speybroeck wrote:Valid points by my book, gents. To a certain extent, it also may fit within the Podarcis genus,
with a number of greener species being more ground-dwelling than their climbing relatives...

I suppose you meant the "rock-climbing" relatives...

Yes.

Jeroen Speybroeck wrote:Yes.

OK, that settled, what do you think of the positive (?) correlation of green/greenish lizards
and the green(ish) substrates they preferably inhabit? Could it be that simple?