THE NATIONAL RED LIST OF NORTH MACEDONIA

European Glass Lizard

Pseudopus apodus

Macedonian

Змијогуштер, Блавор

Albanian

Bullari

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Not evaluated Data deficient Least concern Near threatened VULNERABLE Endangered Critically endangered Extinct in the wild Extinct
NE DD LC NT VU EN CR EW EX
Taxonomy
Assessment info
Population
Habitat and Ecology
Threats
Use and Trade
Conservation Actions
Bibliography

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Pseudopus apodus

Authority

(Pallas, 1775)

Synonyms

Lacerta apus Gmelin, 1789; Ophisaurus apodus (Pallas, 1775); Pseudopus serpentinus Merrem, 1820; Sheltopusic didactilus Satunini et Latreille, 1802

Assessment info

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria

VU – Vulnerable, B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv)

Date assessed

November 2019

Assessors

Sterijovski, B.

Arsovski, D.

Reviewers

Ajtic, R.

Contributors

/

Facilitators

Hofman, M.P.G.

Justification

The European Glass Lizard exhibits very limited area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) in North Macedonia (40km2 and 305km2, respectively), based in fewer than five locations, where it has been suffering habitat loss due to the spread of agricultural practices and wildfires. Nevertheless, this large and vigorous lizard can likely benefit from rescue effects from Greek and Bulgarian populations, downlisting its assessment to the Vulnerable category. Globally/in Europe, this species has been assessed as Least Concern.

Population

Current population trend

Decreasing

Description

In North Macedonia the population size is not accurately determined. Where present seemingly quite common. Populations in the country are at the edge of the distribution range of the species, and thus likely less dense and decreasing under threats such as habitat degradation and road mortality.

Habitat and Ecology

System

Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology

Often in fairly dry stony habitats with plenty of vegetation cover such as rocky pastures, olive groves, open woods, roadsides and dry-stone walls. Mating occurs in April and May and females lay six to 12 eggs (Speybroeck et al. 2016).

Use and trade

Use and trade

There is no known use of or trade in this species.

Threats

Threats

Habitat destruction due to intensified agricultural practices and wildfires pose serious threats to this species. It often falls victim to road mortality. Easily confused with snakes and under human persecution.

Conservation actions

Conservation actions

It is listed on Annex II of the Bern Convention and on Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive. Nationally, it is on the list of protected wild species

Bibliography

Bibliography

Sillero, N., Campos, J., Bonardi, A., Corti, C., Creemers, R., Crochet, P.-A., Crnobrnja-Isailović, J., Denoël, M., Ficetola, G.F., Gonçalves, J., Kuzmin, S., Lymberakis, P., de Pous, P., Rodríguez, A., Sindaco, R., Speybroeck, J., Toxopeus, B., Vieites, D.R., Vences, M. 2014. Updated distribution and biogeography of amphibians and reptiles of Europe. .p 1-31.

Speybroeck, J., Beukema, W., Bok, B., and van der Woort, J. 2016. Field Guide to the Amphibians & Reptiles of Britain and Europe. Bloomsbury London . .p/.

Particip. 2017.. ‘Strengthening the capacities for implementation of NATURA 2000’. MoEPP. Skopje
Sterijovski, B., Tomović, L., Ajtić, R .2014. Contribution to the knowledge of the Reptile fauna and diversity in FYR of Macedonia. .p 83–92.

Uhrin et al. 2016. Distribution updates to amphibian and reptile fauna for the Republic of Macedonia. .p 201-220.

Gasc, J-P., Cabela, A., Crnobrnja-Isailović, J., Dolmen, D., Grossenbacher, K., Haffner, P., Lescure, J., Martens, H., Martinez-Rica, J.P., Maurin, H., Oliveira, M.L., Sofianidou, T.S., Veith, M., Zuiderwijk, A. 1997. Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Europe. Societas Europaea Herpetologica & Museum Nationall d’ Histoire Naturelle (IEGB/SPN). Paris. .p 496.