Lizard Watch – How you can help

10 June 2008

​​​As part of new research we are asking Islanders to assist with a new lizard survey. Part of the research involves collecting tissue samples from lizards found on the Island. We are collecting any dead wall lizards, green lizards and slow worms across the Island. We want to use these dead specimens to gain knowledge of their origins and cause of death. To do this we need as many samples as possible.  If you are able to collect any dead lizards you come across please notify us by phoning 441624 / 441600​ and follow the instructions given below;

Instructions for collection of dead lizards:

• Place the body in an air tight bag and tie it securely. The easiest and most hygienic way to do this is to put your hand inside the bag to grab the body as if you were using a plastic glove. Then, by turning the bag inside out the animal will end up in the bag.
• Place this closed bag in a second bag and include a note with the following information:
  • contact name and phone number or e-mail;
  • location where body was found (address or street name, for instance);
  • details on the circumstances it was found. For example: brought in by cat, found dead by side of road or public foot path.
• Only put bodies from the same location in one bag.
• Close the second bag and keep it the freezer until it is collected or dropped off.

If you have or have had in previous years any wall lizards, green lizards or slow worms in your garden or local area, please fill in a JARG Species recording form. Forms are available at the Environment Department.

Without your help we could not carry out this important research study of Jersey’s lizards. We appreciate your help and assistance.
For information contact Nick Channing at the Environment Department, States of Jersey, Howard Davis Farm, Jersey, JE3 5JP, Tel: 441624, Fax: 441601.​​

Research into phylogeography and conservation of Jersey ’s Wall Lizards Podarcis muralis

Wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) on the island of Jersey are near the northern limit of their geographical range. Wall lizards have a wide distribution in continental Europe, occurring almost throughout France, Italy and northern Spain. The Jersey population of wall lizards is typical of other northern European localities in that the species is generally restricted to old fortifications and castle walls, creating small, isolated populations. These lizard populations are fully protected under the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000.

Issues surrounding the origins of the Jersey wall lizard are contentious and uncertain. The lizards live in relatively small, fragmented populations and the structure of their populations/sub-populations is unclear. In order to assign conservation priorities and address the conservation needs of these Jersey lizard populations, it is important to clarify their (possibly separate) origins, asses their total distribution in Jersey and investigate the viability of their populations.

This research project integrates current fieldwork that the States of Jersey Environment Department already carries out each year. The research will asses the levels of genetic diversity in the Jersey populations and compares these to levels of diversity in other populations in Europe, including those from the UK, France and Switzerland. The research will allow decisions to be made regarding the species ongoing conservation and management in Jersey.

​Aims of the research include:

• Carry out a genetic survey of lizard populations on Jersey to determine levels of genetic diversity.
  
• Investigate genetic variation between island populations compared with mainland Europe populations using microsatellite markers.
  
• Determine distribution patterns and structure of populations.
  
• Establis​h which combinations of landscape variables are important predictors of distribution and abundance determining linkage, corridors and migration.  
  

This project is being carried out under the direction and supervision of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent, and is being funded by the Jersey Ecology Fund and States of Jersey. This study builds upon previous research on the Jersey herpetofauna that has received considerable international exposure and provides an excellent model for demonstrating how applied molecular ecology and conservation genetic research can feed directly into conservation management.