Hi Michael,
Podarcis vaucheri occupies western Andalucia (except the northern Sierra Morena parts) and used to be a part of Podarcis hispanicus s.l. Males often have vivid green backs. Note that vaucheri does not co-occur with other hispanicus morphs (or actually: incipient species). In contrast to carbonelli (which is more of a habitat specialist), vaucheri is quite common and widespread. 

Thanks Jeroen

That's very helpful. 

Hi Jeroen,

Does this mean that only Podarcis vaucheri is found in Western Andalucia, or does P. carbonelli or P. hispanica occur there atall? Also, is P. vaucheri the species occurring on Gibraltar, where I remember seeing many green backed animals some years ago? Apart from the green colouration is there any other diagnostic features of P. vaucheri?

Many Thanks for your help. I have visited western Andalucia a number of times, but never been quite sure which species I was looking at!

Mike Brown 

Hi Jeroen,

Does this mean that only Podarcis vaucheri is found in Western Andalucia, or does P. carbonelli or P. hispanica occur there atall? Also, is P. vaucheri the species occurring on Gibraltar, where I remember seeing many green backed animals some years ago? Apart from the green colouration is there any other diagnostic features of P. vaucheri?

Many Thanks for your help. I have visited western Andalucia a number of times, but never been quite sure which species I was looking at!

Mike Brown 

Brigit & Peter Oefinger's website has a great page that will help you with the Spanish Podarcis:
http://www.bpo-natura.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=136&Itemid=476 

Thats a great map. Thanks. 

I think Liam largely answered Mike's questions as well. Note that this map is merely indicative. The white areas are of course not "lizardless", but are likely transition and/or hybrid zones.

I believe it is important to note that Geniez et al. (2007) consider the "Galera type" of Pinho et al. (2006) to rather represent typical P. hispanicus s.s., than what Pinho et al. (2006) consider to be P.h. sensu stricto. 

Many Thanks for that Liam and Jeroen.

Cheers

Mike