DISTRIBUTION OF SCHREIBER GREEN LIZARD (LACERTA-SCHREIBERI) IN PORTUGAL - A PREDICTIVE MODEL

The geographic distribution of the endemic Iberian lizard Lacerta schr eiberi in Portugal was determined through extensive field surveys. Sub sequently, a logistic regression model which predicts the probability of occurrence, based on environmental variables, was developed. We fou nd that L. schreiberi is more widely distributed than previously thoug ht, through most of central/northern Portugal, including the coastal z one and extending into low altitude zones. New isolated populations we re also detected and the area occupied by three previously known south ern isolates was enlarged. The model indicates that the distribution o f L. schreiberi is largely explained by environmental parameters such as insolation, evapotranspiration, rain, humidity and soil-drainage. V alues of probability of occurrence greater than 0.50, as determined by our model, correspond with the actual presence of the species.