New Reptile Species Discovered on Greek Island Despotiko in Groundbreaking Findings

In an exciting scientific discovery, a team of researchers has uncovered two previously unrecorded species of reptiles on Despotiko, an uninhabited island in the Aegean Sea, marking a significant breakthrough in the study of Greek fauna.

The findings, published on April 3 in the peer-reviewed journal Herpetozoa, come after several visits to the island in June 2024, aimed at exploring the island’s reptile and amphibian populations.

While many visitors to Despotiko typically come to marvel at its ancient ruins or observe grazing goats, a group of scientists had a different goal in mind: to uncover the hidden reptile life on the island. Although the Aegean Islands are known as hotspots for reptile species, Despotiko had remained relatively unexplored in terms of its animal life, particularly reptiles. Previous records from the 1970s only identified five species of reptiles, and most of the island’s fauna remained a mystery.

The research team, which included scientists Jennifer Rose Poole, Joshua Smith, Thomas Hesselberg, and Panayiotis Pafilis, carefully surveyed the island, flipping rocks and speaking with archaeologists who frequently visit the site. Their systematic approach paid off, as they made two significant new reptile discoveries.

The first new find was the javelin sand boa (Eryx jaculus), which had been reported by archaeologists in 2019 but had never been officially recorded on Despotiko. The snake, typically elusive due to its cryptic behaviour, was spotted curled under a white rock. The researchers noted that reptiles in Greece often use archaeological sites for hibernation, making encounters common during excavations in the spring.

The second discovery was the Cycladic green lizard (Lacerta citrovittata), also known as the Tinos green lizard. Two of these large, colourful lizards were found during the survey, with additional sightings reported from within the island’s archaeological site. This new record adds to the growing knowledge of reptile diversity in the region.

In addition to these new species, the team also documented the presence of geckos, skinks, and several other snakes and lizards. Interestingly, the archaeological site on Despotiko showed greater reptile diversity than the areas outside of it. However, no amphibians were found during the study.

“This research enhances our understanding of the reptilian diversity in the Aegean archipelago,” said the researchers, who emphasized that these findings offer valuable insights into the often-overlooked wildlife of the region.

Despotiko, located off the southeastern coast of mainland Greece, lies roughly halfway between Greece and Turkey. Its remote and untouched nature makes it an ideal location for further scientific exploration. These discoveries mark a major step forward in the study of Greece’s diverse ecosystems, shedding light on the hidden life that thrives in the less-explored corners of the Aegean.

The study not only highlights the importance of continued ecological research in Greece but also reinforces the need for conservation efforts to protect the delicate biodiversity of the country’s numerous islands.

(Source: Miami Herald/Herpetezoa)