Aeolian wall lizard
# Aeolian wall lizard

The Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei), also known commonly as Raffone's wall lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Italy.

## Etymology

The specific name, raffonei or raffoneae, is in honor of Dr. Antonia Raffone, wife of Dr. Antonino Trischitta. Dr. Trischitta was the collector of the holotype.

## Habitat

The natural habitats of P. raffonei are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation and rocky shores.

## Geographic range

There are only four locations hosting P. raffonei, all of them in the Aeolian Islands: the island of Strombolicchio, a small islet off the coast of the nearby island of Salina, another off the coast of the island of Filicudi, and some areas of Vulcano.

## Conservation status

The overall population of P. raffonei is around one thousand specimens distributed on a surface not bigger than 20,000 $m^2$ (.008 $mi^2).$ It is believed that once this rare lizard inhabited a larger area, but the competition with the very common Italian wall lizard, introduced by man, reduced its distribution to a smaller area.

