Komodo dragon collision between Australia and Southeast Asia allowed these larger varanids to move back into what is now the Indonesian archipelago, extending their range as far east as the island of Timor. The Komodo dragon was believed to have differentiated from its Australian ancestors 4 million years ago. However, recent fossil evidence from Queensland suggests the Komodo dragon actually evolved in Australia before spreading to Indonesia. Dramatic lowering of sea level during the last glacial period uncovered extensive stretches of continental shelf that the Komodo dragon colonised, becoming isolated in their present island range as sea levels rose afterwards. Extinct Pliocene
Filfola lizard Dwejra Heritage Park Gozo pgs.28-33. Dwejra Management Board. SCIBERRAS, A. & SCHEMBRI,P.J. (2008) Conservation Status of St Paul`s Island Wall Lizard (Podarcis filfolensis kieselbachi).Herpetological Bulletin-Number 105 pgs.28-34. Filfola lizard The filfola lizard or Maltese wall lizard ("Podarcis filfolensis") is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family. It is found in Italy (in the Pelagian Islands) and in the island group of Malta. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, rocky shores, arable land, pastureland, and rural gardens. In the Maltese Islands, there are four subspecies of the Maltese Wall Lizard. All four subspecies are endemic to the