Vertebrate Fauna In Termite Mounds Compared To Surrounding Vegetation On Barrow Island.

Abstract

Scant information is available on the value of termitaria for supporting vertebrate fauna in Australia, or how the diversity and abundance of vertebrates using termitaria compares to the surrounding habitat. There was an opportunity to dismantle 407 large termitaria during approved land-clearing activities on Barrow Island, Western Australia. Following the dismantling of each mound and thorough searches, we found that herpetofauna were the predominant species to utilise termitaria (26 species), with small mammals (four species) also occupying mounds, although less frequently. While species diversity was higher in the surrounding vegetated matrix sampled (41 reptiles, six mammals, one amphibian species), no unique species were found in termitaria. However, four reptile species (Heteronotia binoei, Gehyra pilbara, Antaresia stimsoni, Morethia ruficauda exquisita) were found more frequently in termitaria. This information supports the recognition of large termitaria as useful habitat and potential refugia for a diversity of species, and improves our understanding that these large structures should be afforded special consideration for relocating vertebrates during land clearing exercises elsewhere.