Register      Login
Wildlife Research Wildlife Research Society
Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > WR > WR07103
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 35(2)

Injuries to lizards: conservation implications for the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis)

Aaron L. Fenner A C , C. Michael Bull A and Mark N. Hutchinson B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

B South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: aaron.fenner@flinders.edu.au

Wildlife Research 35(2) 158-161 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR07103
Submitted: 27 July 2007  Accepted: 18 February 2008   Published: 21 April 2008

Abstract

Understanding the potential threats of predation can play a crucial role in conservation management of threatened species. We investigated the frequency of sublethal injuries to live individuals of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis). We found that there was no significant difference in the frequency of injury between males and females. However, there was a significant difference in injury frequency between adults and subadult animals and also between two close, but isolated, populations of pygmy bluetongue lizards. These data can be used, with caution, to understand the predation risks in natural populations of this species. They also suggest that predation would be a significant hazard that must be considered in any translocation program that is considered for this species.


Acknowledgements

This research was supported by funds from the Australian Research Council and the Nature Foundation of South Australia. We thank members of the Northern and Yorke Regional Office of the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage, and particularly Julie Schofield for logistic support and help in the field, and the landholders, Chris and Maria Reed, for access to their property. The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Flinders University Animal Welfare Committee in compliance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Use of Animals for Scientific Welfare Committee permit no. E205.


References

Armstrong, G. , and Reid, J. (1992). The rediscovery of the Adelaide pygmy bluetongue Tiliqua adelaidensis (Peters, 1863). Herpetofauna 22, 3–6.
Arnold E. N. (1988). ‘Caudal Autotomy as a Defense.’ (Alan R. Liss, Inc.: New York.)

Blumstein, D. T. , Daniel, J. C. , and Bryant, A. A. (2001). Anti-predator behavior of Vancouver island marmots: using congeners to evaluate abilities of a critically endangered mammal. Ethology 107, 1–14.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Cogger H. G. (1992). ‘Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia.’ 5th edn. (Reed Books: Sydney.)

Ehmann, H. (1982). The natural history and conservation status of the Adelaide pygmy bluetongue Tiliqua adelaidensis. Herpetofauna 14, 61–76.
Fitch H. S. (1999). ‘A Kansas Snake Community: Composition and Changes over 50 Years.’ (Krieger Publishing Co.: Malabar, FL.)

Fitch, H. S. (2003). Tail loss in garter snakes. Herpetological Review 34, 212–213.
Milne T. (1999). Conservation and the ecology of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Ph.D. Thesis, The Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide.

Milne, T. , and Bull, C. M. (2000). Burrow choice by individuals of different sizes in the endangered pygmy blue tongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Biological Conservation 95, 295–301.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Shea G. M. (1992). The systematics and reproduction of bluetongue lizards of the genus Tiliqua (Squamata: Scincidae). Ph.D. Thesis, University of Sydney.

Sinclair, A. R. E. , Pech, R. P. , Dickman, C. R. , Hik, D. , Mahon, P. , and Newsome, A. E. (1998). Predicting effects of predation on conservation of endangered prey. Conservation Biology 12, 564–575.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Souter, N. J. , Bull, C. M. , Lethbridge, M. R. , and Hutchinson, M. N. (2007). Habitat requirements of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis. Biological Conservation 135, 33–45.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vinegar, M. B. (1975). Comparative agression in Sceloporus virgatus, S. undulatus consobrinus and S. u. tristichus (Sauria: Iguanidae). Animal Behaviour 23, 279–286.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Vitt, L. J. , Congdon, J. D. , and Dickson, N. A. (1977). Adaptive strategies and energetics of tail autotomy in lizards. Ecology 58, 326–337.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vitt, L. J. , Congdon, J. D. , Hulse, A. C. , and Platz, J. E. (1974). Territorial aggressive encounters and tail breaks in the lizard Sceloporous magister. Copeia 1974, 990–993.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Willis, L. , Threlkeld, S. T. , and Carpenter, C. C. (1982). Tail loss patterns in Thamnophis (Reptilia: Colubridae) and the probable fate of individuals. Copeia 1982, 98–101.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |