Register      Login
Australian Journal of Zoology Australian Journal of Zoology Society
Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Weight watching in burrows: variation in body condition in pygmy bluetongue lizards

Leili Shamiminoori A B , Aaron L. Fenner A and C. Michael Bull A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

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

B Corresponding author. Email: sham1012@flinders.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 62(4) 284-293 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO13072
Submitted: 2 September 2013  Accepted: 31 July 2014   Published: 26 August 2014

Abstract

The pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis, is an endangered scincid lizard that occurs in remnants of natural grasslands in the mid-north of South Australia. We assessed the factors affecting body condition of male and female lizards, using body size residuals as an index, over five sampling years. We included sex, phenotypic (patterned or plain morphs), temporal (sampling year and activity period within year), and climatic factors in our analyses. The results indicated that sampling year and activity period within the year were the two most important factors influencing variation in body condition of both male and female lizards over the period of the study. There were similar trends when we considered males and females separately. However, when prepartum and postpartum females were analysed separately, sampling year did not affect their body condition. None of the analyses showed any significant effect of phenotype on body condition. Winter–spring rainfall was positively correlated with body condition of females in the prepartum period, but showed no significant effect on mean body condition of any other grouping of adult lizards, nor a consistent direction of correlation among the different subsets of adult lizards that we considered. The substantial annual variations in the body condition of lizards, although of uncertain cause, provide important information for conservation managers who monitor persisting populations of this endangered species.


References

Aubret, F., and Shine, R. (2010). Thermal plasticity in young snakes: how will climate change affect the thermoregulatory tactics of ectotherms? The Journal of Experimental Biology 213, 242–248.
Thermal plasticity in young snakes: how will climate change affect the thermoregulatory tactics of ectotherms?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1Mfksl2jtw%3D%3D&md5=7f2926326eea41457ee9d0134f2e75c5CAS | 20038657PubMed |

Aubret, F., Bonnet, X., Shine, R., and Lourdais, O. (2002). Fat is sexy for females but not males: the influence of body reserves on reproduction in snakes (Vipera aspis). Hormones and Behavior 42, 135–147.
Fat is sexy for females but not males: the influence of body reserves on reproduction in snakes (Vipera aspis).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12367567PubMed |

Blackwell, G. L. (2002). A potential multivariate index of condition for small mammals. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 29, 195–203.
A potential multivariate index of condition for small mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Boersma, P. D. (1998). Population trends of the galapagos penguins: impacts of El Nino and La Nina. The Condor 100, 245–253.
Population trends of the galapagos penguins: impacts of El Nino and La Nina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bonnet, X., and Naulleau, G. (1994). Use of a body condition index (BCI) for the study of the reproduction in snakes. Compte rendus de l’Academie des Sciences III 317, 34–41.
| 1:STN:280:DyaK2M%2FnvFamsA%3D%3D&md5=81c7afd9f3e54598b8dc6f5aaec72e8dCAS |

Bradshaw, C. J. A., Davis, L. S., Lalas, C., and Harcourt, R. G. (2000). Geographic and temporal variation in the condition of pups of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus foresteri): evidence for density dependence and differences in the marine environment. Journal of Zoology 252, 41–51.
Geographic and temporal variation in the condition of pups of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus foresteri): evidence for density dependence and differences in the marine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Brown, G. P., and Shine, R. (2007). Rain, prey and predators: climatically driven shifts in frog abundance modify reproductive allometry in a tropical snake. Oecologia 154, 361–368.
Rain, prey and predators: climatically driven shifts in frog abundance modify reproductive allometry in a tropical snake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17724615PubMed |

Burnham, K. P., and Anderson, D. R. (2002). ‘Model Selection and Multimodel Inference.’ 2nd edn. (Springer: New York.)

Carter, S. I. (1997). ‘The Habitat Ecology of Bog Turtles (Clemmys muhlenbergii) in Southwestern Virginia.’ (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: Blacksburg, VA.)

Cattet, M. R. L., Caulkett, N. A., Obbard, M. E., and Stenhouse, G. B. (2002). A body condition index for ursids. Canadian Journal of Zoology 80, 1156–1161.
A body condition index for ursids.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chamaille-Jammes, S., Massot, M., Aragon, P., and Clobert, J. (2006). Global warming and positive fitness response in mountain populations of common lizards Lacerta vivipara. Global Change Biology 12, 392–402.
Global warming and positive fitness response in mountain populations of common lizards Lacerta vivipara.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Coates, P. S., Wylie, G. D., Halstead, B. J., and Casazza, M. L. (2009). Using time-dependent models to investigate body condition and growth rate of the giant gartersnake. Journal of Zoology 279, 285–293.
Using time-dependent models to investigate body condition and growth rate of the giant gartersnake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Connolly, J. D., and Cree, A. (2008). Risks of late start to captive management for conservation: phenotypic differences between wild and captive individuals of a viviparous endangered skink (Oligosoma otagense). Biological Conservation 141, 1283–1292.
Risks of late start to captive management for conservation: phenotypic differences between wild and captive individuals of a viviparous endangered skink (Oligosoma otagense).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cox, R. M., Butler, M. A., and John-Alder, H. B. (2007). The evolution of sexual size dimorphism in reptiles. In ‘Sex, Size, and Gender Roles: Evolutionary Studies of Sexual Size Dimorphism.’. (Eds D. J. Fairbarin, W. U. Blanckenhorn and T. Szekely.) pp. 38–49. (Oxford University: Oxford)

Dubiec, A., and Cichon, M. (2001). Seasonal decline in health status of great tit (Parus major) nestlings. Canadian Journal of Zoology 79, 1829–1833.
Seasonal decline in health status of great tit (Parus major) nestlings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fellows, H. L., Fenner, A. L., and Bull, C. M. (2009). Spiders provide important resources for an endangered lizard. Journal of Zoology 279, 156–163.

Fenner, A. L. (2009). The biology, ecology and social structuring of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis: considerations for long term conservation. Ph.D. Thesis., Flinders Unversity, Adelaide.

Fenner, A. L., and Bull, C. M. (2007). Short-term impact of grassland fire on the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard. Journal of Zoology 272, 444–450.
Short-term impact of grassland fire on the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fordham, D. A., Watts, M. J., Delean, S., Brook, B. W., Heard, L., and Bull, C. M. (2012). Managed relocation as an adaptation strategy for mitigating climate change threats to the persistence of an endangered lizard. Global Change Biology 18, 2743–2755.
Managed relocation as an adaptation strategy for mitigating climate change threats to the persistence of an endangered lizard.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24501053PubMed |

Forsman, A. (1995a). Opposing fitness consequences of colour pattern in male and female snakes. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 8, 53–70.
Opposing fitness consequences of colour pattern in male and female snakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Forsman, A. (1995b). Heating rates and body temperature variation in melanistic and zigzag Vipera berus: does colour make a difference? Annales Zoologici Fennici 32, 365–374.

Gates, D. M. (1980). ‘Biophysical Ecology.’ (Springer: New York.)

Godfrey, S. S., Moore, J. A., Nelson, N. J., and Bull, C. M. (2010). Unravelling causality from correlations: revealing the impacts of endemic ectoparasites on a protected species (tuatara). Parasitology 137, 275–286.
Unravelling causality from correlations: revealing the impacts of endemic ectoparasites on a protected species (tuatara).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19835646PubMed |

Green, A. J. (2001). Mass/length residuals: measures of body condition or generators of spurious results? Ecology 82, 1473–1483.
Mass/length residuals: measures of body condition or generators of spurious results?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hanson, P. J., and Weltzin, J. F. (2000). Drought disturbance from climate change: response of United States forests. Science of the Total Environment 262, 205–220.
Drought disturbance from climate change: response of United States forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXotleru74%3D&md5=6dc02528b9cb58ae0ace46389a7b3b13CAS | 11087027PubMed |

Hoare, J. M., Pledger, S., Keall, S. N., Nelson, N. J., Mitchell, N. J., and Daugherty, C. H. (2006). Conservation implications of a long-term decline in body condition of the Brothers Island tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri). Animal Conservation 9, 456–462.
Conservation implications of a long-term decline in body condition of the Brothers Island tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hutchinson, M. N., and Donnellan, S. C. (1992). Taxonomy and genetic variation in the Australian lizards of the genus Pseudemoia (Scincidae: Lygosominae). Journal of Natural History 26, 215–264.
Taxonomy and genetic variation in the Australian lizards of the genus Pseudemoia (Scincidae: Lygosominae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hutchinson, M. N., Milne, T., and Croft, T. (1994). Redescription and ecological notes on the pygmy bluetongue, Tiliqua adelaidensis (Squamata: Scincidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 118, 217–226.

Jakob, E. M., Marshall, S. D., and Uetz, G. W. (1996). Estimating fitness: a comparison of body condition indices. Oikos 77, 61–67.
Estimating fitness: a comparison of body condition indices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lebas, N. R., and Marshall, N. J. (2001). No evidence of female choice for a condition-dependent trait in the agamid lizard, Ctenophorus ornatus. Behaviour 138, 965–980.
No evidence of female choice for a condition-dependent trait in the agamid lizard, Ctenophorus ornatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Loehr, V. J. T., Henen, B. T., and Hofmeyr, M. D. (2004). Reproduction of the smallest tortoise, the Namaqualand speckled padloper, Homopus signatus signatus. Herpetologica 60, 444–454.
Reproduction of the smallest tortoise, the Namaqualand speckled padloper, Homopus signatus signatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Loehr, V. J. T., Hofmeyr, M. D., and Henen, B. T. (2007). Annual variation in the body condition of a small, arid-zone tortoise, Homopus signatus signatus. Journal of Arid Environments 71, 337–349.
Annual variation in the body condition of a small, arid-zone tortoise, Homopus signatus signatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lourdais, O., Shine, R., Bonnet, X., Guillon, M., and Naulleau, G. (2004). Climate affects embryonic development in a viviparous snake, Vipera aspis. Oikos 104, 551–560.
Climate affects embryonic development in a viviparous snake, Vipera aspis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Madsen, T., and Shine, R. (2002). Short and chubby or long and slim? Food intake, growth and body condition in free-ranging pythons. Austral Ecology 27, 672–680.
Short and chubby or long and slim? Food intake, growth and body condition in free-ranging pythons.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Milne, T. (1999). Conservation and ecology of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Ph.D. Thesis, Flinders University, Adelaide.

Milne, T., Bull, C. M., and Hutchinson, M. N. (2003). Use of burrows by the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Wildlife Research 30, 523–528.
Use of burrows by the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nagy, K. A., and Bradshaw, S. D. (1995). Energetics, osmoregulation, and food consumption by free-living desert lizards, Ctenophorus (= Amphibolurus) nuchalis. Amphibia-Reptilia 16, 25–35.
Energetics, osmoregulation, and food consumption by free-living desert lizards, Ctenophorus (= Amphibolurus) nuchalis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nagy, K. A., Henen, B. T., Vyas, D. B., and Wallis, I. R. (2002). A condition index for the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4, 425–429.

Naulleau, G., and Bonnet, X. (1996). Body condition threshold for breeding in a viviparous snake. Oecologia 107, 301–306.
Body condition threshold for breeding in a viviparous snake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Olsson, M., Madsen, T., and Shine, R. (1997). Is sperm really so cheap? Costs of reproduction in male adders, Vipera berus. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 264, 455–459.
Is sperm really so cheap? Costs of reproduction in male adders, Vipera berus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Peig, J., and Green, A. J. (2010). The paradigm of body condition: a critical reappraisal of current methods based on mass and length. Functional Ecology 24, 1323–1332.
The paradigm of body condition: a critical reappraisal of current methods based on mass and length.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rosen, D. A., and Trites, A. W. (2000). Pollock and the decline of Steller sea lions: testing the junk food hypothesis. Canadian Journal of Zoology 78, 1243–1250.
Pollock and the decline of Steller sea lions: testing the junk food hypothesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sarre, S., Dearn, J. M., and Georges, A. (1994). The application of fluctuating asymmetry in the monitoring of animal populations. Pacific Conservation Biology 1, 118–122.

Schulte-Hostedde, A. I., Zinner, B., Millar, J. S., and Hickling, G. J. (2005). Restitution of mass–size residulas: validating body condition indices. Ecology 86, 155–163.
Restitution of mass–size residulas: validating body condition indices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Shine, R. (2005). Life-history evolution in reptiles. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 36, 23–46.
Life-history evolution in reptiles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Shine, R., LeMaster, M. P., Moore, I. T., Olsson, M. M., and Mason, R. T. (2001). Bumpus in the snake den: effects of sex, size, and body condition on morality of red-sided garter snakes. Evolution 55, 598–604.
Bumpus in the snake den: effects of sex, size, and body condition on morality of red-sided garter snakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MrlvV2rtg%3D%3D&md5=d9c0ba38f97e4b36d9db3399aa9429f9CAS | 11327166PubMed |

Simbotwe, M. P. (1985). Sexual dimorphism and reproduction of Lampropholis guichenoti (Lacertilia: Scincidae). In ‘The Biology of Australian Frogs and Reptiles’. (Eds G. Grigg, R. Shine and H. Ehmann.) pp. 11–16. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Souter, N. J. (2003). Habitat requirements and conservation of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Ph.D. Thesis, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide.

Stevenson, R.D., and Woods, J. W. A. (2006). Condition indices for conservation: new uses for evolving tools. Integrative and Comparative Biology 46, 1169–1190.
Condition indices for conservation: new uses for evolving tools.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MngsFCgtA%3D%3D&md5=55693aa0445032d6354e406e1466a6a5CAS | 21672816PubMed |

Strong, D., Leatherman, B., and Brattstrom, B. H. (1993). Two new simple methods for catching small fast lizards. Herpetological Review 24, 22–23.

Vitousek, M. (2009). Investment in mate choice depends on resource availability in female Galápagos marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 64, 105–113.
Investment in mate choice depends on resource availability in female Galápagos marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wapstra, E. (2000). Maternal basking opportunity affects juvenile phenotype in a viviparous lizard. Functional Ecology 14, 345–352.
Maternal basking opportunity affects juvenile phenotype in a viviparous lizard.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Waye, H. L., and Mason, R. T. (2008). A combination of body condition measurements is more informative than conventional condition indices: temporal variation in body condition and corticosterone in brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) . General and Comparative Endocrinology 155, 607–612.
A combination of body condition measurements is more informative than conventional condition indices: temporal variation in body condition and corticosterone in brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) .Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhslOitLs%3D&md5=6c74c99d5e4c41161ed15b7c235b5c46CAS | 17897644PubMed |

Whiteman, N. K., and Parker, P. G. (2004). Body condition and parasite load predict territory ownership in the Galapagos hawk. The Condor 106, 915–921.
Body condition and parasite load predict territory ownership in the Galapagos hawk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |