Journal articles: 'Australian lizards'

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Maclaine, Alicia, Wytamma T. Wirth, Donald T. McKnight, Graham W. Burgess, and Ellen Ariel. "Ranaviruses in captive and wild Australian lizards." FACETS 5, no. 1 (January 1, 2020): 758–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/facets-2020-0011.

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Ranaviral infections have been associated with mass mortality events in captive and wild amphibian, fish, and reptile populations globally. In Australia, two distinct types of ranaviruses have been isolated: epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus in fish and a Frog virus 3-like ranavirus in amphibians. Experimental studies and serum surveys have demonstrated that several Australian native fish, amphibian, and reptile species are susceptible to infection and supported the theory that ranavirus is naturally circulating in Australian herpetofauna. However, ranaviral infections have not been detected in captive or wild lizards in Australia. Oral-cloacal swabs were collected from 42 wild lizards from northern Queensland and 83 captive lizards from private collections held across three states/territories. Samples were tested for ranaviral DNA using a quantitative PCR assay. This assay detected ranaviral DNA in 30/83 (36.1%) captive and 33/42 (78.6%) wild lizard samples. This is the first time molecular evidence of ranavirus has been reported in Australian lizards.

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Costa, G. C., G. R. Colli, and R. Constantino. "Can lizard richness be driven by termite diversity? Insights from the Brazilian Cerrado." Canadian Journal of Zoology 86, no. 1 (January 2008): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z07-107.

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We test predictions of the Morton and James hypothesis, which states that high termite diversity promotes high lizard diversity. We explore consumption of termites by lizards in the Brazilian Cerrado, a system that shares many similarites with arid Australia whose fauna formed the basis for the original hypothesis. We found that Cerrado lizards prey heavily on termites. Several species had >40% of their diet consisting of termites, some species reached up to 80%. However, lizards prey on termites independently of their diversity in the environment and do not show niche segregation in relation to termite resource. Hence, our results in the Cerrado do not support the hypothesis that termite diversity can promote lizard diversity. The diets of Cerrado lizards have a high proportion of termites; however, the diets of desert lizards from the Australian and the Kalahari deserts have a much higher proportion of termites when compared with those from the Cerrado and the Amazon. Differences in termite consumption by lizards across ecosystems do not seem to be related to local termite diversity. We hypothesize that overall prey availability can explain this pattern. Several arthropod groups are abundant in the Cerrado and the Amazon. In deserts, other prey types may be less abundant; therefore, termites may be the best available resource.

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Arena, Derrick A., Michael Archer, Henk Godthelp, Suzanne J. Hand, and Scott Hocknull. "Hammer-toothed ‘marsupial skinks' from the Australian Cenozoic." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 278, no. 1724 (April 20, 2011): 3529–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2011.0486.

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Extinct species of Malleodectes gen. nov. from Middle to Late Miocene deposits of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, northwestern Queensland, Australia are enigmatic, highly specialized, probably snail-eating marsupials. Dentally, they closely resemble a bizarre group of living heterodont, wet forest scincid lizards from Australia ( Cyclodomorphus ) that may well have outcompeted them as snail-eaters when the closed forests of central Australia began to decline. Although there are scincids known from the same Miocene deposits at Riversleigh, these are relatively plesiomorphic, generalized feeders. This appears to be the most striking example known of dental convergence and possible competition between a mammal and a lizard, which in the long run worked out better for the lizards.

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Ebrahimi, Mehregan, Stephanie S. Godfrey, Aaron L. Fenner, and C. Michael Bull. "Mating behaviour in pygmy bluetongue lizards: do females ‘attract' male lizards?" Australian Journal of Zoology 62, no. 6 (2014): 491. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo14055.

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Mating behaviour in lizards has been well studied, with most reports indicating that the male dominates in initiating the mating, characteristically displaying visually to attract partners. This strategy may be less successful in secretive species that remain in small areas around their refuge, infrequently encountering other conspecifics, like the endangered Australian pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis). Adult lizards of this species spend most of their time in or at the entrance of single-entrance vertical burrows, built by spiders, in patches of native grassland in South Australia. We filmed the behaviour of nine female lizards for 10 days in each month from October 2011 to February 2012. During filming in October, the austral spring, we observed 43 cases of females making moves away from their burrows, and back along the same path, in that month, that we did not observe among males, or among females in any other month. We observed 27 cases of males approaching female burrows, only in October and mostly along the paths previously taken by the females. Males attempted to mate, and were successful on five occasions. We describe the female movements and suggest that their function is to attract male mating partners.

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Price-Rees, Samantha J., Gregory P. Brown, and Richard Shine. "Predation on toxic cane toads (Bufo marinus) may imperil bluetongue lizards (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia, Scincidae) in tropical Australia." Wildlife Research 37, no. 2 (2010): 166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr09170.

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Context. Detecting ecological impacts of invasive species can be extremely difficult. Even major population declines may be undetectable without extensive long-term data if the affected taxon is rare and/or difficult to census, and exhibits stochastic variation in abundance as a result of other factors. Our data suggest such a situation in an iconic Australian reptile species, the bluetongue lizard. Originally restricted to Central and South America, cane toads (Bufo marinus) are rapidly spreading through tropical Australia. Most native predators have no evolutionary history of exposure to the toads’ distinctive chemical defences (bufadienolides), and many varanid lizards, elapid snakes, crocodiles and marsupials have been killed when they have attempted to consume toads. Aims. Scincid lizards have not been considered vulnerable to toad invasion; however, one lineage (the bluetongues, genus Tiliqua) consists of large omnivores that may be affected. Our field and laboratory research aimed to elucidate this concern. Methods. Nightly surveys for bluetongue lizards (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) and cane toads were conducted along two adjacent roadways on the Adelaide River floodplain of the Northern Territory. Scent discrimination trials in the laboratory assessed lizard responses to chemical cues from three food types (native frogs, cane toads and ‘preferred foods’) by counting tongue-flicks and biting elicited by cotton swabs. A subset of lizards was presented with live toads. Key results. Numbers of bluetongues encountered during standardised field surveys in the Darwin region declined soon after toads arrived, and we have not recorded a single lizard for the last 20 months. In the laboratory, foraging responses of bluetongues were as intense to cane-toad scent as to the scent of native frogs, and many of the lizards we tested attempted to consume toads, and were poisoned as a result. Conclusions and implications. The population decline of bluetongues in this region appears to have been the direct result of fatal ingestion of toxic cane toads. Our studies thus add a scincid lizard species to the list of native Australian predators imperilled by cane-toad invasion, and point to the difficulty of detecting invader impact even for an iconic species in a system subject to detailed survey work.

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Christian, KA, and KE Conley. "Activity and Resting Metabolism of Varanid Lizards Compared With Typical Lizards." Australian Journal of Zoology 42, no. 2 (1994): 185. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9940185.

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We examined whether Australian varanids as a group are more aerobic than other lizards. The standard metabolic rate (SMR) and maximal oxygen consumption (V-O2max) were measured for four species of varanid lizards and the skink Tiliqua rugosa at 35 degrees C. These were compared to each other and to the V-O2max of the iguanid lizard Cyclura nubila by analysis of covariance with body mass as a covariate. There were no differences with respect to SMR, but the V-O2max of the lizards fell into three groups: Varanus rosenbergi, V. gouldii and V. panoptes had higher aerobic capacities than V. mertensi and Cyclura nubila, and Tiliqua rugosa had a V-O2max lower than the other species. There is no simple relationship between V-O2max and the time these lizards spend in natural activity. The summer SMRs of V. rosenbergi and T. rugosa were significantly higher than during other seasons. The V-O2max of V. rosenbergi was higher in summer than in other seasons, but T. rugosa showed no seasonal differences in V-O2max. These results indicate that the SMRs of the varanids were similar to those of other lizards, and, despite generalisations in the literature, not all varanid lizards have high aerobic capacities. Varanid lizards may be as physiologically diverse as other lizard families.

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Koenig, Jennifer, Richard Shine, and Glenn Shea. "The ecology of an Australian reptile icon: how do blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) survive in suburbia?" Wildlife Research 28, no. 3 (2001): 214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr00068.

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Although most species of large reptiles in the Sydney region are now restricted to remnant bushland, the blue-tongued lizard (Tiliqua scincoides) remains abundant. How has this large, slow-moving reptile managed to persist in the suburbs? We implanted radio-transmitters into 17 adult blue-tongued lizards and tracked them for six months (October 1998 to March 1999). Radio-tracked animals utilised 5–17 suburban backyards, but each lizard spent most of its time in a few ‘core’ areas near 2–7 shelter sites. Males had larger home ranges than females (mean of 12700 v. 5100 m 2 ) and moved further between shelter sites. Gravid females (mean home range 1000 m 2 ) were more sedentary. Lizards used corridors of dense vegetation to move between retreat sites, and actively avoided crossing roads. In sunny weather, lizards typically basked close to their overnight shelter for 1–4 h each morning until they obtained body temperatures of approximately 32°C. They maintained high body temperatures while moving about in the afternoon. In combination, the following ecological factors may facilitate persistence of blue-tongued lizards at our suburban study sites. (i) The most important subgroup of the population in terms of conservation are gravid females, which are highly sedentary and, thus, less likely to encounter the dangers of suburbia. (ii) The more ‘expendable’ males move about much more, but mostly in times and places that involve minimal risk from humans and their domestic pets. (iii) Lizards show strong site fidelity, spending up to 70% of their time in ‘safe’ locations; importantly, they avoid roads. (iv) Blue-tongued lizards readily utilise ‘artificial’ shelter sites and the commensal prey species (e.g. snails) found in most gardens. (v) These lizards can grow rapidly, mature early, and produce large litters. Because blue-tongued lizards have a long life span (over 30 years in captivity), populations of adults may persist for many years in the absence of recruitment.

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Fenner, Aaron L., Chris R. Pavey, and C. Michael Bull. "Behavioural observations and use of burrow systems by an endangered Australian arid-zone lizard, Slater's skink (Liopholis slateri)." Australian Journal of Zoology 60, no. 2 (2012): 127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo12047.

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The endangered Slater’s skink (Liopholis slateri) is restricted to the river floodplain habitat of central Australia. It is an obligate burrower and creates complex, multientrance burrow systems in the mound of soil that builds up around the base of some shrubs and small trees. We provide detailed information about the behaviour and use of the burrow systems by Slater’s skink. The behaviour of lizards remained consistent over the four months (October–January) of the study, and lizards performed almost all of their daily activities around their burrow/mound systems. Lizards also showed signs of sociality, as pairs of lizards were observed to share occupancy of single burrow systems over extended periods, and demonstrated a high level of tolerance to conspecifics. This study emphasises the importance of the burrow systems for the daily life of this lizard and suggests that conservation measures should focus on ensuring that the lizards have a reliable supply of stable and suitable burrows in their preferred habitat.

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Avery, Roger, and Roger Meek. "Basking in the Australian water dragon Physignathus lesueurii; why do alpha males not respond to operative temperatures in the same way as adults and sub-adults?" Amphibia-Reptilia 29, no. 2 (2008): 257–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853808784125009.

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Abstract Observations have been made on the behaviour of the Australian water dragon Physignathus lesueurii in southeast Australia. Physical models that explore the thermal environment at a similar spatial level as real lizards were related to ontogenetic changes in lizard behaviour. Current theory predicts that a heliotherm will bask in open locations to optimise heating rates in order to attain target body temperatures as quickly as possible. Movement to shaded or partially shaded areas then maintains thermal stability. Regression equations of basking intensity in relation to operative temperatures were employed to test this theory. The behaviour of adults, which were not alpha males, and sub adults was in agreement with the prediction, but the behaviour of alpha males was not: the regression coefficient did not differ significantly from 0. In general, sub adult lizards were more active and fed more often than larger lizards although this relationship changed with different times of the day. The results suggest differing costs for thermoregulation for different size classes, particularly in alpha males where territory defence has a key role.

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Chilton, NB, and CM Bull. "The on-Host Temperature Environment for 2 Australian Reptile Ticks." Australian Journal of Zoology 40, no. 6 (1992): 583. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9920583.

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The temperatures experienced by the ixodid ticks Amblyomma limbatum and Aponomma hydrosauri whilst attached to sleepy lizards, Tiliqua rugosa, were examined to determine whether differences in the body temperature of the host could explain (1) interspecific differences in the feeding and mating sites of ticks on hosts, and/or (2) the position of the tick parapatric boundary near the transition from mallee to non-mallee vegetation. Attached ticks were exposed to temperatures that were related to, but often higher than, ambient temperatures. Ground surface temperature was a better predictor of lizard body temperature than was air temperature. Mean body temperatures of lizards during winter were lower than those in spring, due to lower ambient temperatures, and were consistently below the threshold temperature required to induce mating in both tick species. Low temperature can also explain the cessation of feeding by larval and nymphal ticks on hosts during winter. The selection of feeding and mating sites by ticks could not be attributed to specific temperature requirements because no attachment site was consistently warmer than another. Furthermore, no change in body temperature of the lizards was detected across the tick parapatric boundary.

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Christian, KA, GS Bedford, and ST Shannahan. "Solar Absorptance of Some Australian Lizards and Its Relationship to Temperature." Australian Journal of Zoology 44, no. 1 (1996): 59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9960059.

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The absorptance to solar radiation, integrated across a wide range of wavelengths, was measured for selected species of Australian lizards. Some, but not all, agamids demonstrated the ability to change absorptance. None of the varanid lizards measured changed absorptance, including Varanus storri, which had been reported to change colour. An energy balance model was used to explore the effects of absorptance, changes in absorptance, and body size in varanid lizards, the dragon Ctenophorus caudicinctus (which changed absorptance from 77.0 to 87.7%) and the frillneck lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii). Although higher absorptance values generally result in higher body temperatures, the effect of body size is great and must be taken into account in comparisons. Although some species with high absorptances are associated with relatively cool climates (Varanus rosenbergi) or with a semi-aquatic lifestyle (V. mertensi), the absorptances of other species are not as easily explained [such as the high absorptances of the tropical terrestrial V. panoptes (87%) and the tropical arboreal V. scalaris (86%)]. The absorptances of more species are required before the importance of climate and phylogenetic relationships can be fully evaluated. To facilitate future measurements, the apparatus used in this study is described in detail.

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Morton, S. R., and A. J. Emmott. "Lizards of the Australian Deserts: Uncovering an Extraordinary Ecological Story." Historical Records of Australian Science 25, no. 2 (2014): 217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/hr14017.

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For 150 years after European settlement of Australia there were no indications that the lizards of the Australian deserts might be exceptional in their species diversity and ecology. However, from the 1950s to the present, and especially from the 1970s, there has been acceleration in the rate of description of new species, a process likely to push the number known from the deserts past 400. Systematic work led rapidly to ecological research showing that the most diverse assemblages of lizards on Earth occur in the spinifex deserts, a phenomenon leading to considerable debate among ecologists on causal mechanisms. Appreciation of the extraordinary nature of the Australian desert lizards has come about through four developments: a cadre of dedicated systematists; explosive expansion in technologies for molecular analysis of species relationships; opening-up of the spinifex country to four-wheel-drive transport; and the vigorous efforts of a few dedicated ecologists.

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Anderson, S., and LF Marcus. "Aerography of Australian Tetrapods." Australian Journal of Zoology 40, no. 6 (1992): 627. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9920627.

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The sizes of geographic ranges of species of Australian tetrapod groups form 'hollow curve' frequency distributions, with most species having small ranges. Geometric means for range size (in 10(5) km2 units) are 1.2 for frogs and toads, 1.7 for turtles, 2.2 for lizards, 3.2 for snakes, 6.6 for birds, 2.6 for marsupials, 5.1 for bats and 2.1 for rodents. Species' densities are compared for different groups. A map of superimposed species boundaries for mammals demonstrates some relatively homogeneous faunal areas separated by distinct and narrow faunal boundaries but this is not the general pattern. The principal axes of species ranges for many groups are oriented parallel to and near coasts. Species centred on the interior tend to have larger ranges. Estimates or measurements of range size tend to be better if there are more published records, specimens, known localities of occurrence, and ecological data. Australia, in proportion to its area, has more anurans, lizards (and other reptiles), and marsupials, and it has fewer rodents and bats than North America. The ranking of groups for mean range size is the same in both continents except that Anura have smaller ranges than lizards in Australia.

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Pianka, Eric R. "Rarity in Australian desert lizards." Austral Ecology 39, no. 2 (June 11, 2013): 214–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aec.12061.

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Bull, C. Michael, and Michael J. Freake. "Home-range fidelity in the Australian sleepy lizard, Tiliqua rugosa." Australian Journal of Zoology 47, no. 2 (1999): 125. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo99021.

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A study was conducted at a semi-arid site near Mt Mary, South Australia. Fifty-eight adult sleepy lizards, Tiliqua rugosa, were radio-tagged and regularly located over the spring season, when they are most active, for 2-5 years. Home-range area did not differ between males and females. Changes in home-range position between years were assessed by the distance between home-range centres measured at intervals of one, two, three or four years. Mean distances for successive years were less than the span of the home range in one year. The distance did not differ between sexes, it was not related to lizard size, nor did it increase with increased time interval. This implies that for the resident adult population, lizards retain their home ranges for at least five years, and that the sexes do not differ in their fidelity to home range.

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Zuri, I., and C. M. Bull. "The use of visual cues for spatial orientation in the sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 78, no. 4 (April 2, 2000): 515–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z99-243.

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The sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) is a large, long-lived terrestrial Australian skink. In the present study we investigated the ability of sleepy lizards to use different visual cues for spatial orientation. The lizards were trained to locate shelters in certain places and then trained to certain signals associated with their shelters. In the absence of surrounding visual cues the lizards preferred familiar sites that were previously associated with their shelters. However, when presented with signals that had been associated with their shelters, they chose the vicinity of these familiar signals, even after their displacement to new sites. The lizards discriminated between black and white signals and between triangular and circular signals but not between red and green signals. Previous studies had shown that sleepy lizards exhibit home-range fidelity, raising the question of which environmental cues are important for them for spatial orientation within their home ranges. We suggest that the ability of sleepy lizards to discriminate between visual signals of different shapes and degrees of brightness enables them to "memorize" certain fixed landmarks in their large home ranges and to orient accordingly.

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Leu, Stephan T., Grant Jackson, John F. Roddick, and C. Michael Bull. "Lizard movement tracks: variation in path re-use behaviour is consistent with a scent-marking function." PeerJ 4 (March 22, 2016): e1844. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1844.

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Individual movement influences the spatial and social structuring of a population. Animals regularly use the same paths to move efficiently to familiar places, or to patrol and mark home ranges. We found that Australian sleepy lizards (Tiliqua rugosa), a monogamous species with stable pair-bonds, repeatedly used the same paths within their home ranges and investigated whether path re-use functions as a scent-marking behaviour, or whether it is influenced by site familiarity. Lizards can leave scent trails on the substrate when moving through the environment and have a well-developed vomeronasal system to detect and respond to those scents. Path re-use would allow sleepy lizards to concentrate scent marks along these well-used trails, advertising their presence. Hypotheses of mate attraction and mating competition predict that sleepy lizard males, which experience greater intra-sexual competition, mark more strongly. Consistent with those hypotheses, males re-used their paths more than females, and lizards that showed pairing behaviour with individuals of the opposite sex re-used paths more than unpaired lizards, particularly among females. Hinterland marking is most economic when home ranges are large and mobility is low, as is the case in the sleepy lizard. Consistent with this strategy, re-used paths were predominantly located in the inner 50% home range areas. Together, our detailed movement analyses suggest that path re-use is a scent marking behaviour in the sleepy lizard. We also investigated but found less support for alternative explanations of path re-use behaviour, such as site familiarity and spatial knowledge. Lizards established the same number of paths, and used them as often, whether they had occupied their home ranges for one or for more years. We discuss our findings in relation to maintenance of the monogamous mating system of this species, and the spatial and social structuring of the population.

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Garland, T., P. L. Else, A. J. Hulbert, and P. Tap. "Effects of endurance training and captivity on activity metabolism of lizards." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 252, no. 3 (March 1, 1987): R450—R456. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.1987.252.3.r450.

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Two groups of Amphibolurus nuchalis, an Australian agamid lizard, were maintained in captivity for 8 wk. The “trained” group was given submaximal exercise at 1 km/h on a motorized treadmill, 30 min/day, 5 days/wk; the treadmill was inclined 10% for the last 5 wk. The “sedentary” group was not exercised. Endurance capacity did not change significantly in either group, but sprint speed decreased in trained lizards. The sedentary group exhibited significant decreases in maximal O2 consumption, standard metabolic rate, and heart mass, but an increase in liver mass. Trained lizards exhibited significant decreases in heart and thigh muscle masses, but significant increases in liver mass, hematocrit, liver pyruvate kinase, and heart citrate synthase activities. It is concluded that the adaptive response to endurance training, typical of mammals, does not generally occur in lizards. Moreover, levels of chronic activity that would elicit adaptive responses in mammals may be excessive for lizards and may induce pathological effects in joints and skeletal muscle. The ecological and evolutionary significance of these conclusions is discussed.

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Stampe, Karina, Ole Næsbye Larsen, and Stephanie S. Godfrey. "Ecto- and endoparasites of the King's skink (Egernia kingii) on Penguin Island." Parasitology 147, no. 10 (May 19, 2020): 1094–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182020000839.

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AbstractWildlife species are often host to a diversity of parasites, but our knowledge of their diversity and ecology is extremely limited, especially for reptiles. Little is known about the host-parasite ecology of the Australian lizard, the King's skink (Egernia kingii). In spring of 2015, we carried out a field-based study of a population of King's skinks on Penguin Island (Western Australia). We documented five species of parasites, including two ectoparasitic mites (an undescribed laelapid mite and Mesolaelaps australiensis), an undescribed coccidia species, and two nematode species (Pharyngodon tiliquae and Capillaria sp.). The laelapid mite was the most abundant parasite, infesting 46.9% of the 113 captured lizards. This mite species increased in prevalence and abundance over the course of the study. Infection patterns of both mites varied with lizard life-stage; sub-adults were more commonly infested with laelapid mites than adults or juveniles, and sub-adults and adults were infested by more laelapid mites than juveniles. By contrast, adults had a higher prevalence of M. australiensis than juveniles or sub-adults. Among the gastrointestinal parasites, P. tiliquae was relatively common among the sampled lizards (35.3%). These results give new important information about reptiles as parasite hosts and what factors influence infection patterns.

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Gardner, M. G., S. S. Godfrey, A. L. Fenner, S. C. Donnellan, and C. M. Bull. "Fine-scale spatial structuring as an inbreeding avoidance mechanism in the social skink Egernia stokesii." Australian Journal of Zoology 60, no. 4 (2012): 272. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo12089.

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Egernia stokesii is a monogamous and group-living species of Australian scincid lizard. We used genotype data from 10 microsatellite loci to examine evidence for sex-biased dispersal and kin-based discrimination as mechanisms for inbreeding avoidance of E. stokesii within seven rocky outcrops in the southern Flinders Ranges of South Australia. We also examined the relatedness of individuals observed using the same crevice within groups. We found no evidence for sex-biased dispersal at these sites, but found that adult lizards of the opposite sex observed using the same crevice were less related to each other than expected by chance. Our results suggest a behavioural mechanism for minimising inbreeding in large related aggregations of this species.

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Ebrahimi, Mehregan, and C. Michael Bull. "Determining the success of varying short-term confinement time during simulated translocations of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis)." Amphibia-Reptilia 34, no. 1 (2013): 31–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00002863.

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Translocation is a powerful tool in conservation management, but one of the major problems of this tool is dispersal after release. Translocated animals might disperse from prime habitat and face unsuitable habitat and possible increased exposure to predators. This might lead to decline of a translocated population and could compromise the success of translocation. We assessed whether short-term confinement within enclosures at the translocation site can significantly decrease post release movement, if confinement allowed animals to become familiar with the new habitat, and to overcome handling related stress. We simulated the translocation of an Australian lizard, the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis, into the centre of a large enclosure and compared the behaviour between individuals confined to the central region for one or five days before release. We found that lizards confined for five days spent less time basking, and were more likely to disperse than lizards confined for just one day. We suggest that short-term confinement of lizards induces additional stress and that extra days of short-term confinement will not necessarily improve the success of a translocation. Future research could determine the effectiveness of different durations of confinement for releasing animals at translocation sites.

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Withers, Philip, and Graham Thompson. "Shape of Western Australian dragon lizards (Agamidae)." Amphibia-Reptilia 26, no. 1 (2005): 73–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1568538053693369.

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AbstractFor 41 species of Western Australian agamid lizards, we found that most appendage lengths vary isometrically, so shape is largely independent of size. Of the three methods we used to quantitatively remove the effects of size on shape, the two that use principal component analysis (PCA; Jolicoeur, 1963; Somers, 1986; 1989) provided similar results, whereas regression residuals (against body length) provided a different interpretation. Somers' size-free PCA approach to remove the size-effects was the most useful because it provided 'size-free' scores for each species that were further analysed using other techniques, and its results seemed more biologically meaningful. Some, but not all, of the variation in size-free shape for these lizards could be related to phylogeny, retreat choice and performance traits.

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Nielsen, Torben P., and C. Michael Bull. "The impact of sheep grazing on the fecundity and timing of reproduction in the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis." Amphibia-Reptilia 38, no. 4 (2017): 401–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00003119.

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The endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) is found only in a few remaining patches of South Australian native grassland, most of which are used for live stock grazing. The lizards occupy spider burrows, they mate in October-November and females produce litters of one to four live born neonates in mid-January-mid-March. In this study we use ultrasound scans of females and observations of neonates in their maternal burrows to investigate how grazing affects the fecundity of the pygmy bluetongue lizard. We predicted that lizards in moderately grazed paddocks would have a higher reproductive output than lizards in hard grazed paddocks. Ultrasound scans indicated that this hypothesis was correct by showing a higher mean number of yolk sacs in females from moderately than from hard grazed paddocks. Females from moderately grazed paddocks also gave birth significantly earlier than females in hard grazed paddocks. The higher number of yolk sacs did not result in a significantly higher number of neonates observed in the burrows, which indicates that the weekly burrow observations used in this study may underestimate true fecundity. Understanding how grazing affects the fecundity of the pygmy bluetongue lizard is essential to the future management of this endangered species. This is not only because grazing is used to manage the habitat of all currently known lizard populations, but also because successful reproduction will be needed in those populations to supply the “surplus” individuals predicted to be essential for relocation programs to ensure the survival of the species.

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Kluge, Arnold G., and Allen E. Greer. "The Biology and Evolution of Australian Lizards." Copeia 1991, no. 2 (May 16, 1991): 534. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1446607.

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Cloudsley-Thompson, J. L. "The Biology and Evolution of Australian Lizards." Journal of Arid Environments 22, no. 2 (March 1992): 200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0140-1963(18)30594-9.

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Clemente, Christofer J., and Nicholas C. Wu. "Body and tail-assisted pitch control facilitates bipedal locomotion in Australian agamid lizards." Journal of The Royal Society Interface 15, no. 146 (September 2018): 20180276. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2018.0276.

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Certain lizards are known to run bipedally. Modelling studies suggest bipedalism in lizards may be a consequence of a caudal shift in the body centre of mass, combined with quick bursts of acceleration, causing a torque moment at the hip lifting the front of the body. However, some lizards appear to run bipedally sooner and for longer than expected from these models, suggesting positive selection for bipedal locomotion. While differences in morphology may contribute to bipedal locomotion, changes in kinematic variables may also contribute to extended bipedal sequences, such as changes to the body orientation, tail lifting and changes to the ground reaction force profile. We examined these mechanisms among eight Australian agamid lizards. Our analysis revealed that angular acceleration of the trunk about the hip, and of the tail about the hip were both important predictors of extended bipedal running, along with increased temporal asymmetry of the ground reaction force profile. These results highlight important dynamic movements during locomotion, which may not only stabilize bipedal strides, but also to de-stabilize quadrupedal strides in agamid lizards, in order to temporarily switch to, and extend a bipedal sequence.

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Alam, Shayer M. I., Stephen D. Sarre, Arthur Georges, and Tariq Ezaz. "Karyotype Characterisation of Two Australian Dragon Lizards (Squamata: Agamidae: Amphibolurinae) Reveals Subtle Chromosomal Rearrangements Between Related Species with Similar Karyotypes." Cytogenetic and Genome Research 160, no. 10 (2020): 610–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000511344.

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Agamid lizards (Squamata: Agamidae) are karyotypically heterogeneous. Among the 101 species currently described from Australia, all are from the subfamily Amphibolurinae. This group is, with some exceptions, karyotypically conserved, and all species involving heterogametic sex show female heterogamety. Here, we describe the chromosomes of 2 additional Australian agamid lizards, Tympanocryptis lineata and Rankinia diemensis. These species are phylogenetically and cytogenetically sisters to the well-characterised Pogona vitticeps, but their sex chromosomes and other chromosomal characteristics are unknown. In this study, we applied advanced molecular cytogenetic techniques, such as fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and cross-species gene mapping, to characterise chromosomes and to identify sex chromosomes in these species. Our data suggest that both species have a conserved karyotype with P. vitticeps but with subtle rearrangements in the chromosomal landscapes. We could identify that T. lineata possesses a female heterogametic system (ZZ/ZW) with a pair of sex microchromosomes, while R. diemensis may have heterogametic sex chromosomes, but this requires further investigations. Our study shows the pattern of chromosomal rearrangements between closely related species, explaining the speciation within Australian agamid lizards of similar karyotypes.

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Kricher, John C. "Supplementary Course Reading? Australian Lizards or Darwin's Finches." Ecology 76, no. 3 (April 1995): 1022–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1939371.

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SCHWARTZ, TONIA S., DANIEL A. WARNER, LUCIANO B. BEHEREGARAY, and MATS OLSSON. "PRIMER NOTE: Microsatellite loci for Australian agamid lizards." Molecular Ecology Notes 7, no. 3 (December 5, 2006): 528–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-8286.2006.01644.x.

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Stewart, James R., and Michael B. Thompson. "Parallel evolution of placentation in Australian scincid lizards." Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution 312B, no. 6 (September 15, 2009): 590–602. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jez.b.21245.

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Nelson, Lyn S., and Paul D. Cooper. "Seasonal effects on body temperature of the endangered grassland earless dragon, Tympanocryptis pinguicolla, from populations at two elevations." Australian Journal of Zoology 65, no. 3 (2017): 165. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo17017.

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The endangered grassland earless dragon, Tympanocryptis pinguicolla, is present in two geographic locations in Australia: the Australian Capital Territory and adjacent New South Wales (NSW) near Canberra (~580 m above sea level) and Monaro Plains, NSW, near Cooma (~950 m above sea level). The lizards live in native grassland, an endangered ecological community, and although the population ecology of the animal has been examined, the importance of habitat for thermoregulatory patterns is unknown. We studied whether lizards from the two locations differ in their seasonal patterns of thermoregulation by measuring skin and chest temperatures using both radio-telemetry and temperature measurement in the field, as well as thermal preferences in a laboratory thermal gradient. These results are compared with the operative temperatures (Te) in various microhabitats in the two regions to determine to what extent lizards are thermoregulating. We demonstrate that these lizards do not maintain a constant body temperature, but allow Tb to vary between 13 and 39°C when active in the field, although the grand mean for 50% basking temperatures ranged between 32 and 36°C in the laboratory gradient. Temperatures in the various microhabitats can exceed 40°C, but lizards appeared to avoid those temperatures by seeking shelter in either burrows or the base of grass tussocks. Lizards could choose microhabitats that would permit maintenance of body temperatures above 30°C in most seasons, but did not do so. As high body temperature is not selected in field conditions for either population, other processes (e.g. predation) may be more important for determining Tb maintenance.

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Youngman, Nicholas J., Joshua Llinas, and Bryan G. Fry. "Evidence for Resistance to Coagulotoxic Effects of Australian Elapid Snake Venoms by Sympatric Prey (Blue Tongue Skinks) but Not by Predators (Monitor Lizards)." Toxins 13, no. 9 (August 24, 2021): 590. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins13090590.

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Some Australian elapids possess potently procoagulant coagulotoxic venoms which activate the zymogen prothrombin into the functional enzyme thrombin. Although the activity of Australian elapid prothrombin-activators has been heavily investigated with respect to the mammalian, and in particular, human clotting cascades, very few studies have investigated the activity of their venom upon reptile plasmas. This is despite lizards representing both the primary diet of most Australian elapids and also representing natural predators. This study investigated the procoagulant actions of a diverse range of Australian elapid species upon plasma from known prey species within the genera Tiliqua (blue tongue skinks) as well as known predator species within the genera Varanus (monitor lizards). In addition to identifying significant variation in the natural responses of the coagulation cascade between species from the genera Tiliqua and Varanus relative to each other, as well as other vertebrate lineages, notable differences in venom activity were also observed. Within the genus Tiliqua, both T. rugosa and T. scincoides plasma displayed significant resistance to the procoagulant activity of Pseudechis porphyriacus venom, despite being susceptible to all other procoagulant elapid venoms. These results indicate that T. rugosa and T. scincoides have evolved resistance within their plasma to the coagulotoxic venom activity of the sympatric species P. porphyriacus. Other venoms were able to activate Tiliqua prothrombin, which suggests that the lessened activity of P. porphyriacus venom is not due to modifications of the prothrombin and may instead be due to a serum factor that specifically binds to P. porphyriacus toxins, as has been previously seen for squirrels resistant to rattlesnake venom. In contrast, none of the predatory lizards studied (Varanus giganteus, V. mertensi and V. varius) demonstrated resistance to the venom. This suggests that the mechanical protection afforded by thick osteodermic scales, and prey handling behaviour, removes a selection pressure for the evolution of resistance in these large predatory lizards. These results therefore reveal differential interactions between venoms of snakes with sympatric lizards that are on opposite sides of the predator–prey arms race.

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L. Mensforth, Corinne, and C. Michael Bull. "Selection of artificial refuge structures in the Australian skink, Egernia stokesii." Pacific Conservation Biology 14, no. 1 (2008): 63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc080063.

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At least three currently named subspecies of the rock dwelling skink Egernia stokesii from Western Australia (E. s. stokesii, E. s. aethiops and E. s. badia) have restricted distributions or are considered endangered. We tested preferences of the more common eastern form of E. stokesii (E. s. zellingi) for various artificial refuges made from paving bricks by offering alternative structures in enclosures and recording times spent on each. We found that lizards preferred refuges with more crevices. They did not discriminate between structures where the crevices were located higher or lower or between structures that did or did not have adjacent small bushes. However, lizard basking position was influenced by crevice height or by proximity of a bush. Our results are relevant where translocations of animals are a component of conservation management, and where artificial refuges are added to induce relocated individuals to remain or to increase resources for existing populations.

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Ujvari, Beata, Hee-Chang Mun, Arthur D. Conigrave, Claudio Ciofi, and Thomas Madsen. "Invasive toxic prey may imperil the survival of an iconic giant lizard, the Komodo dragon." Pacific Conservation Biology 20, no. 4 (2014): 363. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc140363.

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Although invasive species constitute a major threat to global biodiversity, the introduction of toxic prey into naïve predator faunas may become particularly destructive. An example of such an introduction was the deliberate release of the highly toxic cane toad (Bufo marinus) to the toad-free Australian continent in 1935. Naïve large Australian varanid lizards have recently been shown to suffer a massive increase in mortality (> 95%) when attempting to feed on this toxic amphibian. The high susceptibility of Australian varanids to toad toxin is caused by minor mutations in the sodiumpotassium- ATPase enzyme. In the present study we show that Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) have similar mutations within this enzyme as observed in Australian varanids demonstrating that dragons are extremely susceptible to toad toxin. During the last decade the black-spined toad (Bufo melanostictus) has been able to invade areas close to the five toad-free islands constituting the habitat of Komodo dragons. An invasion of highly toxic black-spined toads into dragon habitats may therefore cause similar dramatic increase in dragon mortality as recorded in Australian varanids imperiling the long-term survival of this giant and iconic lizard.

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Schofield, Julie A., Aaron L. Fenner, Kelly Pelgrim, and C. Michael Bull. "Male-biased movement in pygmy bluetongue lizards: implications for conservation." Wildlife Research 39, no. 8 (2012): 677. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr12098.

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Context Translocation has become an increasingly common tool in the conservation of species. Understanding the movement patterns of some species can be important to minimise loss of individuals from the translocation release site. Aims To describe seasonal and sex-biased movements within populations of an endangered Australian lizard. Methods We monitored seasonal movement in the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) by using pitfall trapping, with a total of 49 440 trap-nights from three sites over 2 years. Other studies have shown that individual pygmy bluetongue lizards normally remained closely associated with their spider burrow refuges, with very little movement. Thus, we interpreted any captures detected through pitfall trapping as out of burrow movements. We investigated whether there was any seasonal, age or sex bias in moving individuals. Key results We found that male pygmy bluetongue lizards were more likely to move than were females. After adults, neonates were the second-most captured age class. Spring was the peak movement time for adults, whereas movement of neonates occurred in autumn. Key conclusions The majority of movement can be attributed to males in the breeding season, whereas females move very little. Implications The present study provides some baseline data that would allow more informed decisions about the most appropriate individuals in a population to choose for a translocation program and the times to conduct translocations to allow the maximum chance for establishment.

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Moritz, C. "The origin and evolution of parthenogenesis in Heteronotia binoei (Gekkonidae): evidence for recent and localized origins of widespread clones." Genetics 129, no. 1 (September 1, 1991): 211–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/genetics/129.1.211.

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Abstract The parthenogenetic form of the gecko lizard species Heteronotia binoei has an unusually broad geographic range and high genetic diversity. Restriction enzyme analysis revealed two basic types of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) among the parthenogens. One type is restricted to western populations. The other type, analyzed in detail here, was widespread, being found in populations from central to western Australia. The diversity within this widespread type was low. The variation among parthenogens from central to western Australia was similar to that found within local populations of the sexual species that provided the mtDNA, and was an order of magnitude less than the differentiation shown between sexual populations across the same geographic distance. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the widespread type of mtDNA in the parthenogens is most closely related to mtDNAs from western populations of the "CA6" sexual parent. These data suggest that these parthenogenetic clones arose recently within a small geographic area, most probably in Western Australia. The parthenogens must have spread rapidly to occupy much of the central and western Australian deserts. This rapid and extensive range expansion provides strong evidence that parthenogenesis can be a successful strategy for lizards in an environment with low and unpredictable rainfall.

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Hofmann, Sylvia. "Who is sitting next to me? Relatedness between next neighbours in common lizards." Amphibia-Reptilia 29, no. 1 (2008): 19–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853808783431497.

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Abstract Several lizard species have been shown to exhibit kin recognition, including green iguanas (Iguana iguana), three Australian Scincid species (Egernia stokesii, E. striolata and Tiliqua rugosa) and common lizards (Lacerta vivipara). Thus, observations of close neighboured individuals of the common lizard that consist of differently or same-aged individuals at a given site may generate speculation about the relatedness structure of such combinations and putative “social” patterns of this species. A total of 682 lizards were sampled from a population in a nature reserve near Leipzig, Germany. Relatedness statistics were calculated using five microsatellite DNA loci. The relatedness of individuals that were sighted or captured together was compared by grouping them on sex and age. The results showed that pairs of adults and juveniles were significantly more related than all other combinations, with adults showing the lowest mean values of relatedness, followed by a similar low level of relatedness between subadults. Most “pairs” were found in juveniles. Pairs of subadults and juveniles as well as of adults and juveniles consisted mainly of females. In subadults and adults, males were non-related. Little evidence was found to indicate that relatedness is relevant to the spatial distance between individuals. The relatedness patterns of associated individuals may arise from male sex-biased dispersal rather than from active kin preferences based on kin discrimination.

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Shine, Richard, and Rajkumar Radder. "Germinal bed condition in a polyautochronic single-clutched lizard, Bassiana duperreyi (Scincidae)." Amphibia-Reptilia 28, no. 1 (2007): 159–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853807779799018.

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AbstractIn lizards, the eggs are produced within small regions of the ovary known as germinal beds (GBs); previous literature suggests that the number of GBs per ovary may be linked to life-history traits such as clutch size and breeding frequency. In the oviparous montane Australian skink Bassiana duperreyi, females produce a single clutch of 3 to 11 eggs each year. Our histological examination of ovaries of this species revealed a single GB per ovary. In combination with previous studies, our results suggest that scincid lizards may offer ideal model systems to explore the functional link between ovarian morphology and life-history traits in lizards.

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DONNELLAN, STEPHEN C., MARK N. HUTCHINSON, and KATHLEEN M. SAINT. "Molecular evidence for the phylogeny of Australian gekkonoid lizards." Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 67, no. 1 (May 1999): 97–118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.1999.tb01932.x.

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Thompson, Michael B., James R. Stewart, Brian K. Speake, Margot J. Hosie, and Christopher R. Murphy. "Evolution of viviparity: what can Australian lizards tell us?" Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 131, no. 4 (April 2002): 631–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1096-4959(02)00013-1.

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Thompson, Graham G., and Philip C. Withers. "Comparative morphology of Western Australian varanid lizards (Squamata: Varanidae)." Journal of Morphology 233, no. 2 (August 1997): 127–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1097-4687(199708)233:2<127::aid-jmor4>3.0.co;2-3.

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Clemente, C. J., G. G. Thompson, and P. C. Withers. "Evolutionary relationships of sprint speed in Australian varanid lizards." Journal of Zoology 278, no. 4 (August 2009): 270–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2009.00559.x.

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Skinner, Adam, Andrew F. Hugall, and Mark N. Hutchinson. "Lygosomine phylogeny and the origins of Australian scincid lizards." Journal of Biogeography 38, no. 6 (February 9, 2011): 1044–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02471.x.

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Domrow, Robert. "SPECIES OFOPHIONYSSUSMÉGNIN FROM AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS AND SNAKES (ACARI: DERMANYSSIDAE)." Australian Journal of Entomology 24, no. 2 (May 1985): 149–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-6055.1985.tb00213.x.

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Case, Ted J., and Terry D. Schwaner. "Island/mainland body size differences in Australian varanid lizards." Oecologia 94, no. 1 (1993): 102–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00317309.

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Parsons, Sandra K., C. Michael Bull, and David M. Gordon. "Spatial Variation and Survival of Salmonella enterica Subspecies in a Population of Australian Sleepy Lizards (Tiliqua rugosa)." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 81, no. 17 (June 19, 2015): 5804–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.00997-15.

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ABSTRACTThe life cycles of many enteric bacterial species require a transition between two very distinct environments. Their primary habitat is the gastrointestinal tract of the host, while their secondary habitat, during transmission from one host to another, consists of environments external to the host, such as soil, water, and sediments. Consequently, both host and environmental factors shape the genetic structure of enteric bacterial populations. This study examined the distribution of fourSalmonella entericasubspecies in a population of sleepy lizards,Tiliqua rugosa, in a semiarid region of South Australia. The lizards living within the 1,920-m by 720-m study site were radio tracked, and their enteric bacteria were sampled at regular intervals throughout their active seasons in the years 2001, 2002, and 2006. Four of the six subspecies ofS. entericawere present in this population and were nonrandomly distributed among the lizards. In particular,S. entericasubsp.diarizonaewas restricted to lizards living in the most shaded parts of the study site with an overstorey ofCasuarinatrees. Experiments undertaken to investigate the survival ofS. entericacells under seminatural conditions revealed that cell survival decreased with increased exposure to elevated temperatures and UV light. Among the threeS. entericasubspecies tested,S. entericasubsp.diarizonaeconsistently had an average expected life span that was shorter than that observed for the other two subspecies. There was no indication in the data that there was any competitive dominance hierarchy among theS. entericasubspecies within individual hosts. Thus, the nonrandom distribution ofS. entericasubspecies in this population of lizards appears to be driven by their different survival characteristics in the external environment.

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Dollahon, Norman R., Aaron M. Bauer, and Anthony P. Russell. "Haemoparasitic protozoans (Plasmodiidae and Haemogregarinidae) from a New Caledonian gekkonid lizard, Rhacodactylus leachianus." Canadian Journal of Zoology 74, no. 11 (November 1, 1996): 2104–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z96-239.

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A Plasmodium sp. and a haemogregarine were found in Giemsa-stained blood smears of a Rhacodactylus leachianus, an endemic New Caledonian gekkonid lizard. Both parasites were observed in mature erythrocytes only. The haemogregarines were found in a lateral position and the stages of Plasmodium sp. were polar or lateropolar in the cells. Mature schizonts of the latter were often fan-shaped, producing 4–10 merozoites. This is the first record of blood parasites in a New Caledonian vertebrate and the first record of a Plasmodium from a carphodactyline gecko. The Plasmodium sp. is unlike those described from Australian or New Zealand lizards, but is referable to the subgenus Lacertamoeba. The biogeographic affinities of these parasites remain unclear and may reflect either ancient Gondwanan affinities or more recent southeast Asian connections via more highly vagile lizard invaders of New Caledonia.

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Blamires, S. J. "Factors influencing the escape response of an arboreal agamid lizard of tropical Australia (Lophognathus temporalis) in an urban environment." Canadian Journal of Zoology 77, no. 12 (December 1, 1999): 1998–2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z99-166.

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The escape response of the agamid lizard Lophognathus temporalis in an urban population was examined during the dry season. Two measurements of escape response were made: the distance an observer can approach before the lizard flees (approach distance) and the distance the lizard flees to refuge (flight distance). The relationship between approach distance and flight distance was examined, as was the relationship between air temperature and both approach distance and flight distance. The influence of time of day, the lizard's perch (in a tree or on the ground), and year (1996 or 1998) on the escape response was determined. Approach distance and flight distance had no relationship with each other. Air temperature had a positive relationship with approach distance, so variations in temperature between the two years might explain variations in approach distance between them. The lizard's perch had the greatest influence on flight distance. Lizards in trees fled shorter distances, usually to the opposite side of the tree trunk or branch to the observer. Lizards on the ground always fled to the nearest refuge.

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Laver, Rebecca J., Stuart V. Nielsen, Dan F. Rosauer, and Paul M. Oliver. "Trans-biome diversity in Australian grass-specialist lizards (Diplodactylidae: Strophurus)." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 115 (October 2017): 62–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2017.07.015.

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Bradshaw, S. D. "The Biology and Evolution of Australian Lizards. Allen E. Greer." Quarterly Review of Biology 66, no. 4 (December 1991): 500. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/417383.

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Journal articles on the topic 'Australian lizards'

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