TY - JOUR
T1 - Characteristics of the burrows of Slater's skink, Liopholis slateri
AU - Fenner, Aaron
AU - Pavey, Christoph
AU - Bull, Christopher
PY - 2012/4
Y1 - 2012/4
N2 - Slater's skink, Liopholis slateri, is an endangered, burrow dwelling scincid, confined to the desert river floodplains of central Australia. This species has undergone a significant population decline over the past 40 years probably due to a loss of suitable habitat for burrow construction caused by changes in land use, the invasion of exotic weeds and altered fire regimes. In this paper we describe the characteristics of natural burrows and their physical association with other environmental features. Lizards were found to construct relatively complex, multi-entranced (up to 10 entrances) burrow systems in mounds of soil, ranging from 4.5-33 cm in height and 3.12-10.36 m basal circumference, that had formed under shrubs ranging from 0.42-3.22 m in height. We also found that the temperature inside one burrow was substantially lower during the hottest part of the day, and showed substantially less daily temperature variation than experienced outside of the burrow. We found no evidence that lizards had a preferred compass direction for orientating their burrow openings. This study provides baseline data to enable the development of artificial burrow systems for use in future habitat restoration projects, possible translocations and captive breeding programmes.
AB - Slater's skink, Liopholis slateri, is an endangered, burrow dwelling scincid, confined to the desert river floodplains of central Australia. This species has undergone a significant population decline over the past 40 years probably due to a loss of suitable habitat for burrow construction caused by changes in land use, the invasion of exotic weeds and altered fire regimes. In this paper we describe the characteristics of natural burrows and their physical association with other environmental features. Lizards were found to construct relatively complex, multi-entranced (up to 10 entrances) burrow systems in mounds of soil, ranging from 4.5-33 cm in height and 3.12-10.36 m basal circumference, that had formed under shrubs ranging from 0.42-3.22 m in height. We also found that the temperature inside one burrow was substantially lower during the hottest part of the day, and showed substantially less daily temperature variation than experienced outside of the burrow. We found no evidence that lizards had a preferred compass direction for orientating their burrow openings. This study provides baseline data to enable the development of artificial burrow systems for use in future habitat restoration projects, possible translocations and captive breeding programmes.
KW - Arid zone
KW - Artificial burrows
KW - Conservation
KW - Egernia refuges
KW - Lizard
UR - http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bhs/thj/2012/00000022/00000002/art00008
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861395973&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
SN - 0268-0130
VL - 22
SP - 115
EP - 121
JO - Herpetological Journal
JF - Herpetological Journal
IS - 2
ER -