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.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.