Impact of foxes digging for the pygmy bluetongue lizard (<i>Tiliqua adelaidensis</i>)

Nielsen, Torben P.; Bull, C. Michael

doi:10.1080/03721426.2016.1196473

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…The snakeeyed lizard Ophisops elegans has been reported to be distributed within an area ranging from southern and western Europe, Turkey and northern and eastern Asia to northern Africa (Oraie et al 2014). Reptiles are hunted by various raptors, some predatory mammals and poultry, and therefore, the investigation of the pathogens carried by these animals bears significance with respect to protecting the health of wild animals, humans and domestic animals (Bakaloudis et al 2012, Nielsen andBull 2016). To date, many studies have demonstrated bacterial agents including Salmonella spp., E. coli and Clostridium spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in the Snake-eyed lizard ( Ophisops elegans) (Sauria, Lacertidae) in the Çankırı Province of Turkey

Tarhane,

Bozkurt,

Büyük

2023

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences

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Zoonoses are frequently associated with wild animals. Research on reptiles either living in their natural habitat or kept as pet animals has shown that these animals frequently serve as the asymptomatic hosts of bacterial zoonotic agents, including Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli. Studies have shown the potential of reptiles to transmit these pathogens to humans and other animals. Epidemiological research on the herpetofauna of various regions has demonstrated the high potential of reptiles as a reservoir of Salmonella spp. In the present study, Salmonella spp. were not isolated or identified from the snake-eyed lizard. Out of 150 cloacal swab samples of snake-eyed lizard 25 (16.7%) E. coli were isolated and out of these 4 (2.7%) were identified to be E. coli O157:H7 by PCR. The results suggest that Ophisops elegans could be involved in the transmission of E. coli, rather than Salmonella spp. This study demonstrates for the first time that the snake-eyed lizard acts as a cloacal carrier of E. coli O157:H7 and presents data that may aid in preventing the transmission of this strain to humans.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in the Snake-eyed lizard ( Ophisops elegans) (Sauria, Lacertidae) in the Çankırı Province of Turkey

Tarhane,

Bozkurt,

Büyük

2023

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences

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Digging in: a review of the ecology and management of a threatened reptile with a small disjunct distribution – the heath skink, Liopholis multiscutata, in Victoria, south-eastern Australia

Brown

Robertson

Fanson

2019

Pac. Conserv. Biol.

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The central issue for species that are highly localised habitat specialists and occur in relatively small numbers is vulnerability to extinction processes. The heath skink, Liopholis multiscutata, is considered Critically Endangered in Victoria, in part because it is restricted to essentially four small and highly disjunct populations in semiarid mallee dunefields. It provides an example of a rare and cryptic species that is especially vulnerable to decline and consequently provides management challenges. Here, we crystallise available information on the ecology and life history of this threatened lizard, and review monitoring data to evaluate population status, primary threats and management imperatives. There has been a substantial decrease across the known range of the lizard in Victoria, most likely due to predation and fire. Recent monitoring of the four potentially viable populations revealed a general trend of decline. Recommendations for research and management priorities for the lizard in Victoria are provided; generally, these include further exploration of the lizard’s phylogeny and ecology, and ongoing monitoring of the trajectory of the lizard’s population status, threats to the lizard’s persistence and the effectiveness of management actions employed to ameliorate extinction threats.

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Winter durability of pygmy bluetongue lizard burrows is higher for occupied than for unoccupied burrows and for those in less-grazed neighbourhoods

Nielsen

Bull

2016

Wildl. Res.

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Context Many ectothermic animals survive winter by hibernating, either buried or in burrows. During their hibernation these animals are vulnerable to changes in soil structure and temperature caused by the activity of grazing mammals. This may be a particular risk to ectotherms living in native grassland, as this habitat is often used for livestock grazing. The endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard lives in burrows, in fragments of native grassland in South Australia, and these burrows are likely to be affected by sheep grazing during the lizards’ hibernation. Aims The current study aimed to determine the following effects on the persistence of burrows suitable to the pygmy bluetongue lizard: different levels of grazing, winter vegetation cover, burrow entrance size and whether a lizard was overwintering in the burrow. Methods During two winters, we applied different grazing treatments to six experimental paddocks and determined whether suitable lizard burrows located in autumn were still suitable to lizards in the following spring. For each burrow, we recorded whether a lizard was overwintering, the burrow entrance diameter and the vegetation cover around the burrow during the winter. Key results Increased grazing pressure led to decreased persistence of lizard burrows. We also found that burrows with an overwintering lizard had a greater chance of persisting, but found no direct effect of winter vegetation cover or entrance diameter. Conclusions The results show that although pygmy bluetongue lizards may be able to stabilise their own burrows, the more intense the grazing the lower the chance of lizard burrow persistence. Implications Management of sheep grazing is an important component in future conservation of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard. Grazing on grassland with a lizard population should be kept at a moderate level and hard grazing should be avoided.

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Impact of foxes digging for the pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis)

Cited by 5 publications

References 22 publications

Investigation of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in the Snake-eyed lizard ( Ophisops elegans) (Sauria, Lacertidae) in the Çankırı Province of Turkey

Investigation of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in the Snake-eyed lizard ( Ophisops elegans) (Sauria, Lacertidae) in the Çankırı Province of Turkey

Digging in: a review of the ecology and management of a threatened reptile with a small disjunct distribution – the heath skink, Liopholis multiscutata, in Victoria, south-eastern Australia

Winter durability of pygmy bluetongue lizard burrows is higher for occupied than for unoccupied burrows and for those in less-grazed neighbourhoods

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