Injuries to lizards: conservation implications for the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis)

Abstract

Understanding the potential threats of predation can play a crucial role in conservation management of threatened species. We investigated the frequency of sublethal injuries to live individuals of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis). We found that there was no significant difference in the frequency of injury between males and females. However, there was a significant difference in injury frequency between adults and subadult animals and also between two close, but isolated, populations of pygmy bluetongue lizards. These data can be used, with caution, to understand the predation risks in natural populations of this species. They also suggest that predation would be a significant hazard that must be considered in any translocation program that is considered for this species.