This study was conducted at Shuang-Yuan bridge (the border between Kaoshiung County and Ping-Tung County) and another four areas of Tai-Wu region at Ping-Tung County from June to August, 2000 and January to December, 2001. The main purpose of this research was to investigat the habitat use among sympatric skinks. During the research period, I discovered six species of skinks, including Eumeces elegans, Mabuya longicaudata, M. multifasciata, Scincella formosensis, Sphenomorphus incognitus and S. indicus. At Shuang-Yuan bridge, the habitat use among Mabuya longicaudata and Mabuya multifasciata differed significantly. Mabuya multifasciata was most common in open area, but Mabuya longicaudata was found mostly in close area, based on their habitat preference. Sphenomorphus incognitus and Sphenomorphus indicus were found in sympatry in low altitude area and their habitat use were similar, but in higher altitude region the habitat use differed considerably among two species, Sphenomorphus incognitus was more common in open area. Eumeces elegans was rare at three lower altitude regions in Tai-Wu, but more common at higher region and the habitat use was significantly different to that of Sphenomorphus indicus. Sphenomorphus indicus was found mainly in the ditch and water pipe, while Eumeces elegans was strongly associated with grass and rocks. Scincella formosensis was rare relatively among six skinks and preferred grass and leaf-litter.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Flinders University, School of Biological Sciences. / Typescript (bound). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178 - 180). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Flinders University, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Mar. 11, 2007). Includes bibliographical references.

Research on squamate evolution of Australia has predominantly focused on the eastern portion of the continent, whereas little is known about the record from Western Australia. Deposits in Devils Lair provide a glimpse of late Pleistocene Egernia group skink representation from the Cape Leeuwin-Naturaliste region of southwestern Western Australia. Previous studies of fossils from the cave indicate a peak in the number of lizard remains during the last glacial maximum, a time when mammal and charcoal remains suggest an open, dry environment. Previous studies of Devils Lair have not attempted to identify lizard remains beyond 'lizard'. Here, we identify Egernia group lizard remains as Liopholis spp., Egernia spp., Lissolepis spp. and Tiliqua rugosa, which range in age from ca 48000 to 13000 yr B.P.

Over 30 tetrapod groups have evolved a snake-like, elongate, limbless body plan. Studies of the patterns of limb reduction have revealed a close relationship between the reduction of the limbs and body elongation; however, the loss of the skeletal elements that support the limb, the pectoral girdle, has been less thoroughly examined. Here, I use computed tomography to generate three dimensional models of the pectoral girdles of an Australian skink genus, Lerista. This group contains pentadactyl species, fully limbless species and many species with intermediate morphologies. I employed a 3D geometric morphometric analysis to compare the shapes of these structures and revealed that the reduction of the pectoral girdle is correlated with the degree of loss in the limbs. The girdle in species with well developed limbs is longer and more narrow than the short, broad girdle of species with highly reduced or absent limbs, but the degree of reduction is only loosely correlated with the degree of reduction in the limbs. Certain events appear to occur concurrently such as the losses of the coracoid foramen and the humerus, but other events such as the loss of the epicoracoid are not consistently associated with any other event. The extent to which limb reduction is associated with the degree of pectoral girdle reduction and the morphology of the girdles appears to be closely associated with subclade, with individuals from closely related clades showing dramatically different degrees of girdle reduction despite similarities in the degree of limb loss. Despite these differences, the patterns in Lerista are generally more similar to each other than to those of other lizard groups, and more similar to those of other skinks than to those of other groups of lizards. Though some aspects of limb loss are common to all lizard groups that have evolved a serpentine body plan, this study shows that, even in closely related groups, this transition does not proceed in exactly the same way. / Master of Science / Over 30 tetrapod groups have evolved a snake-like, elongate, limbless body plan. Many studies of the patterns of limb reduction (evolutionarily losing fingers and toes) have revealed a close relationship between the reduction of the limbs and body elongation; however, the loss of parts of the internal skeleton that support the limb (e.g. shoulder blade, collar bone) have been less thoroughly examined. Here computed tomography was used to generate three dimensional models of the pectoral girdle, the array of limb support bones, of the Australian lizard genus Lerista. This group contains species that have five fingers, species which are fully limbless (and thus have no fingers), and some that have intermediate numbers of fingers. I quantitatively compared the pectoral girdle shapes, which revealed that the reduction of the pectoral girdle occurs gradually and in a series of steps that are loosely associated with how many fingers are present. The pectoral girdle as a whole shows a more obvious reduction in length than in width, with this length reduction being loosely associated with the number of fingers present. Certain events appear to occur concurrently such as the loss of a small hole in one of the bones through which nerves that control the arm pass and loss of the upper arm bone. However other events, such as the loss of a cartilaginous structure called the epicoracoid is not consistently associated with any other event. The extent to which limb reduction is associated with the extent of pectoral girdle reduction is group dependent, with individuals from closely related groups showing dramatically different degrees of pectoral girdle reduction despite a similarity in the degree of digit loss. Despite these differences, the patterns in Lerista are more similar to each other than to those of other lizard groups, and more similar to those of other skinks than to those of other groups of lizards. Though some aspects of limb loss are common to all lizard groups that have evolved a snake-like body plan, this study reveals that even in closely related groups, this transition does not proceed in exactly the same way.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / This study examined the biogeography and taxonomic status of the Cape legless skink, Acontias meleagris species complex using phylogenetic analyses, population genetics, demographic history aspects, time of lineage diversification estimation, environmental statistic analyses and a morphological evaluation. A total of 231 specimens from 55 localities were collected from the entire known distribution range of the A. meleagris complex throughout the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape, South Africa. Partial sequence data were collected from two mitochondrial DNA loci, 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI), and one protein-coding nuclear DNA locus, exophilin 5 (EXPH 5). DNA sequences were analyzed for phylogenetic methods and biogeographical dating, while population genetic analyses were conducted on the COI sequences. Geographical boundaries amongst cryptic lineages were determined and evolutionary drivers of cladogenesis within the species complex were inferred. Marked genetic structure was observed within the A. meleagris complex, and five clades were retrieved, most of which were statistically well supported. These five clades were also evident within the haplotypic analyses and were characterized by demographic stability. Lineage diversification and the current biogeographical patterning observed for lineages within the A. meleagris species complex reflect the impact of sea level oscillations on historical coastal habitat availability. Additional historical evolutionary drivers within this subterranean species complex were inferred and discussed. The five clades within this species complex were considered discrete species, characterised by phylogenetic and biogeographic distinctiveness. While, morphological characters that could be used to identify the five species demonstrated widespread overlap for morphometric and meristic characters as well as colour pattering. Consequently, the phylogenetic species concept was employed for a taxonomical revision of A. meleagris sensu lato. Here, three of the previously recognised subspecies A. m. meleagris, A. m. orientalis and A. m. orientalis–'lineicauda' were elevated to full species, and two new species A. caurinus sp. nov. and A. parilis sp. nov. were described. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

The translocation of organisms is becoming a frequently used tool in conservation biology. There are, however, a disproportionate number of unsuccessful attempts translocating populations of herpetofauna. Logistical and temporal limits of monitoring, combined with ambiguous metrics concerning "success," have led to few advances regarding reptile translocations. Successfully established and persistent populations are those in which both the founding population and subsequent generations show consistent or positive levels of survival and reproduction. A small population of the threatened Florida Sand Skink (Plestiodon reynoldsi) was translocated in 2007. Data collected from 2007 to 2009 confirmed survival and reproduction among the founding individuals, but the sampling did not include a long enough period to allow for the evaluation of the survival and reproduction of individuals born on the site. In this study, individuals were collected during two separate sampling events, one during the third spring and one during the sixth spring after the translocation occurred. Survival estimates, reproduction, population size and generation structure were calculated by combining and analyzing data from all years post-translocation. The numbers of both total and new individuals captured in the sixth year exceeded captures from every prior sampling event since monitoring began in 2008. Founding individuals represented only 14% of the total individuals captured, while the number of individuals born on site continued to increase. The proportion of recruits and increased number of hatchlings despite the loss of founders shows that the filial generations are producing offspring. The methods utilized in assessing this translocation effort will further the understanding of the population dynamics of the Florida Sand Skink and allow for more informed decisions in future management studies of this threatened species.

Exurban development, consisting of low density residential housing in a rural setting, is steadily increasing in North America. This increase may have negative impacts on the habitat for some species, through the introduction of non-native plants and new predators such as house cats. The northern prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) is listed as Endangered in Canada occurring only in southwestern Manitoba. The objectives of this study included: a) defining prairie skink microhabitat use on private land according to vegetation, temperature and cover availability, b) determining landowner awareness of prairie skinks on their property, and c) determining how landowner stewardship could be used in skink conservation. Mixed methods strategy of inquiry was utilized and data collection procedures included both quantitative habitat surveys and qualitative landowner interviews. I found that prairie skinks were most often found in prairie habitat, and were found most often in areas with a) high percent artificial cover, b) high leaf litter, and c) more pieces of cover per acre. Landowners most often saw skinks near buildings, in flower beds and in debris piles. Landowner attitudes towards skinks were positive,though willingness may not translate into action.

Exurban development, consisting of low density residential housing in a rural setting, is steadily increasing in North America. This increase may have negative impacts on the habitat for some species, through the introduction of non-native plants and new predators such as house cats. The northern prairie skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis) is listed as Endangered in Canada occurring only in southwestern Manitoba. The objectives of this study included: a) defining prairie skink microhabitat use on private land according to vegetation, temperature and cover availability, b) determining landowner awareness of prairie skinks on their property, and c) determining how landowner stewardship could be used in skink conservation. Mixed methods strategy of inquiry was utilized and data collection procedures included both quantitative habitat surveys and qualitative landowner interviews. I found that prairie skinks were most often found in prairie habitat, and were found most often in areas with a) high percent artificial cover, b) high leaf litter, and c) more pieces of cover per acre. Landowners most often saw skinks near buildings, in flower beds and in debris piles. Landowner attitudes towards skinks were positive,though willingness may not translate into action.

Abundance, distribution and habitat preferences of the lizard species present on Motunau Island, off the Canterbury coast of New Zealand, were investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate the extent to which recent vegetation change on Motunau Island has effected the lizard community and what implications this has for the future management of the Island. Three species of lizard occur on Motunau Island; the common gecko (Hoplodactylus maculatus), common skink (Oligosoma nigriplantare polychroma) and spotted skink (O. lineoocellatum). Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were present on the island from 1862 until their eradication in 1962. Since then, vegetation on the island has changed from being tussock-dominated to being dominated by exotic weeds. Data from lizard pitfall trap surveys carried out in 1967-75 by Tony Whitaker of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) were compared with new pitfall trapping data to determine if changes in the lizard population had occurred in response to these vegetation changes. The abundance of O. n. polychroma and H. maculatus does not appear to change significantly. The distribution of these two species were significantly correlated but neither showed any preference for a particular type. The abundance of O. lineoocellatum was significantly greater in 1996/97 than in the earlier DSlR surveys. This could be a result of the vegetation becoming more open and more structurally complex since the early surveys. This would offer greater opportunities for O. lineoocellatum (which is strongly heliothermic) to thermoregulate and forage. O. lineoocellatum showed no consistent significant preference towards any habitat type, although they tended to be found more in 'margin' habitat. Research into pitfall trapping and the way lizard behaviour may influence pitfall trapping data needs to be undertaken as there is a possible trap bias in this study. Management of Motunau Island needs to ensure that a structurally complex environment is maintained to ensure high numbers of all three lizard species can continue to coexist.