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Second Survey of the Reptiles of Fitzroy Island Robert George Sprackland, Ph.D. The Virtual Museum of Natural
History The patterns of zoogeography for oceanic islands is fairly well studied; that for continental islands less so. In October 1999, I was able to conduct a brief survey of the animals of Fitzroy Island, Queensland, Australia (Fig. 1). Though brief, the survey recorded several species, officially, for the first time. Though the survey focused on the reptiles, insects and birds were also recorded. Prior to the survey, only one species of skink (Lygisaurus laevis) and one gecko (Nactus cheverti) had been recorded from Fitzroy Island in museum records. A second survey was conducted in August 2000, during the latter part of the dry season. Fewer species and specimens were seen this time, but the common species were still present in large numbers. This report summarizes the observations made on the second survey. Identification of specimens was based on Cogger (1999) and the help of J. Covacevich and P. Couper.
Study Area The areas surveyed were essentially identical to those of my first survey (Sprackland, 2000). This area included the grounds of the Fitzroy Island Resort and adjacent land along the northwestern coast of the island. Additional sites were at the ranger facilities on the northern tip of the island, and the Secret Garden path extending well into the forest near the northwestern end of the island.
The Reptiles The skinks (Carlia longipes and Egernia frerei) were by far the most commonly encountered lizards. Both were common in all habitats examined, most especially prevalent near the bungalows and along the Secret Garden path. Carlia males were displaying dull orange sides, probably a prelude to the impending breeding season. Egernia were observed mating on three occasions: twice near the bungalows and once near the base of the Secret Garden path. Lygisaurus laevis (Fig. 2) was also common, restricted to leaf litter in shaded areas. The swift movements of the lizards made it difficult to ascertain how many were present. Sometimes one lizard was initially mistaken for several. Their appearance was identical to that observed in 1999, having a reddish head and tail color.
I observed many more Eulamprus brachysoma in 2000 than in 1999, and in two sites along the Secret Garden path there were groups of 5 and 9 individuals, respectively, in close proximity. Several specimens appeared gravid. Though they frequented well-shaded areas, almost all of the specimens I observed (20 of 28) were initially observed while basking in a spot of sunlight. Geckos were common, and included Gehyra variegata and Hemidactylus frenatus. Both were seen around lamps on resort buildings from twilight until about 2300hrs. A single juvenile specimen of the ground-dwelling gecko Nactus cheverti was found under palm fronds near the campgrounds east of the main resort. This specimen (Fig. 3) was taken about 30 meters northwest of where I found two adults the previous year. Unlike adults, juveniles lack a yellow head.
In 1999 I was only able to glimpse the large varanid (Varanus panoptes) that lives near the resort's main building. In 2000 I was able to observe the lizard on several occasions, all in the morning. In the early morning, the animal basks in the sunlight outside its burrow, and soon begins to forage near the shop and front lawn (Fig. 4). Much of its food presumably comes from the tourists, who toss it bits of sandwiches and snack foods. This specimen was confirmed as the same one observed in 1999 by its size (62 cm SVL) and the absence of approximately 20% of its tail.
Acknowledgements I extend my sincere thanks to Jeanette Covacevich and Patrick Couper (Queensland Museum) for providing work space, access to the collection, and for identifying specimens. Aaron Bauer and George Zug kindly provided information on the newly resurrected species Nactus cheverti. George Zug and Chip Miller provided literature. Ranger Brendan Malone was helpful in many ways. This research was funded by Yorkshire Associated Producers, Ltd. and the Virtual Museum of Natural History.
Literature Cited: Macleay, W. 1878. The lizards of the "Chevert" expedition (Part 2). Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 2:97-104. Sprackland,
Robert. 2001. The reptiles of Fitzroy
Island. Reptilia 15: 56-60. Sprackland,
Robert. 2001a. Herpetofauna of Fitzroy
Island, Australia. Reptiles 9(9): 8-16. Zug, George. 1997. Australian populations of the Nactus pelagicus complex (Reptilia: Gekkonidae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 42(2):613-626. |
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