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Mallee military dragon

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Mallee dragon
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Ctenophorus
Species:
C. fordi
Binomial name
Ctenophorus fordi
(Storr, 1965)[1]
Distribution of Ctenophorus fordi
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Amphibolurus fordi
    (Storr, 1965)
  • Phthanodon fordi
    (Storr, 1965)
  • Phthanodon hawkeswoodi
    (Wells & Wellington, 1985)

Ctenophorus fordi, commonly known as the Mallee dragon, Mallee military dragon,[3] or Mallee sand-dragon,[2] is a species of agamid lizard occurring in the arid parts of southern Australia.[3][1]

Description

Adult Mallee dragons range in colour from yellow-brown to reddish-brown, with a pale midlateral stripe, head and body flecked with dark brown or black, and a white underside. The throat of males is marked with black spots or bars, which often connect to form a 'V' shape. Adults have a total length (including tail) of 16.5–19 cm (6.5–7.5 in).[4][5][6] Their lifespan is short, only around 12–18 months.[6]

Distribution

Mallee dragons are found throughout the arid to semi-arid parts of south-eastern Western Australia, across central South Australia to north-western Victoria, into north-western and central-western New South Wales, as well as into a small portion of south-western Queensland.[4][5][7][6]

Ecology and behaviour

The Mallee dragon lives in sandy arid to semi-arid areas of Mallee woodland and spinifex, as well as vegetated sand dunes.[7][8] They prefer areas of Mallee that haven't been burnt for around 30 years, when spinifex cover is at its maximum.[9] Emerging from dormancy in August, males appear about four weeks earlier than females.[6] Active even on very hot days, they forage in sandy, open areas, and will dash for cover into nearby grasses or low bushes if disturbed or pursued.[5][7][6] Males are territorial.[6]

Diet

One of only a few Australian lizard species specialized in eating ants, their limited diet consists primarily of ants.[4][10]

Reproduction

Mating occurs in spring. Multiple clutches of 2–3 eggs are deposited up to three times a season, with eggs hatching after 50–70 days.[6]

Conservation actions

Although considered to be of 'Least Concern' by the IUCN, the Mallee Dragon occurs in several protected areas, including the Mallee Cliffs National Park[11] and Yathong Nature Reserve in New South Wales, the Currawinya National Park in Queensland, and the Murray-Sunset National Park in Victoria.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Cogger, H.; Melville, J.; Wilson, S.; Craig, M. (2017). "Ctenophorus fordi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T83410150A83453708. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T83410150A83453708.en. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |last-author-amp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b Ctenophorus fordi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Ctenophorus fordi (Storr, 1965)". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Cogger, H. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Reed New Holland, Sydney, New South Wales, ISBN 1876334339
  5. ^ a b c Wilson, S., Swan, G. (2013) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, New Holland Publishers, Sydney, New South Wales, ISBN 9781921517280
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Swan, M., Watharow, S. (2005) Snakes, Lizards and Frogs of the Victorian Mallee, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia ISBN 0643091343
  7. ^ a b c Swan, G., Shea, G., Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales, Reed New Holland, Sydney, New South Wales, ISBN 187706906X
  8. ^ Pianka, E. R. (1972). "Zoogeography and speciation of Australian desert lizards: an ecological perspective". Copeia. 1972 (1): 127–145. doi:10.2307/1442789.
  9. ^ Nimmo, D. G.; Kelly, L. T; Spence-Bailey, L. M.; Watson, S. J.; Taylor, R. S.; Clarke, M. F.; Bennet, A. F. (2013). "Fire Mosaics and Reptile Conservation in a Fire‐Prone Region". Conservation Biology. 27 (2): 345–353. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01958.x. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |last-author-amp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Abensperg-Traun, M. M.; Steven, D. (1997). "Ant‐and termite‐eating in Australian mammals and lizards: a comparison". Austral Ecology. 22 (1): 9–17. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.1997.tb00637.x. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |last-author-amp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "Review of Environmental Factors: Proposed construction and operation of conservation fencing and associated infrastructure and reintroduction of locally extinct mammals in Mallee Cliffs National Park. Appendix 4 – Fauna species recorded during AWC surveys" (PDF). Envirokey. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 25 January 2020.

Further reading

  • Sadlier, R.A., Shea, G.M. (1989). "The reptiles of Mungo National Park and the Willandra Lakes region". Herpetofauna, 19(2), pp. 9–27.
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