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Individual markings are a reliable non-invasive means of identification over time in blotched blue-tongued lizards, Tiliqua Nigrolutea
Citation
Edwards, A and Gardner, CL, Individual markings are a reliable non-invasive means of identification over time in blotched blue-tongued lizards, Tiliqua Nigrolutea, Herpetofauna, 40, (1) pp. 26-29. ISSN 0725-1424 (2011) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2011 ACT Herpetological Association.
Official URL: http://www.actha.org.au/
Abstract
Pattern is often used by zoologists who wish to
uniquely identify an individual animal within
a population. For pattern to prove a reliable
method of identification, it must be both
unique and constant through time, as has
been demonstrated in species such as
badgers (Dixon, 2003), polar bears (Ander-
son & Waterman, 2007) and grey nurse
sharks (Bansemer & Bennett, 2008).
However, few studies have assessed the con-
stancy of pattern elements in reptiles, which
are often identified instead by implanting PIT
tags (Jemison et al., 1995; Hilterman et al.,
2007) or by toe-clipping (Sacchi et al., 2007).
For some studies, pattern may be a less intru-
sive and more potentially reliable method of
distinguishing individuals.
There is currently no information available on
pattern stability in the blotched blue-tongued
lizard (Tiliqua nigrolutea). Markings displayed
by blotched blue-tongue lizards are a combi-
nation of pale blotches and bands on a black
background, and differences in these patterns
between individuals are immediately distin-
guishable. However, it is not enough simply to
state that these patterns appear unchanged
over time, they must be quantified and scored
in some way to confirm that this is so. This
project has investigated whether pattern
remains sufficiently constant over time to be
used as a reliable method of individual iden-
tification in T. nigrolutea.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Zoology |
Research Field: | Vertebrate biology |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Other environmental management |
Objective Field: | Other environmental management not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Edwards, A (Dr Ashley Edwards) |
UTAS Author: | Gardner, CL (Miss Claire Gardner) |
ID Code: | 69837 |
Year Published: | 2011 |
Deposited By: | Zoology |
Deposited On: | 2011-05-23 |
Last Modified: | 2017-10-31 |
Downloads: | 3 View Download Statistics |
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