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Feeding ecology of the Tasmanian spotted skink, Niveoscincus ocellatus (Squamata : Scincidae)

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posted on 2023-05-16, 10:22 authored by Erik WapstraErik Wapstra, Swain, R
The feeding ecology of the spotted skink, Niveoscincus ocellatus, was examined over a 6-month period, from October to March, with additional data from one sample in midwinter. The investigation considered feeding activity, dietary composition and foraging strategy. Feeding activity,measured by stomach fullness, was unrelated to age, sex or reproductive status and showed little variation during the warmer months; in winter feeding was greatly reduced. N. ocellatus exhibits flexible foraging behaviour; a wide variety of terrestrial arthropods is taken opportunistically in accordance with a wide ranging foraging strategy. However, the consistent occurrence of cryptic and hidden prey indicates that active search foraging is also utilised. No evidence for ambush predation was found and, unlike many other small skinks, few arboreal or aerial prey are included in the diet, even though the habitat is rock scree and woodland where such prey abound. No evidence for any in a specific partitioning of diet based on kind or size of prey was obtained although a slight, but significant, correlation exists between maximum prey size and lizard size.

History

Publication title

Australian Journal of Zoology

Volume

44

Pagination

205-13

ISSN

0004-959X

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

Place of publication

Melbourne, Australia

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences

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