Tympanocryptis pinguicolla
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla, also known as grassland earless dragon, is one of 15 documented species of a relatively small dragon belonging to the genus Tympanocryptis. Recognised as an endangered species. It is found at higher altitudes and in regions that have cooler temperatures than any other earless dragon. The grassland earless dragon is the only representative of the family Agamidae that is restricted to natural temperate grasslands.
| Tympanocryptis pinguicolla | |
|---|---|
| |
| Tympanocryptis pinguicolla | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Tympanocryptis |
| Species: | T. pinguicolla
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tympanocryptis pinguicolla | |
Description
It ranges from 50-70 mm snout-vent length, with a head to tail length generally less than 150 mm.
The grassland earless dragon is light to dark brown dorsally, with three thin white lines running the length of the body, which separate darker transverse patches into individual segments. Some individuals have yellow or orange colouration on the throat, sides of the head, flanks, ventral surface, groin and under the tail.
Females are oviparous.
Habitat and distribution
Remnant populations live in Canberra and Cooma, New South Wales. It was historically found in Victoria, but is now presumed to be extinct there.[1]
Specimens are found in natural temperate grasslands, dominated by wallaby grasses (Austrodanthonia spp.), spear grasses (Austrostipa spp.), tussock grasses (Poa spp.) and possibly Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra). Less than 1% of native temperate grasslands remain.[2] Preferring sites with both taller tussock and shorter grasses.
Loss of habitat after European settlement has seen numbers drop dramatically. Sustained high-intensity grazing that leaves little or no ground cover is likely detrimental, particularly in areas with few surface rocks.[3] Generally not present where native grassland has been substantially modified through cultivation (ploughing or cropping).
Cultivation results in changes to plant species composition, structure and possibly food availability (arthropods) that is likely to result in severe degradation or complete removal of suitable habitat for the species.
"Observations indicate that arthropod burrows, surface rocks, or other similar refuge sites may be necessary for the continued persistence of populations of dragons, by providing thermal refugia (Nelson 2004)."[3]
They are known to make use of arthropod burrows (in ACT) but they have also been known to make shelters underneath rocks (in Vic). Shelter sites may vary with season and local environmental conditions. Soil disturbance, such as ploughing or compaction, might also result in destruction of arthropod burrows (shelter sites) and possibly a reduction in the abundance, at least in the short-term, of burrow forming arthropods.
A radio-tracking study found that "burrows excavated by arthropods are an important resource for grassland earless dragons, with individuals having one or two home burrows around which they maintained home ranges of between 925 m2 and 4768 m2."[2]
"May survive short-term disturbance from fire (Nelson et al. 1998a)."[3]
Reproduction
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla lays 3-6 eggs in late spring or early summer. Young hatch in late summer (possibly disperse soon after hatching), grow to adult size rapidly (by late autumn-early winter), mate the following spring, and often die within one year of birth. Can reach the age of 5 within captivity.
References
- ^ Melville, Goebel, Starr, Keogh, Austin. "Conservation genetics and species status of an endangered Australian dragon, Tympanocryptis pinguicolla (Reptilia: Agamidae)" (PDF). Retrieved 11 May 2018.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help); Check date values in:|archive-date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Stevens, Evans, Osborne, Sarre (2009). "Home ranges of, and habitat use by, the grassland earless dragon (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla) in remnant native grasslands near Canberra". Retrieved 11 May 2018.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/43f24013-b621-4ff6-bf09-34da942e8ced/files/tympanocryptis-pinguicolla.pdf