Mallee military dragon

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Mallee military dragon

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Ctenophorus
Species:
C. fordi
Binomial name
Ctenophorus fordi
(Storr, 1965)[1]
Ctenophorus fordi distribution 2021 update.png
Distribution of Ctenophorus fordi
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Amphibolurus fordi
    (Storr, 1965)
  • Phthanodon fordi
    (Storr, 1965)
  • Phthanodon hawkeswoodi
    (Wells & Wellington, 1985)

The Mallee military dragon[3] (Ctenophorus fordi), also commonly known as the Mallee dragon or Mallee sand-dragon,[2] is a species of agamid lizard occurring in the arid parts of southern Australia.[3][1] The Mallee military dragon's specific name, fordi was named after Dr. Julian Ralph Ford (1932-1987).[2] Dr. Ford was an ornithologist, herpetologist and chemist who worked at the Western Australian Museum.[2] He collected the lizard holotype and many of the paratypes.[2]

Description[]

Ctenophorus fordi is a small endemic Australian lizard that grows to a maximum size of 5cm snout-vent length [4].C.fordi display a dark reddish-orange colouration with a pale dorso-lateral stripe extending from the posterior region of the neck to the anterior portion of the tail.[4] The pale stripe is bordered by a thin, black strip.[4] The dark orange-brown region enclosed by the pale stripe is flecked with small pale spots.[4]

Distribution[]

It is commonly found in south-eastern Western Australia, through central South Australia, and into the north-west corner of New South Wales and south-west corner of Queensland.[4][5] What were previously considered to be populations occurring in south-east South Australia, western Victoria and central New South Wales,[4] were reclassified in 2019 as a separate species; the Eastern Mallee dragon.[5]

Ecology and behaviour[]

The main habitat type for Mallee military dragons include shrubs and hummock grass.[2] The Mallee dragon lives in sandy arid to semi-arid areas of Mallee woodland and spinifex, as well as vegetated sand dunes.[6][7] They prefer areas of Mallee that haven't been burnt for around 30 years, when spinifex cover is at its maximum.[8]

Mallee military dragons emerge from dormancy in August, males appear about four weeks earlier than females.[9] 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.[10][6][9] Males are territorial.[9]

The signaling behaviour of C.Fordi is composed almost exclusively of head bobs, which both males and females produce when they encounter another individual [11]

Diet[]

The Mallee military dragon's diet largely consists of ants [12][13]

Reproduction[]

The Mallee military dragon reproduces sexually, with an oviparous and dioecious reproduction method.[14] Mating occurs in spring. Females produces sequential clutches of two to five eggs over the reproductive season and the offspring hatch from December to March.[14] Males are not territorial and there has been no evidence of male-male aggression.[14]

Conservation actions[]

The species is listed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as a species of 'Least concern'.[1] The Mallee military dragon occurs in several protected areas, including the Sturt National Park in New South Wales, and the Currawinya National Park in Queensland.[3][5]

Threats[]

The Mallee military dragon is vulnerable to various threats.[15] These include:

  • Habitat loss from land clearing, degradation by introduced species such as cattle and rabbits, and modification caused by climate change[15]
  • Death on roads[15]
  • Predation by introduced species such as dogs, cats, pigs, and foxes[15]
  • Threats from emerging diseases[15]

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. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Ctenophorus fordi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Ctenophorus fordi (Storr, 1965)". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Garcia J, R. D., Dyer A. (2013). Trade-off between camouflage and sexual dimorphism revealed by UV digital imaging: the case of Australian Mallee dragons (Ctenophorus fordi). The Journal of Experimental Biology 216, 4290-4298. https://doi.org/:10.1242/jeb.094045
  5. ^ a b c Sadlier, R. A.; Colgan, D.; Beatson, C. A. & Cogger, H. G. (2019). "Ctenophorus spinodomus sp. nov., a New Species of Dragon Lizard (Squamata: Agamidae) from Triodia Mallee Habitat of Southeast Australia". Records of the Australian Museum. 71 (5): 199–215. doi:10.3853/j.2201-4349.71.2019.1700.
  6. ^ a b 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
  7. ^ Pianka, E. R. (1972). "Zoogeography and speciation of Australian desert lizards: an ecological perspective". Copeia. 1972 (1): 127–145. doi:10.2307/1442789. hdl:2027.42/149326. JSTOR 1442789.
  8. ^ 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. PMID 23163245.
  9. ^ a b c Swan, M., Watharow, S. (2005) Snakes, Lizards and Frogs of the Victorian Mallee, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia ISBN 0643091343
  10. ^ Wilson, S., Swan, G. (2013) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, New Holland Publishers, Sydney, New South Wales, ISBN 9781921517280
  11. ^ Ramos J, P. R. (2017). Quantifying Ecological Constraints on Motion Signaling. Ecol Evol, 5, 1-14.
  12. ^ Cogger, H. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Reed New Holland, Sydney, New South Wales, ISBN 1876334339
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ a b c "Mallee Dragon". Encyclopedia of Life. National Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Mallee military dragon". Australian Reptile Online Database. Stewart Macdonald. Retrieved 20 February 2021.

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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