An assessment of the Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar population at Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve, St Albans, Victoria Prepared by Megan O Shea July 2013 for Brimbank City Council
Contents Summary 1 Introduction 2 The Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar.. 2 Methods.. 3 Study site 3 Survey points. 3 Survey method.. 3 Striped Legless Lizard data collection.. 5 Results 6 Discussion 7 Recommendations.. 10 References 11 Appendix 1 Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar Survey Data 13 Appendix 2 Striped Legless Lizard data cards 17
Summary A survey for Striped Legless Lizards Delma impar was conducted using two roof tile grids at Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve in 2006. A total of 650 tile turns were conducted over 11 occasions to yield 47 observations of Striped Legless Lizards. Twenty-one individuals were captured and a further four individuals were identified from sloughs. Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve appears to support a relatively dense population of Striped Legless Lizards, although further survey work needs to be undertaken to assess the recruitment capabilities of this population. Denton Avenue Grassland also supports a good diversity of other reptile species. In conjunction with the floristic diversity and connections to nearby grassland remnants and Striped Legless Lizard populations, the site has significant local and national conservation values. 1
Introduction Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve is recognised as a site of botanical significance in the western region of Melbourne, supporting a remnant of the threatened community Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain and populations of taxa that are listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 and/or the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee (FFG) Act 1988 (McDougall, 1987; Deakin & Watson, 1992; Botanicus Australia, 2000). The vegetation at Denton Avenue Grassland also supports a population of the threatened Striped Legless Lizard D. impar (Deakin & Watson, 1992; West, 1998). There are a range of significant conservation values at this site, giving rise to a complexity of management issues. The Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar The Striped Legless Lizard is a small, cryptic, semi-fossorial animal that is a specialist of the temperate lowland grasslands of south-eastern Australia (Coulson, 1990). It has the southern-most distribution of the family of flapfooted lizards (Pygopodidae) which are endemic to the Australian region (Greer, 1989). Across its range, there has been a large reduction in the extent and quality of native grassland vegetation since European colonisation (Commonwealth of Australia, 2011). Habitat loss is the greatest contributor to the demise of this species (Smith & Robertson, 1999) and it is also sensitive to processes that lead to habitat degradation, such as cultivation and heavy grazing (Dorrough & Ash, 1999). The Striped Legless Lizard is internationally recognised as a threatened species (IUCN, 2011). It is listed as a vulnerable under the EPBC Act 1999 and is also listed under relevant states legislations, including the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Although there are eleven species of pygpodid that are found in Victoria, the Striped Legless Lizard is most likely to be the only one that occurs within the Brimbank municipality. Indeed, it has been recorded from at least 12 locations within Brimbank and is a locally iconic species of high regional significance. The purpose of this study is determine whether Striped Legless Lizards persist at Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve, and assess characteristics of the population that may be used to inform management actions. 2
Methods Study Site Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve consists of a 7.6 hectare native grassland remnant wedged between St. Albans Road, Denton Avenue and the Western Ring Road, St. Albans (Botanicus Australia 2000) (Fig. 1). The Map Grid of Australia (MGA) coordinates are Zone 55H E 307432 N 5817957. Most of the site is zoned for Public Park and Recreation (PPRZ) purposes under the Brimbank Planning Scheme, with a small section of Victrack land zoned for Public Use Transport (PUZ4). Prior to European colonisation, the site would have been contiguous with the expansive grasslands of the Victorian volcanic plains. The Brimbank area was subdivided in the mid 1800 s for sheep grazing purposes. In the mid 1900 s the Sunshine tip occupied at least part of what is now Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve and the site was designated as a freeway easement in 1949 (Deakin & Watson, 1992). Operations to salvage Striped Legless Lizards that were in the path of the construction of the Western Ring Road were conducted in 1992 (West, 1998) and the animals were used to establish a captive colony at Melbourne Zoo. Survey Points Surveys for the striped legless lizard were conducted at two points across the reserve: the eastern grid and the western grid (Fig. 1). The gross habitat characteristics of these survey points are as follows: The Eastern Grid slightly elevated, rocky, vegetation a mix of native and exotic tussock grasses with some native and exotic forbs. Some litter present. The Western Grid Flat, vegetation dominated by a closed sward of Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra. Forbs present, including a large expanse of Flax lily Dianella sp. Survey Method Each survey grid consisted of 50 tiles spaced at five metre intervals in five rows of ten tiles each. Tiles were positioned between grass tussocks, with an effort to ensure that they lay flat and stable on the ground. Roof tile survey grids were established at the site in January 2006. Two preliminary inspections of the Western roof tile grid were conducted during January and February 2006, even though these months are not the optimum time for D. impar surveys. All subsequent monitoring was conducted on ten occasions between the months of September and December 2006. These dates fall within the recommended roof tile survey period for D. impar and efforts were employed to undertake surveys during recognised suitable weather conditions (O Shea, 2005). Table 1 provides a summary of the monitoring schedule. 3
Figure 1. Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve and the location of Striped Legless Lizard survey grids. Source image from GoogleEarth (1 January 2009). 4
Table 1. A summary of roof tile monitoring survey dates. Date Eastern Grid Western Grid 20 January 2006-16 February 2006-13 September 2006-17 September 2006-30 September 2006 22 October 2006-30 October 2006-23 November 2006 7 December 2006-8 December 2006-21 December 2006 - Total tile turns 250 400 Monitoring involved lifting the roof tile to observe if animals were sheltering underneath. If Striped Legless Lizards were present, attempts were made to capture the animal/s for collection of morphometric data. Roof tiles were carefully returned to their original position amongst the vegetation. For each survey event, the following information was recorded: date; start time; end time; ambient temperature (start); ambient temperature (end); temperature under roof tiles; and presence of any vertebrate species. Striped Legless Lizard Data Collection Where Striped Legless Lizards were observed sheltering under roof tiles, attempts were made to carefully capture the animals by hand. Upon capture a range of morphometric data was immediately recorded for each individual. Following this, the animal/s were released under the tile from which they were captured, before proceeding with the remainder of the monitoring activity. The information recorded for each individual Striped Legless Lizard was: point of capture (tile location); snout-vent length; total length; presence of visible tail autotomy; sex; weight; and a photograph of the arrangement of the dorsal head scales for individual identification purposes (see O Shea, 2005). 5
Where Striped Legless Lizard sloughs were located under tiles, the slough was carefully removed, sealed in a zip-lock bag and appropriately labelled with date and tile location data. If the slough contained any portion of the head scales, these were photographed for comparison with head scale images taken from live individuals. In some instances it was possible to determine from which individual the sloughs had been shed. The condition of captured animals was calculated for males that did not display evidence of tail autotomy, as per the method described by O Shea (2005). This length to weight ratio was calculated for nine animals. Results Reptiles were the only vertebrates observed under the roof tiles, of which there were four species: Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar Tussock Skink Pseudemoia pagenstecheri Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard Tiliqua scincoides Eastern Tiger Snake Notechis scutatus. In total, there were 47 observations of Striped Legless Lizards, half (23) of which were captured for the collection of demographic information. This resulted in the identification of 21 individuals, with two recaptures. The overall rate of observations was 7.2 Striped Legless Lizards per 100 tile-turns. A total of 16 sloughs were collected from under roof tiles and from these it was possible to identify a further four individuals within the population, although no demographic data for these individuals could be obtained. Table 2 provides a summary of the survey data. A complete set of survey data can be located in Appendix 1. Table 2. A summary of roof tile survey results. Figures in brackets represent the rate of observations per 100 tile turns. Number and rate of observations Species Eastern Grid Western Grid D. impar observations 15 (6) 32 (8) D. impar captured 6 (2.4) 15 (3.75) D. impar sloughs 2 (0.8) 14 (3.5) P. pagenstecheri 11 (4.4) 7 (1.75) T. scincoides 2 (0.8) 0 (0) N. scutatus 2 (0.8) 1 (0.25) Of the 21 individuals captured, 15 were male and 6 were female; an overall ratio of 2.5 males per female. This male biased ratio was consistent across the two grids, with an average ratio of 2.65 males per female. All captured animals were mature individuals, based on the assumptions made by O Shea (2005) (Fig. 2). 6
Figure 2. The proportion of captures within each of the size class categories described by O Shea (2005). The pink represents the hatchling category, blue represents juvenile categories and green represents adult categories. The condition factor of male D. impar with complete tails ranged from 0.26632 to 0.362506, with an average condition factor of 0.299971 (n=9). Discussion Denton Avenue Grassland continues to support a diverse range of reptiles that is consistent with those reported by West (1998), with the addition of the Eastern Tiger Snake. What appears to be a healthy population of the threatened Striped Legless Lizard continues to persist. The combined floristic and faunal diversity, including the documented presence of at least four threatened species, significantly contributes to the conservation value of this site. Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve is an important part of a network of remnant grassland sites along Jones Creek that support Striped Legless Lizard populations (O Shea, 2010). Other areas of remnant vegetation that support the species in the Jones Creek catchment include the private land at Jonesfield Corner and 103 Reid Street, Pimelea Terrace grassland, the Jones Creek corridor adjacent to Victoria University, the two Victoria University grasslands, Iramoo Wildlife Reserve and Howardson Circuit grassland (Fig. 3). Prior to development, these sites would have been part of a continuous grassland habitat for Striped Legless Lizards. Areas of open space along the Jones Creek corridor and the former Sunshine Tip that do not currently support remnant grassland vegetation may be suitable for revegetation works that would potentially restore Striped Legless Lizard habitat and improve connectivity between remnants in the Jones Creek 7
catchment. Improved connectivity and appropriate management of this Striped Legless Lizard metapopulation will help to ensure the long-term persistence of the species within the Jones Creek catchment. There is no reliable method for assessing the size of Striped Legless Lizard populations. Instead, cautious comparisons can be made over time and against known reference sites. The nearby grassland at Iramoo Wildlife Reserve supports a nationally significant population of the species which has been studied over several years. The rates of observation of Striped Legless Lizards under roof tiles at Iramoo Wildlife Reserve that have been reported are 4.3 SLL per 100 tile-turns (O Shea, 2005) and 2.5 SLL per 100 tile-turns (O Shea, 2012). Caution needs to be applied with interpretation of the first figure, as the survey methods were not directly comparable. In comparison to Iramoo Wildlife Reserve, a high frequency of observations (7.2 SLL per 100 tile-turns) was recorded at Denton Avenue Grasslands. This may simply be due to different prevailing weather conditions between the studies, but is nonetheless an encouraging result that suggests a high density population persists at the site. Little is understood about the structure of Striped Legless Lizard populations. Wide variations have been documented in sex ratios (Rauhala, 1999; Kimber & Timewell, 2001; Thompson, 2006) and O Shea (2005) suggests that this may, at least in part, be due to the seasonal timing of surveys, with males being more easily detected than females in early spring. The highly skewed sex ratio that was observed at Denton Avenue Grasslands may be a result of seasonal variation. Striped Legless Lizards are long-lived animals with a low fecundity (Banks et al., 1999) and populations tend to have a high proportion of adults with few juveniles and hatchlings. The roof tile survey method is not useful for assessing the presence of hatchlings and has limited capacity for assessing the presence of juveniles (O Shea, 2005). At Denton Avenue Grasslands, all Striped Legless Lizards captured were adults. However, it is concerning that the smallest size-class of adults (75 84mm) was missing from the data set. Further investigation is required to ensure that the population is actively reproducing. The average condition (Condition Index = 0.300) of Striped Legless Lizards at Denton Avenue Grasslands lies within the range of averages reported for Iramoo Wildlife Reserve (Condition Index range: 0.286 0.315). The presence of Striped Legless Lizards in remnant grasslands is most strongly associated with past management practices and opportunities for recolonisation (Dorrough & Ash, 1999). The species tends to be extirpated from isolated sites that have been heavily grazed or cultivated. The structural habitat requirements of the species remains unclear and it is thought that dense swards of tussock vegetation are preferable; although the species does persist at sites with reduced vertical structure and has also been recorded in vegetation that is in the early stages of recovery after fire (O Shea, 2005). 8
Figure 3. Grasslands of the Jones Creek Corridor. Source image from Google Earth (1 January 2009). 9
Vegetation management at Denton Avenue Grasslands has been guided by Cropper (1999) and Botanicus Australia (2000). Recommendations were that a maximum of one third of the site be burnt annually on a 3-5 year rotation, which would ensure that there is a good cover of vegetation across two-thirds of the site into which animals can retreat and recolonise from. This is a sensible approach to management. Because active population recruitment is a potential issue for the survival of the species at this site, it would be useful to develop a stronger decision framework around the frequency of burning of the habitat zones. Whilst a 3 5 year rotation may be suitable under average weather conditions, this regime may not be appropriate when more extreme conditions persist. This study was conducted in 2006, at a time when Melbourne was experiencing ongoing drought conditions and higher than average temperature regimes. It is possible that such conditions limit the capacity of females to produce viable eggs and reduce the survival of hatchlings. Biomass management of vegetation under such conditions may place further pressures on the reproductive capacity of the population. Recommendations Periodically assess the population of Striped Legless Lizards at Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve for evidence of population recruitment, with comparison to a local reference site that supports the species. Develop a decision framework for conducting disturbance activities, such as biomass reduction burns, which takes into consideration the frequency of disturbance, as well as the local conditions in the year preceding and at the time of proposed management activities. Protect and improve the connectivity between Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve and other populations of Striped Legless Lizards within the Jones Creek catchment area, particularly along the Jones Creek corridor, Jonesfield Corner area and the former Sunshine Tip site. Develop a strategy for the managing the metapopulation of Striped Legless Lizards and grassland habitat within the Jones Creek catchment. 10
References Banks, C.; Hawkes, T.; Birkett, J. and Vinctent, M. (1999) Captive management and breeding of the Striped Legless Lizard, Delma impar, at Melbourne Zoo. Herpetofauna 29(2): 18-30. Botanicus Australia (2000) Ongoing Monitoring of the Vegetation in the Denton Avenue Grassland Reserve: Year 1999 Assessment. Botanicus Australia, West Melbourne. Commonwealth of Australia (2011) Nationally Threatened Ecological Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. Coulson, G. (1990) Conservation Biology of the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar): An Initial Investigation. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research technical report series No. 106. Cropper, S. (1999) Vegetation Assessment and Management Plan for Denton Avenue Grassland. Botanicus Australia and Brimbank City Council, Sunshine. Deakin, C. and Watson, S. (1992) The Sunshine Grassland Reserve: Discussion Paper and Draft Management Plan. Unpublished. Dorrough, J. and Ash, J.E. (1999) Using past and present habitat to predict the current distribution and abundance of a rare cryptic lizard, Delma impar (Pygopodidae). Australian Journal of Ecology 24: 614-624. Greer, A.E. (1989) The Biology and Evolution of Australian Lizards. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton. IUCN (2011) Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Switzerland and UK. Kimber, S. and Timewell, C. (2001) Salvage of Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar at Cairnlea, Deer Park, Victoria. Unpublished progress report, Biosis Research, Port Melbourne. McDougall, K. (1987) Sites of Botanical Significance in the Western region of Melbourne. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Melbourne. O Shea, M.B. (2005) Methods for Assessment and Techniques for Management of Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar Populations in Southeastern Australia. Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Victoria University, Melbourne. 11
O Shea, M. (2010) A survey for the presence of Striped Legless Lizards Delma impar along the eastern bank of Jones Creek, St Albans. Interim report, Friends of Iramoo, Victoria. Rauhala, M.A. (1999) 1998 Monitoring Program for the Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar. Internal Report 99/1, Environment ACT, Australian Capital Territory. Smith, W.J.S. and Robertson, P. (1999) Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar National Recovery Plan 1999 2003. Environment Australia, Canberra. Thompson, M.J. (2006) The Use of Artificial Refuges to Census Populations of the Threatened Striped Legless Lizard, Delma impar in Western Victoria. Honours thesis, La Trobe University, Victoria. West, M. (1998) Survey to Establish the Status of Delma impar (Striped Legless Lizard) at the Denton Ave. Grasslands, St. Albans, Victoria. Ecoplan Australia Pty Ltd, Hurstbridge. 12
Appendix 1 Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar Survey Data Finish Time Start End Tile Date Start Time 20-Jan-06 Western grid surveyed ONLY ID Tile Species Number SVL TL Sex Weight West C8 D. impar (slough) West A7 D. impar (slough) West A7 D. impar (slough 1) Date Start Time Finish Time 16-Feb-06 10.00 Western grid surveyed ONLY Tile Species West B10 P. pagenstecheri West C3 D. impar (slough 2) Start Date Start Time Finish Time Start 13-Sep-06 11.20 Western Grid surveyed ONLY End Tile ID Number SVL TL Sex Weight End Tile Tile Species ID Number SVL TL Sex Weight West A1 D. impar 1 8.3 18.0* M 2.5 West A2 D. impar 2 8.5 19.1* M 5.2 West A3 D. impar West A3 D. impar West A6 D. impar West A7 D. impar West A9 D. impar West B7 D. impar 3 9.1 25.5* M 5.9 West C6 D. impar West C8 D. impar 4 9.3 18.2* F 4.5 West D10 D. impar West D6 N.scutatus West E3 D. impar 5 8.7 19.6* M 4.9 13
Date Start Time Finish Time Start 17-Sep-06 16.00 Western Grid surveyed ONLY End Tile Tile Species ID Number SVL TL Sex Weight East A2 T. scincoides East A6 D. impar 11 8.4 27.2 M 5.7 East A6 D. impar 15 8.4 15.6* M 3.3 East A7 P. pagenstecheri East B10 N. scutatus East B8 P. pagenstecheri East B6 D. impar East B4 P. pagenstecheri East B3 P. pagenstecheri East C1 D. impar East C4 D. impar 16 8.2 25.2 M 4.3 East C10 P. pagenstecheri East D10 D. impar 17 9.8 29.4 F? 6.4 East E1 T. scincoides East E2 P. pagenstecheri Date Start Time Finish Time Start End Tile 30-Sep-06 14.15 21 36 Tile Species ID Number SVL TL Sex Weight West A3 D. impar West A4 D. impar West A9 D. impar West A10 D. impar 6 8.8 27.5 F? 4.7 West B5 D. impar 7 8.8 29.2 M 6.4 West C4 D. impar West C9 D. impar 8 9.2 18.0* M 5.7 West D2 D. impar 9 9.2 27.4 M 5.8 West E1 D. impar West E3 D. impar West E5 D. impar 10 8.7 19.9* M 4.7 East A8 D. impar East A10 D. impar East B6 P. pagenstecheri East B4 D. impar 11 8.4 26.7 M 6.9 East B1 D. impar 12 9.4 27.7* M 8.2 East C1 D. impar East C3 D. impar East C10 D. impar 13 8.5 23.6* F 5.0 East E3 P. pagenstecheri East E5 N. scutatus 14
Date Start Time Finish Time 22-Oct-06 16.15 18 Western Grid Surveyed ONLY Start End Tile Tile Species ID Number SVL TL Sex Weight West A3 D. impar 18 8.9 26.6 M 6.1 West A3 D. impar 19 10.6 22.6* F 8.3 West A5 P. pagenstecheri West A8 D. impar West B8 D. impar West B3 D. impar 20 9.4 29.3 M 6.7 West C2 P. pagenstecheri West C5 D. impar 10 8.7 19.0* M 4.7 West C9 D. impar (slough) West C10 D. impar West D7 D. impar 21 8.4 26 M 5.5 West D2 D. impar (slough) West E7 P. pagenstecheri West E9 D. impar (slough) West E9 D. impar (slough) Date Start Time Finish Time 30-Oct-06 16.20 16.45 Eastern Grid Surveyed ONLY Tile East B6 East B5 East D1 East E2 Species Delma impar P. pagenstecheri P. pagenstecheri P. pagenstecheri Start End Tile ID Number SVL TL Sex Weight Date Start Time Finish Time Start End Tile 23-Nov-06 9.35 10.05 28 30 Western Grid Surveyed ONLY ID Tile Species Number SVL TL Sex Weight West E9 D. impar 22 10.1 30.2 F 8.2 West E5 D. impar (slough 3) Date Start Time Finish Time Start End Tile 23-Nov-06 12.35 12.55 34 34 Eastern Grid Surveyed ONLY ID Tile Species Number SVL TL Sex Weight East A4 D. impar East A6 D. impar (slough) 15 15
Date Start Time Finish Time Start End Tile 7-Dec-06 9.10 9.40 24 30 Eastern Grid Surveyed ONLY ID Tile Species Number SVL TL Sex Weight East E3 D. impar (slough) Date Start Time Finish Time Start End Tile 8-Dec-06 19.15 19.30 24 27 Western Grid Surveyed ONLY ID Tile Species Number SVL TL Sex Weight West A7 D. impar (slough 4) West A8 D. impar (slough) West B3 D. impar (slough) 18 West C2 P. pagenstecheri West A7 D. impar (slough) Date Start Time Finish Time Start End Tile 21-Dec-06 9.10 9.40 28 30 Western Grid Surveyed ONLY ID Tile Species Number SVL TL Sex Weight West A7 P. pagenstecheri West C7 P. pagenstecheri West E9 D. impar (slough) 16
Appendix 2 Striped Legless Lizard Data Cards 17
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 1 Sex: Male Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 13-9-06 West A1 8.3 18.0* 2.5 M. O Shea 18
Striped Legless Lizard 1 Denton Avenue Grassland 13 September 2006 19
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card ID Number: 2 Sex: Male Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 13-9-06 West A2 8.5 19.1* 5.2 M. O Shea 20
Striped Legless Lizard 2 Denton Avenue Grassland 13 September 2006 Striped Legless Lizard 2 Denton Avenue Grassland 13 September 2006 21
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card ID Number: 3 Sex: Male Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 13-9-06 West B7 9.1 25.5* 5.9 M. O Shea 22
Striped Legless Lizard 3 Denton Avenue Grassland 13 September 2006 23
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card ID Number: 4 Sex: Female Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 13-9-06 West C8 9.3 18.2* 4.5 M. O Shea 24
Striped Legless Lizard 4 Denton Avenue Grassland 13 September 2006 Striped Legless Lizard 4 Denton Avenue Grassland 13 September 2006 25
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card ID Number: 5 Sex: Male Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 13-9-06 West E3 8.7 19.6* 4.9 M. O Shea 26
Striped Legless Lizard 5 Denton Avenue Grassland 13 September 2006 Striped Legless Lizard 5 Denton Avenue Grassland 13 September 2006 27
Striped Legless Lizard 5 Denton Avenue Grassland 13 September 2006 28
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 6 Sex: Female? Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 30-9-06 West A10 8.8 27.5 4.7 M.O Shea 29
Striped Legless Lizard 6 - Denton Avenue Grassland 30 September 2006 30
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 7 Sex: Male Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 30-9-06 West B5 8.8 29.2 6.4 M.O Shea 31
Striped Legless Lizard 7 Denton Avenue Grassland 30 September 2006 32
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 8 Sex: Male Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 30-9-06 West C9 9.2 18.0* 5.7 M. O Shea 33
Striped Legless Lizard 8 Denton Avenue Grassland 30 September 2006 34
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 9 Sex: Male Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 30-9-06 West D2 9.2 27.4 5.8 M. O Shea 35
Striped Legless Lizard 9 Denton Avenue Grassland 30 September 2006 36
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 10 Sex: Male Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 30-9-06 West E5 8.7 19.9* 4.7 M. O Shea 37
Striped Legless Lizard 10 Denton Avenue Grassland 30 September 2006 38
Striped Legless Lizard 10 Denton Avenue Grassland 22 October 2006 39
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 11 Sex: Male Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 17-9-06 East A6 8.4 27.2 5.7 M. O Shea 30-9-06 East B4 8.4 26.7 6.9 M. O Shea 40
Striped Legless Lizard 11 Denton Avenue Grassland 30 September 2006 41
Striped Legless Lizard 11 Denton Avenue Grassland 17 September 2006 42
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 12 Sex: Male Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 30-9-06 East B1 9.4 27.7* 8.2 M. O Shea 43
Striped Legless Lizard 12 Denton Avenue Grassland 30 September 2006 44
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 13 Sex: Female Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 30-9-06 East C10 8.5 23.6* 5.0 M. O Shea 45
Striped Legless Lizard 13 Denton Avenue Grassland 30 September 2006 46
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 15 Sex: Male Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 17-9-06 East A6 8.4 15.6* 3.3 M. O Shea 23-11-06 East A6 - - - slough M. O Shea 47
Striped Legless Lizard 15 Denton Avenue Grassland 17 September 2006 48
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 16 Sex: Male Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 17-9-06 East C4 8.2 25.2 4.3 M. O Shea 49
Striped Legless Lizard 16 Denton Avenue Grassland 17 September 2006 50
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 17 Sex: Female? Date Site SVL Total L Weight Comments Signature Location (cm) (cm) (g) 17-9-06 East D10 9.8 29.4 6.4 M. O Shea 51
Striped Legless Lizard 17 Denton Avenue Grassland 17 September 2006 52
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 18 Sex: Male Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 22-10-06 West A3 8.9 26.6 6.1 M. O Shea 8-12-06 West B3 - - - Slough M. O Shea 53
Striped Legless Lizard 18 Denton Avenue Grassland 22 October 2006 54
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 19 Sex: Female Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 22-10-06 West A3 10.6 22.6* 8.3 M. O Shea 55
Striped Legless Lizard 19 Denton Avenue Grassland 22 October 2006 56
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 20 Sex: Male Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 22-10-06 West B3 9.4 29.3 6.7 M. O Shea 57
Striped Legless Lizard 20 Denton Avenue Grassland 22 October 2006 58
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 21 Sex: Male Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 22-10-06 West D7 8.4 26.0 5.5 M. O Shea 59
Striped Legless Lizard 21 Denton Avenue Grassland 22 October 2006 60
Striped Legless Lizard Data Card Denton Avenue Grassland, St. Albans ID Number: 22 Sex: Female Date Site Location SVL (cm) Total L (cm) Weight (g) Comments Signature 23-11-06 West E9 10.1 30.2 8.2 M. O Shea 61
Striped Legless Lizard 22 Denton Avenue Grassland 23 November 2006 62