This review synthesises research on the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard Aprasia parapulchella - a threatened species with life-history traits and habitat and dietary preferences that make it particularly vulnerable to decline. Further information on the ecology of A. parapulchella is required in order to develop effective approaches to conservation and management, particularly given the conservation status of the species. Aprasia parapulchella is a dietary specialist living in the burrows of small ants, the eggs and larvae of which it preys upon. It is late maturing (adult size probably attained in the third or fourth year of life), has a small clutch, is thought to be longlived and has specific habitat preferences. It has a strong association with landscapes that are characterised by outcroppings of lightly-embedded surface rocks. The lizard is associated with a particular suite of ant species and ground cover tending towards open native vegetation (grasses and shrubs) at most sites, but with regional differences. Although the highest densities have been recorded in areas without tree cover, the species has also been found in open-forest and woodland. The relative density of populations and the snout-vent length and weight of specimens reveal regional differences, suggesting that further analysis of the genetic status of the population across its range is warranted. There is still much to learn about the ecology of the species, in particular with respect to movement, breeding, dispersal and the relationship between lizards and ants. Further survey for new populations remains a key priority.
Abell, R., Brown, C., Finlayson, D., Lenz, S., Mayer, W., McCue, K., McQueen, K., Pillans, B., Rickard, M. and Strusz, D. 2008. Geology of the Australian Capital Territory. 1:100 000 scale map. Geological Society of Australia (ACT Division), Canberra.
Ballinger, R. E. 1979. Intraspecific variation in demography and life history of the lizard, Sceloporus jarrovi, Along an altitudinal gradient in southeastern Arizona. Ecology 60: 901-909.
,
Intraspecific variation in demography and life history of the lizard, Sceloporus jarrovi, Along an altitudinal gradient in southeastern Arizona
, Ecology
, vol. 60
(pg. 901
-909
) Barrer, P. 1992. A survey of Aprasia parapulchella along parts of the lower Molonglo River corridor. A report to the ACT Heritage Unit and the ACT Parks and Conservation Service Wildlife Research Unit. Canberra.
Belliure, J. and Carrascal, Luis M. 2002. Influence of heat transmission mode on heating rates and on the selection of patches for heating in a Mediterranean lizard. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 75: 369-376.
,
Influence of heat transmission mode on heating rates and on the selection of patches for heating in a Mediterranean lizard
, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology
, vol. 75
(pg. 369
-376
) Brown, G. W. 2009. Field surveys for the endangered Pinktailed Worm Lizard Aprasia parapulchella around Bendigo, north-central Victoria. A report to the Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Sustainability and the Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria.
,
Field surveys for the endangered Pinktailed Worm Lizard Aprasia parapulchella around Bendigo, north-central Victoria
, A report to the Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority
Cogger, H. G. 1992. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 5th Edition. Reed Books, Chatswood, Australia.
,
Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia
Davies, K. F., Margules, C. R. and Lawrence, J. F. 2004. A synergistic effect puts rare, specialized species at greater risk of extinction. Ecology 85: 265-271.
,
A synergistic effect puts rare, specialized species at greater risk of extinction
, Ecology
, vol. 85
(pg. 265
-271
) De Lisle, H. F. 1996. The Natural History of Monitor Lizards. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida.
,
The Natural History of Monitor Lizards
Dunham, A. E., Grant, B. W. and Overall, K. L. 1989. Interfaces between biophysical and physiological ecology and the population ecology of terrestrial vertebrate ectotherms. Physiological Zoology 62: 335-355.
,
Interfaces between biophysical and physiological ecology and the population ecology of terrestrial vertebrate ectotherms
, Physiological Zoology
, vol. 62
(pg. 335
-355
) Ecology Partners Pty Ltd 2009. Hume highway duplication: threatened reptile monitoring 2007/08, New South Wales. Unpublished report for Roads and Traffic Authority. Ecology Parners Pty Ltd, Brunswick, Victoria.
Garrick, D. 2008. Body surface temperature and length in relation to the thermal biology of lizards. Bioscience Horizons 1: 136-142.
,
Body surface temperature and length in relation to the thermal biology of lizards
, Bioscience Horizons
, vol. 1
(pg. 136
-142
) Ghiselin, M. T. 1974. The Economy of Nature and the Evolution of Sex. University of California Press, Berkeley.
,
The Economy of Nature and the Evolution of Sex
Henle, K. 1989. Ecological segregation in an assemblage of diurnal lizards in arid Australia. PhD Thesis. Australian National University. Canberra.
Ivlev, V. S. 1961. Experimental Ecology of the Feeding of Fishes. Yale University Press, Connecticut.
,
Experimental Ecology of the Feeding of Fishes
Jaksic, F. M. and Greene, H. W. 1984. Empirical evidence of non-correlation between tail loss frequency and predation intensity on lizards. Oikos 42: 407-411.
,
Empirical evidence of non-correlation between tail loss frequency and predation intensity on lizards
, Oikos
, vol. 42
(pg. 407
-411
) Jenkins, R. W. G. and Bartell, R. J. 1980. A Field Guide to Reptiles of the Australian High Country. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
,
A Field Guide to Reptiles of the Australian High Country
Jennings, W. B., Pianka, E. R. and Donnellan, S. 2003. Systematics of the lizard family Pygopodidae with implications for the diversification of Australian temperate biotas. Systematic Biology 52: 757 - 780.
,
Systematics of the lizard family Pygopodidae with implications for the diversification of Australian temperate biotas
, Systematic Biology
, vol. 52
(pg. 757
-780
) Jones, S. 1992. Habitat relationships, diet and abundance of the endangered Pygopodid, Aprasia parapulchella in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding New South Wales. B. App. Sc. (Honours) Thesis. University of Canberra. Canberra.
Jones, S. R. 1999. Conservation biology of the Pink-tailed Legless Lizard Aprasia parapulchella. PhD thesis. PhD thesis. University of Canberra. Canberra.
Kotsonis, A. and Joyce, B. 2003. Regolith mapping at Bendigo, and its relationship to gold in Central Victoria, Australia. In: Advances in Regolith (I. C. Roach (ed.)) pp. 239-243. CRC LEME.
McIntyre, S. and Tongway, D. 2005. Grassland structure in native pastures: links to soil surface condition. Ecological Management & Restoration 6: 43-50.
,
Grassland structure in native pastures: links to soil surface condition
, Ecological Management & Restoration
, vol. 6
(pg. 43
-50
) Medel, R. G., Jimenez, J. E., Fox, S. F. and Jaksic, F. M. 1988. Experimental evidence that high population frequencies of lizard tail autotomy indicate inefficient predation. Oikos 53: 321-324.
,
Experimental evidence that high population frequencies of lizard tail autotomy indicate inefficient predation
, Oikos
, vol. 53
(pg. 321
-324
) Michael, D. R. 2004. Distribution, habitat preferences and conservation status of reptiles in the Albury-Wodonga region. The Victorian Naturalist 121: 180-193.
,
Distribution, habitat preferences and conservation status of reptiles in the Albury-Wodonga region
, The Victorian Naturalist
, vol. 121
(pg. 180
-193
) Michael, D. R. 2007. A reptile survey on Nail Can Hill Flora and Fauna Reserve: summary of results. Unpublished report to GHD, Wodonga, Victoria.
Michael, D. R., Cunningham, R. B. and Lindenmayer, D. B. 2008. A forgotten habitat? Granite inselbergs conserve reptile diversity in fragmented agricultural landscapes. Journal of Applied Ecology 45: 1742-1752.
,
A forgotten habitat
, Granite inselbergs conserve reptile diversity in fragmented agricultural landscapes. Journal of Applied Ecology
, vol. 45
(pg. 1742
-1752
) Michael, D. R. and Herring, M. W. 2005. Habitat of the pink-tailed worm lizard Aprasia parapulchella in Albury, NSW. Herpetofauna 35: 103 - 111.
,
Habitat of the pink-tailed worm lizard Aprasia parapulchella in Albury, NSW
, Herpetofauna
, vol. 35
(pg. 103
-111
) Mikhail, E. H. 1976. Soils of the Bendigo District. Soil survey report No. 56. Department of Agriculture, Victoria.
,
Soils of the Bendigo District
, Soil survey report No. 56
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 1999. Recovery Plan for the Pink-tailed Worm Lizard. Draft for public comment. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville, NSW.
Osborne, W. S., Lintermans, M. and Williams, K. D. 1991. Distribution and conservation status of the endangered Pinktailed Legless Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella) (Kluge). Research Report 5. ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Canberra.
,
Distribution and conservation status of the endangered Pinktailed Legless Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella) (Kluge)
, Research Report 5
Osborne, W. S. and McKergow, F. V. C. 1993. Distribution, population density and habitat of the Pink-tailed Legless Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella) in Canberra Nature Park. Technical Report No. 3. ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Canberra.
,
Distribution, population density and habitat of the Pink-tailed Legless Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella) in Canberra Nature Park
, Technical Report No. 3
Patchell, F. C. and Shine, R. 1986. Food habits and reproductive biology of the Australian legless lizards (Pygopodidae). Copeia 1986: 30-39.
,
Food habits and reproductive biology of the Australian legless lizards (Pygopodidae)
, Copeia
, vol. 1986
(pg. 30
-39
) Pettit, N. E., Froend, R. H. and Ladd, P. G. 1995. Grazing in remnant woodland vegetation: changes in species composition and life form groups. Journal of Vegetation Science 6: 121-130.
,
Grazing in remnant woodland vegetation: changes in species composition and life form groups
, Journal of Vegetation Science
, vol. 6
(pg. 121
-130
) Pough, F. H. and Gans, C. 1982. The Vocabulary of Reptilian Thermoregulation. In: Biology of the Reptilia (C. Gans (ed)) pp. 17-23. New York: Academic Press.
,
The Vocabulary of Reptilian Thermoregulation
, Biology of the Reptilia
(pg. 17
-23
) Purvis, A., Gittleman, J. L., Cowlishaw, G. and Mace, G. M. 2000. Predicting extinction risk in declining species. Proceedings: Biological Sciences 267: 1947-1952.
,
Predicting extinction risk in declining species
, Proceedings: Biological Sciences
, vol. 267
(pg. 1947
-1952
) Rankin, P. R. 1976. A note on the possible diversionary defence mechanism in the worm lizard Aprasia parapulchella Kluge. Herpetofauna 8: 18-19.
,
A note on the possible diversionary defence mechanism in the worm lizard Aprasia parapulchella Kluge
, Herpetofauna
, vol. 8
(pg. 18
-19
) Riley, J., Stimson, A. F. and Winch, J. M. 1985. A review of Squamata ovipositing in ant and termite nests. Herpetological Review 16: 38-43.
,
A review of Squamata ovipositing in ant and termite nests
, Herpetological Review
, vol. 16
(pg. 38
-43
) Robertson, P. and Heard, G. W. 2008. Report on field surveys for the Pink-tailed Worm Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella) in the Bendigo region, central Victoria: distributiion, habitat, associations and population attributes. Report prepared for Department of Sustainability and Environment. Wildife Profiles Pty Ltd, Heidelberg, Victoria.
,
Report on field surveys for the Pink-tailed Worm Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella) in the Bendigo region, central Victoria: distributiion, habitat, associations and population attributes
, Report prepared for Department of Sustainability and Environment
Robinson, W. A. 1996. Ant communities in the grasslands of the Australian Capital Territory and the role of ants in the ecology of the pink-tailed legless lizard, Aprasia parapulchella. Masters of Applied Sciences Thesis. University of Canberra. Canberra.
,
Ant communities in the grasslands of the Australian Capital Territory and the role of ants in the ecology of the pink-tailed legless lizard, Aprasia parapulchella
, Masters of Applied Sciences Thesis
Rummery, C., Shine, R., Houston, D. L. and Thompson, M. B. 1995. Thermal biology of the Australian forest dragon, Hypsilurus spinipes (Agamidae). Copeia 1994: 818-827.
,
Thermal biology of the Australian forest dragon, Hypsilurus spinipes (Agamidae)
, Copeia
, vol. 1994
(pg. 818
-827
) Sass, S., Watson, D. and Wilson, A. 2008. The reptile fauna of the upper Billabong Creek catchment area, southern New South Wales. Herpetofauna 38: 41-50.
,
The reptile fauna of the upper Billabong Creek catchment area, southern New South Wales
, Herpetofauna
, vol. 38
(pg. 41
-50
) Schoener, T. W. 1979. Inferring the properties of predation and other injury-producing agents from injury frequency. Ecology 60: 1110-1115.
,
Inferring the properties of predation and other injury-producing agents from injury frequency
, Ecology
, vol. 60
(pg. 1110
-1115
) Tinkle, D. W. and Ballinger, R. E. 1972. Sceloporus undulatus: a study of the intraspecific comparative demography of a lizard. Ecology 53: 570-584.
,
Sceloporus undulatus: a study of the intraspecific comparative demography of a lizard
, Ecology
, vol. 53
(pg. 570
-584
) Velásquez-Múnera, E., Ortiz-Reyes, A., Páez, V. and Guzmán-Restrepo, G. E. 2008. Oviposition of Stenorrhina degenhardti (Serpentes: Colubridae) in a nest of Acromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Revista Actualidades Biológicas 30: 193-193.
,
Oviposition of Stenorrhina degenhardti (Serpentes: Colubridae) in a nest of Acromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
, Revista Actualidades Biológicas
, vol. 30
(pg. 193
-193
) Wainer, J., Robertson, P. and Yen, A. in prep. Diet of the threatened Mallee Worm-Lizard (Aprasia aurita) and the Pinknosed Worm-Lizard (Aprasia inaurita) in north-western Victoria.
Wilson, S. and Swan, G. 2008. A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. 2nd Edition. New Holland Publishers (Australia), Sydney.
,
A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia
This content is only available as a PDF.
