The natural history of the sleepy lizard, Tiliqua rugosa (Gray, 1825) – Insight from chance observations and long‐term research on a common Australian skink species. (12th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Norval, Gerrut; Gardner, Michael G.
• Other Names: Gardner Michael G. guestEditor.; Godfrey Stephanie S. guestEditor.; Wapstra Erik guestEditor.; While Geoffrey guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Austral ecology. Volume 45:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 417
• Publication Date: 2019-03-12
• Subjects: bobtail lizard -- monogamy -- parasite‐host interaction -- shingleback lizard -- social network; Ecology -- Southern Hemisphere -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Australia -- Periodicals; 557
• DOI: 10.1111/aec.12715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1442-9985

Abstract

Abstract: In an effort to better understand the dynamics of the parapatric boundary in South Australia of the ticks Amblyomma limbatum and Bothriocroton hydrosauri the late Professor C. Michael Bull initiated studies into the ecology of sleepy lizards ( Tiliqua rugosa ), a common host of these parasites. These studies spanned a period of about 40 years and examined aspects such as monogamy, long‐term mate fidelity, social networks, personality, resource use and the transmission of parasites and other pathogens. This review incorporates the results of these studies with other information about this species to provide a comprehensive overview of its natural history, highlighting not only what is known, but also indicates areas that require further study.