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Sex identification in the eastern blue‐tongued lizard ( Tiliqua scincoides White, ex Shaw, 1790) using morphometrics
Author(s) -
Phillips CA,
Roffey JB,
Hall E,
Johnson RSP
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12429
Subject(s) - snout , morphometrics , lizard , trunk , sexual dimorphism , population , anatomy , zoology , biology , ecology , demography , sociology
Objective To establish a repeatable, well‐tolerated, non‐invasive technique for sex identification in eastern blue‐tongued lizards ( Tiliqua scincoides ). Methods Measurements were obtained from 69 free living eastern blue‐tongued lizards presented for treatment that were either deceased on arrival or subsequently euthanased on welfare grounds. Weight, head width (H), snout vent length ( SVL ) and trunk length (T) were recorded. Ratios for head width to snout vent length (H/ SVL %) and head width to trunk length (H/T%) were calculated. Sex was identified at necropsy. Results Evidence of sexual dimorphism in this population was shown. However, the degree of difference was subtle, requiring the use of ratios in order to refine the technique. Ratios of H/ SVL % and H/T% showed significant predictability with respect to sex identification in both adult and sub‐adult lizards. Conclusion This study established a protocol for a repeatable, non‐invasive technique for sex identification in the eastern blue‐tongued lizard ( Tiliqua scincoides ) and provides a normal reference range.