The effect of habitat fragmentation and livestock grazing on animal communities in remnants of gimlet Eucalyptus salubris woodland in the Western Australian wheatbelt. II. Lizards.
Abstract
The study examined relationships between habitat and biogeographic variables and the presence of lizard groups and individual lizard species in remnants of gimlet Eucalyptus salubris woodland in Western Australia. The lizard species found in various gimlet woodland remnants are sub-sets of those found prior to fragmentation. Regression analysis showed that woody litter, percentage shrub cover and number of trees were the only habitat variables to influence species richness of the lizard taxa. Area, connectivity and distance to the nearest native vegetation were the only biogeographical variables to influence species richness of geckos, other lizard species and total lizards. Three individual species showed no significant relationships with any variables, whereas three species had significant relationships with variables related to cover/shelter only. Disturbance from sheep grazing and trampling had no influence on the species richness of the different lizard taxa, but may have influenced the persistence of individual species in some remnants. The implications of these findings for management of remnant vegetation are discussed.