Haematology of the Sleepy Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) in Australia's cereal croplands, 2010
The qualities of these data include: (i) sound experimental design to detect a change between confounding factors, (ii) large sample size, (iii) microchipped animals, (iv) validated heamatological processing on the wild Australian lizard Tiliqua rugosa involving a collaboration between wildlife ecologists and veterinary scientists. Its reuse potential may involve a comparative analysis of body size, haematological parameters with other long-lived, medium-sized lizards, ectoparasite studies (Aponomma hydrosauri, Amblyomma libatum) for different host populations, and background justification for ecotoxicological (pesticide) studies in farmland. Using a using a multivariate, one-way nested Type I PERMANCOVA (analysis of covariance) design, body size, blood samples and ectoparasite presence was collected on a total of 119 animals from two different populations in southern Australia. One population was from an intensively managed cropping environment and one was from an adjacent a less intensively managed grazing environment. This study took place in extensive rangelands and the fragmented landscapes of the South Australian Murray Mallee cereal cropland in southern Australia. Adult and juvenile T. rugosa were captured for sampling at one rangeland (baseline) site and three severely modified (severe) landscape-scaled sites (LS1, LS2, LS3) over a large area (68 km × 84 km or 571,200 ha) across the croplands. Two animal sampling designs were used to collect data on physiological health (Design 1: Baseline vs Severe and Design 2 - Severe only). Data collected: Record No., Animal No., Treatment, Habitat Type, Landscape No., Connectivity Class, Age Class, Linear Body Size Index (LBSI), Heterophil (H) Field of View, Heterophil per microlitre, Total White Blood Cell Count, Absolute Heterophil Count, % Heterophil Count, Absolute Lymphocyte (L) Count, % Lymphocytes, H:L Ratio (Absolute), H:L Ratio (%), Absolute Monocytes, % Monocytes , Absolute Other Granulocytes , % Other Granulocytes, % Polychromasia, Snout-Vent Length (mm), Total No. Ectoparasites per Animal.
Simple
Identification info
- Date (Creation)
- 2014-05-21
- Date (Publication)
- 2022-03-22
- Date (Revision)
- 2025-12-10
- Edition
- 1.0
Identifier
Publisher
Author
University of Adelaide - Smyth, Anita ()
Waite Road, Waite, South Australia, 5064, Australia
Waite
South Australia
5064
Australia
Co-author
University of Adelaide - Smee, Elizabeth (Senior Research Project Officer - ERA)
Waite Road, Waite, South Australia, 5064, Australia
Waite
South Australia
5064
Australia
Co-author
University of Otago - Godfrey, Stephanie (Lecturer)
362 Leith Street, Dunedin North, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
Dunedin North
Dunedin
9016
New Zealand
Co-author
University of Sydney - Crowther, Mathew (Associate Professor)
City Road, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
Camperdown
New South Wales
2050
Australia
Co-author
University of Sydney - Phalen, David (Professor)
City Road, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
Camperdown
New South Wales
2050
Australia
- Website
- https://www.tern.org.au/
- Purpose
- Native biodiversity in Australian agricultural landscapes continues to decline in response to a range of threatening processes. Woody perennial farming systems are being established across southern Australia as land managers strive to achieve more sustainable and profitable farming practices. Woody perennial farming systems can improve the persistence of biota either directly, for example, by providing additional food resources; or indirectly by ameliorating risk factors, such as altered hydrological processes, that are threatening biota. The focus of the program is on the food, shelter and breeding resources that perennial farming systems can provide for native biota and thus potentially contribute to the persistence of a range of native species in agricultural landscapes. Native biodiversity in Australian agricultural landscapes continues to decline in response to a range of threatening processes. Woody perennial farming systems are being established across southern Australia as land managers strive to achieve more sustainable and profitable farming practices. Woody perennial farming systems can improve the persistence of biota either directly, for example, by providing additional food resources; or indirectly by ameliorating risk factors, such as altered hydrological processes, that are threatening biota. The focus of the program is on the food, shelter and breeding resources that perennial farming systems can provide for native biota and thus potentially contribute to the persistence of a range of native species in agricultural landscapes. There were four studies: (i) Study 1 was a review of the resource requirements of all terrestrial vertebrate species found in the temperate agricultural landscapes of South Australia and Western Australia, (ii) Study 2 studied the potential of planted saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) to support avian biodiversity in the Murray Mallee of South Australia, (iii) Study 3 explored the use of native perennial (saltbush) plantations Atriplex numularia numularia by the sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) an endemic Australian species common in the South Australian Murray Mallee region (SAMM), and (iv) Study 4 assessed the body condition and haematology of the sleepy lizard in grazed rangelands (native vegetation relatively intact) and severely modified cropping landscapes (remnants of native vegetation surrounded by cereal crops) to determine lizard health and make inferences about the vulnerability of habitats under extreme of habitat modification and discuss implications for the species persistence and farming systems management. This dataset is for Study 4.
- Credit
- We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
- Credit
- We gratefully acknowledge the farmers who gave us permission to work on their farms.
- Status
- Completed
Point of contact
University of Adelaide - Smyth, Anita ()
Waite Road, Waite, South Australia, 5064, Australia
Waite Road
Waite
South Australia
5064
Australia
- Topic category
-
- Biota
Extent
- Description
- This study took place in extensive rangelands and the fragmented landscapes of the South Australian Murray Mallee cereal cropland in southern Australia. Adult and juvenile T. rugosa were captured for sampling at one rangeland (baseline) site (BS0- 120km2) near Mt. Mary (139o 21E, 33 o 55S) and three severely modified (severe) landscape-scaled sites (LS1, LS2, LS3) over a large area (68 km × 84 km or 571 200 ha) across the croplands (see supplementary image Fig. 1). IBRA region- Murray Darling Depression
N
S
E
W
))
Temporal extent
- Time period
- 2010-09-02 2011-02-18
- Maintenance and update frequency
- Not planned
- GCMD Science Keywords
- ANZSRC Fields of Research
- TERN Parameter Vocabulary
- QUDT Units of Measure
- GCMD Horizontal Resolution Ranges
- GCMD Temporal Resolution Ranges
- Keywords (Discipline)
-
- Farming System
- Grazing Land Management
- Habitat Alteration
- Habitat Connectivity
- Mallee Open Woodlands
- Landscape-Scale Management
- Ecosystem Assessment And Management (9605)
- Tiliqua rugosa
- Shingle-Back
- Bobtail Lizard
- Sleepy Lizard
- Stumpy-tailed Lizard
- Lizards
Resource constraints
- Use limitation
- The Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license allows others to copy, distribute, display, and create derivative works provided that they credit the original source and any other nominated parties. Details are provided at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
- File name
- 88x31.png
- File description
- CCBy Logo from creativecommons.org
- File type
- png
- Title
- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence
- Alternate title
- CC-BY
- Edition
- 4.0
- Access constraints
- License
- Use constraints
- Other restrictions
- Other constraints
- TERN services are provided on an "as-is" and "as available" basis. Users use any TERN services at their discretion and risk. They will be solely responsible for any damage or loss whatsoever that results from such use including use of any data obtained through TERN and any analysis performed using the TERN infrastructure. <br/><br/>Web links to and from external, third party websites should not be construed as implying any relationships with and/or endorsement of the external site or its content by TERN.<br/><br/>Please advise any work or publications that use this data via the online form at https://www.tern.org.au/research-publications/#reporting
- Other constraints
- (C)2014 University of Adelaide, University of Sydney, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Rights owned by University of Adelaide, University of Sydney, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Rights licensed subject to Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.
Resource constraints
- Classification
- Unclassified
Distribution Information
- Distribution format
-
- NetCDF
Distributor
Distributor
Distribution Information
- Distribution format
-
- NetCDF
Distributor
Distributor
Distribution Information
- Distribution format
-
- NetCDF
Distributor
Distributor
- OnLine resource
- /attachment/6b2b6dfc-26ad-4821-aa2d-58b6a426195d/Fig1.png
Distribution Information
- Distribution format
-
Distributor
Distributor
Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network
Building 1019, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly, QLD, Australia, 4068
Indooroopilly
QLD
4068
Australia
- OnLine resource
- ro-crate-metadata.json
Resource lineage
- Hierarchy level
- Dataset
Process step
- Description
- Sampling design : Two sampling designs were used to collect data on physiological health. Design 1 (Baseline vs Severe) investigated differences in the health of wild lizards using a single treatment (fixed, 2 levels: baseline habitat alteration, n = 30; severe habitat alteration, n = 30) and one covariate for body condition (2 measures: residual condition index, ectoparasite load where n = 30 for each. Design 2 (Severe only) examined the influence of habitat complexity on lizard health in the cropland landscapes using differences in two factors: (1) habitat type (fixed, 3 levels: remnant mallee woodland as small disconnected liner strips or patches with reduced habitat complexity, n = 27; revegetated saltbush, n = 28; crop/rested fields, n = 23) and (2) structural connectivity (fixed, 4 levels: low - < 63% connectedness, n = 24; medium 63-88% connectedness, n = 25; high - > 88% but not connected, n= 19; connected to mallee woodland, n = 10). Both factors were nested within three replicated sites (LS1, LS2, LS3). All blood samples were identified by age but not by sex because of unreliable sex determination using eversion of hemipenes. To assess the effect of brumation on haematological data in the Severe sites, we recorded data on the cumulative days since the first day of sampling (CUMDAYS). Ideally, repeated blood samples from the same individuals throughout the study was the preferred approach but insufficient recaptures prevented this.
Process step
- Description
- Animal Survey: Lizards were surveyed by employing a single reptile visual encounter survey using a randomised line transect method in all saltbush plantings and small remnants. Teams of two observers systematically searched neighbouring rows of monocultures of saltbush (approximately 8-10m apart)and 10m wide strip between observers in remnants at a consistent slow pace ensuring that both sides of individual saltbushes rows and 10m-wide path in the remnant were surveyed thoroughly for lizards. Multiple sampling occurred at the Baseline site and once in woodland remnants and revegetated saltbush within the severe sites over a 5-day period for 5 weeks between November and December 2010 and in February 2011 when the ground temperature was < 28 degrees C and ideally until no new captures were recorded. At the Baseline site, blood smears were collected as part of an on-going 30 year population study via toe-clipping and prepared using immediate duplicate blood smears.At the Severe sites, immediately after capture, animals were microchipped and blood taken from the caudal tail vein. Duplicate blood smears were also prepared and later stained with Wright-Giesma (Sigma-Aldrich®)). The new method of blood collection in the Severe sites followed the conditions outlined in the CSIRO Human Nutrition Animal Ethics Committee 2.0 Permit (75606/11) and the Government of South Australia Scientific Research Permit (Q258201). Captures were grouped into two categories: juveniles (SVL<200 mm) and sub-adults/adults (>=200 mm). Site capture density was estimated at 3.9 individuals per ha.
Process step
- Description
- Haematological Processing: Heparinised blood from the Severe sites was transferred to a capillary tube and the percentage of the blood that was composed of red blood cells or packed cell volume (PCV) was determined using a microcentrifuge (n=85). PCV was not determined for Baseline animals. Estimated total White Blood Cells counts, differentials ratio were enumerated using Carl Zeiss Axio® Imager 2 microscopy. The estimate count method was used where the total number of heterophils was estimated by counting the number of heterophils present in each of five fields using the 40X objective of the microscope in an area of the blood smear where the red cells first became overlapping. The number of cells per field was then averaged and the average was multiplied by 2,000 to give an estimated number of cells per microlitre. Differential counts were determined using a a modified periodic Schiff procedure by counting 100 white blood cells under 100 X magnification and recording the percentage of heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and other granulocytes. The fraction of heterophils was then divided into the estimated total heterophil count to give the total white blood cell count and this was used to calculate the total monocyte, lymphocyte and other granulocyte total counts. The other granulocyte count included cells that matched the description of basophils seen in other reptile species, another cell type that contained clear round vacuoles that appeared to have degranulated, and large round cells with fine basophilic granules. The percentage of polychromatophilic red blood cells was determined by counting the number of polychromatophilic red blood cells per 200 red blood cells.
Process step
- Description
- Body Size : Body size was assessed by unity of linear body size index residual condition index (LBSIRCI). LBSIRCI was calculated from the residuals of a ranged major axis (RMA) regression between log-transformed body mass and log-transformed body length. It meets the assumptions of linearity (r = 0.73) and independence (Green 2001). Lizards were harnessed and weighed using a hand-held Pesola scale to the nearest 0.1g. Snout-vent length was measured with a ruler to the nearest 1mm.
Process step
- Description
- Ectoparasite Load : The presence or absence of ticks for each individual was recorded by searching all surface areas of a lizards body. Both species of ticks are highly visible. Tick load was measured as the number of ticks per individual. The ecoparasitic ticks Aponomma hydrosauri and Amblyomma libatum are commonly found on this species in the study region.
Reference System Information
- Reference system identifier
- EPSG/EPSG:4326
- Reference system type
- Geodetic Geographic 2D
Metadata
- Metadata identifier
-
urn:uuid/6b2b6dfc-26ad-4821-aa2d-58b6a426195d
- Title
- TERN GeoNetwork UUID
- Language
- English
- Character encoding
- UTF8
Point of contact
Type of resource
- Resource scope
- Dataset
- Metadata linkage
-
https://geonetwork.tern.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/6b2b6dfc-26ad-4821-aa2d-58b6a426195d
Point-of-truth metadata URL
- Date info (Creation)
- 2014-05-21T00:00:00.000000+00:00
- Date info (Revision)
- 2025-12-10T09:48:47.435046+00:00
Metadata standard
- Title
- ISO 19115-1:2014/AMD 1:2018 Geographic information - Metadata - Fundamentals
- Edition
- 1
Metadata standard
- Title
- ISO/TS 19115-3:2016
- Edition
- 1.0
Metadata standard
- Title
- ISO/TS 19157-2:2016
- Edition
- 1.0
- Title
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) Metadata Profile of ISO 19115-3:2016 and ISO 19157-2:2016
- Date (published)
- 2021
- Edition
- 1.0
Identifier
Overviews
Spatial extent
N
S
E
W
Provided by
Associated resources
Not available