Tiliqua adelaidensis (Peters, 1863:232)
Pygmy bluetongue, Adelaide pigmy blue-tongue lizard, Adelaide pigmy blue-tongue skink, ‘the doubtful blue tongue’ (used by Waite, 1929)
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Synonym/s: Cyclodus adelaidensis Peters, 1863:232 (basionym )
Conservation Status
Last record: 1959
Rediscovered in October 1992
IUCN status: Endangered
The Pygmy bluetongue was rediscovered by Graham Armstrong in 1992 near Burra, South Australia (Parish & Slater, 1997:57).
Distribution
South Australia, Australia
Biology & Ecology
"Ecology: terrestrial, diurnal; viviparous." (Cogger et al., 1983:189)
Hypodigm
Syntypes: ZMB 4710 (2 specimens) (Cogger et al., 1983:188)
Type locality: "Loos, 4.5 km W Gawler (as Buchsfelde), S.A." (Cogger et al., 1983:188)
Media
References
Original scientific description:
Peters, W. (1863 "1864"). Übersicht der von Hrn. Richard Schomburgk an das zoologische Museum eingesandten Amphibien, aus Buchsfelde bei Adelaide in Südaustralien. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1863: 228-236.
Other references:
Armstrong, G. and Reid, J. (1992). The rediscovery of the Adelaide pygmy bluetongue Tiliqua adelaidensis (Peters, 1863). Herpetofauna 22(2): 3-6.
Armstrong, G., Reid, J. and Hutchinson, M. N. (1993). Discovery of a population of the rare scincid lizard, Tiliqua adeliadensis (Peters). Records of the South Australian Museum 36: 153-155.
Australasian Reptile & Amphibian Specialist Group. (1996). Tiliqua adelaidensis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. (http://www.iucnredlist.org). Downloaded on 04 August 2012.
Benn, Amelia L. et al. (2019). A Review of Welfare Assessment Methods in Reptiles, and Preliminary Application of the Welfare Quality® Protocol to the Pygmy Blue-Tongue Skink, Tiliqua adelaidensis, Using Animal-Based Measures. Animals 9, 27. doi: doi:10.3390/ani9010027 [automatic download]
Bull, C. M. and Baghurst, B. C. (1998). Home range overlap between mothers and their offspring in the sleepy lizard, Tiliqua rugosa. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 42: 357-362.
Clarke, Sylvia. (2000). Management of the Pygmy Bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) on private grazing properties, Mid-North SA, pp. 70-72. In: Barlow, Tim and Thorburn, Roberta (eds.). Balancing Conservation and Production in Grassy Landscapes. Proceedings of the Bushcare Grassy Landscapes Conference, 19-21 August 1999, Clare, South Australia. Canberra: Environment Australia.
Clayton, Jessica, Gardner, Michael G., Fenner, Aaron L. and Bull, Michael. (2019). Co‐occupancy of spider‐engineered burrows within a grassland community changes temporally. Austral Ecology. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12714 [Abstract]
Clayton, M., Wombey, J.C., Mason, I.J., Chesser, R.T. & Wells, A. 2006. CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates: A Reference with Conservation Status. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing. iv + 162 pp.
Clive, Lucy F. R. et al. (2019). Population augmentation had no effect on the abundance or body condition of conspecifics and co‐occurring lizard species in a native grassland community. Austral Ecology. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12704 [Abstract]
Cogger, Harold G., Cameron, Elizabeth E. and Cogger, Heather M. (1983). Scincidae, pp. 135-193. In: Zoological Catalogue of Australia. I. Amphibia and Reptilia. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. vi + 313 pp. [p. 188-189]
Cogger, Hal G., Cameron, Elizabeth E., Sadlier, Ross A. and Eggler, Peter. (1993). The Action Plan for Australian Reptiles. Canberra: Australian Nature Conservation Agency. [pp. 124-126]
Daniell, Tara L. et al. (2020). Translocation for conservation: Neonates are less suitable than adults. Austral Ecology. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12875 [Abstract]
Derne, Bonnie T. et al. (2018). Parasite in peril? A new species of mite in the genus [i]Ophiomegistus[/i] Banks (Parasitiformes: Paramegistidae) on an endangered host, the pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis (Peters) (Squamata: Scincidae). Austral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12692 [Abstract]
Ebrahimi, Mehregan and Bull, C. Michael. (2012b). Food supplementation reduces post-release dispersal during simulated translocation of the Endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Endangered Species Research 18(2): 169-178.
Ebrahimi, Mehregan, & Bull, C. M. (2012c). Lycosid Spiders are Friends and Enemies of the Endangered pygmy Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 136(1): 45-49. [Abstract]
Ebrahimi, Mehregan, Fenner, A. L., & Bull, C. M. (2012). Lizard behaviour suggests a new design for artificial burrows. Wildlife Research 39(4): 295-300. [Abstract]
Ebrahimi, Mehregan, Godfrey, Stephanie S., Fenner, Aaron L. and Bull, C. Michael. (2015). Interactions between pygmy bluetongue lizards and co-existing species. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. DOI:10.1080/03721426.2015.1051644 [Abstract]
Ebrahimi, Mehregan, Schofield, J. A., and Bull, C. M. (2012). Getting your feet wet: Responses of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) to rain induced burrow flooding. Herpetology Notes 5: 297-301.
Ebrahimi Mehregan, Schofield J.A., Bull C.M. (2012). Tiliqua adelaidensis (Pygmy bluetongue lizards). Alternative refuge. Submitted.
Ehmann, H. (1982). The natural history and conservation of the Adelaide pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Herpetofauna 14(1): 61-76.
Fellows, H. L. (2008). Temporal and spatial dynamics of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis: implications for translocation attempts. B.Sc.(Hon) Thesis. The Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide.
Fellows, H. L., Fenner, A. L. and Bull, C. M. (2009). Spiders provide important resources for an endangered lizard. Journal of Zoology 279(2): 156-163. [Abstract]
Fenner, Aaron L. (2009). The biology, ecology and social structuring of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis: considerations for long term conservation. Ph.D. Thesis. Flinders University, Adelaide.
Fenner, A. L., & Bull, C. M. (2007a). Short‐term impact of grassland fire on the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard. Journal of Zoology 272(4): 444-450. [Abstract]
Fenner, A. L., & Bull, C. M. (2007b). Bothriocroton hydrosauri (formerly; Aponomma hydrosauri)(Denny, 1843)(Acari: Ixodidae), new parasite record for the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis (Scincidae) from Australia. Comparative parasitology 74(2): 378-379. [Abstract]
Fenner, Aaron L. and Bull, C. M. (2009). Tiliqua adelaidenis (pygmy bluetongue lizard) mating behaviour. Herpetological Review 40: 91-92.
Aaron L. Fenner, C. M. Bull. (2010a). Central-place territorial defence in a burrow-dwelling skink: aggressive responses to conspecific models in pygmy bluetongue lizards. Journal of Zoology 283(1): 45-51. [Abstract]
Fenner, A. L., and Bull, C. M. (2010b). Responses of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard to conspecific scats. Journal of Ethology 29(1): 69-77. [Abstract]
Fenner, A. L. and Bull, C. M. (2011). The use of scats as social signals in a solitary, endangered scincid lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis. Wildlife Research 37(7): 582-587. [Abstract]
Fenner, Aaron L., Bull, C. M., and Hutchinson, M. N. (2007). Omnivorous diet of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Amphibia-Reptilia 28(4): 560–565. [Abstract]
Fenner, Aaron L., Bull, C. M., and Hutchinson, M. N. (2008). Injuries to lizards: conservation implications for the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis). Wildlife Research 35(2): 158-161. [Abstract]
Aaron L. Fenner, Stephanie S. Godfrey, C. Michael Bull. (2011). Using social networks to deduce whether residents or dispersers spread parasites in a lizard population. Journal of Animal Ecology 80(4): 835-843.
Fenner, A. L., Hutchinson, M. N., & Bull, C. M. (2006). Unique tail regeneration in a pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis. HERPETOFAUNA-SYDNEY-, 36(2), 68.
Fenner, A. L., Schofield, A. J., Smith, A. L. and Bull, C. M. (2008). Observations of snake predation on the pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis. Herpetofauna 38: 105-109.
Fenner, A. L., Smales, L. R., and Bull, C. M. (2008). Pharyngodon wandillahensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis Peters, 1863 (Sauria: Scincidae), South Australia, Australia. Comparative Parasitology 75: 69-75. [Abstract]
Fordham, D. A., Watts, M. J., Delean, S., Brook, B. W., Heard, L., & Bull, C. M. (2012). Managed relocation as an adaptation strategy for mitigating climate change threats to the persistence of an endangered lizard. Global Change Biology 18(9): 2743-2755. [Abstract]
Gardner, M. G., Sanchez, J. J., Dudaniec, R. Y., Rheinberger, L., Smith, A. L., & Saint, K. M. (2008). Tiliqua rugosa microsatellites: isolation via enrichment and characterisation of loci for multiplex PCR in T. rugosa and the endangered T. adelaidensis. Conservation Genetics 9(1): 233-237. [Abstract]
Garnett, Stephen T., Latch, Peter, Lindenmayer, David B. and Woinarski, John C. Z. (eds.). (2018). Recovering Australian Threatened Species: A Book of Hope. CSIRO Publishing. 360 pp.
Greer, A. E. (1990). The Biology and Evolution of Australian Lizards. Chipping Norton, New South Wales: Surrey Beatty and Sons Pty. Limited.
Heard, L. M. (1993). Distribution Prediction for the Endangered Pygmy Bluetongue (Tiliqua adelaidensis) Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems: A Preliminary Investigation. University of Adelaide. Department of Geography.
Hoser, Raymond T. (1991). Endangered Animals of Australia. Mosman, NSW: Pierson & Co. 240 pp. [pp. 92-93]
Hutchinson, M. N. (1992). Mars Bars for brown snakes or the rediscovery of the Pygmy Bluetongue. 1992 Australian Society of Herpetologists AGM Abstracts: 6.
Hutchinson, M., Milne, T., and Croft, T. (1994). Redescription and ecological notes on the pygmy bluetongue, Tiliqua adelaidensis (Squamata: Scincidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 118(4): 217–226.
McCullough, Timothy Paul. (2000). Ecology of the obligate burrowing spiders associated with the Adelaide Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) (Doctoral dissertation).
Michael, Kimberley H. and Gardnet, Michael G. (2023). Hold your breath: Observations of the endangered pygmy bluetongue (Tiliqua adelaidensis) submerged in flooded burrows. Austral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13351
Milne, T. I. (1999). Conservation and Ecology of the Endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Ph.D. diss., Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 314 pp.
Milne, Tim and Bull, C. Michael. (2000). Burrow choice by individuals of different sizes in the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Biological Conservation 95(3): 295–301. [Abstract]
Milne, T., Bull, C. M., and Hutchinson, M. N. (2002). Characteristics of litters and juvenile dispersal in the endangered Australian skink Tiliqua adelaidensis. Journal of Herpetology 36(1): 110-112.
Milne, T., Bull, C. M., and Hutchinson, M. N. (2003a). Use of burrows by the endangered pygymy blue-tongue lizard, Tiliqua adeladensis (Scincidae). Wildlife Research 30(5): 523-528. [Abstract]
Milne, T., Bull, C. M., and Hutchinson, M. B. (2003b). Fitness of the endangered pygmy blue tongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis in artificial burrows. Journal of Herpetology 37(4): 762-765. [Abstract]
Mitchell, F.J. 1950. The scincid genera Egernia and Tiliqua (Lacertilia). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 9: 275-308.
Nielsen, Torben Peiter and Bull, Christopher Michael. (2019). Effects of grazing regime on the relative body mass of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis). Austral Ecology. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12816 [Abstract]
Parish, Steve and Slater, Pat. (1997). Amazing Facts About Australian Frogs & Reptiles. Fortitude Valley, Queensland: Steve Parish Publishing.
Pettigrew, M. G. (2011). The Effects of Grazing on the Endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis (Doctoral dissertation, Flinders University, School of Biological Sciences.).
Pettigrew, M., and Bull, C. M. (2011). The impact of heavy grazing on burrow choice in the pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis. Wildlife Research 38: 299-306.
Pettigrew, Melissa and Bull, C. Michael. (2012). The response of pygmy bluetongue lizards to simulated grazing in the field during three drought years. Wildlife Research 39(6): 540-545. [Abstract]
Pettigrew, Melissa and Bull, C. Michael. (2014). Prey capture behaviour by pygmy bluetongue lizards with simulated grazing. New Zealand Journal of Ecology (2014) 38(1): [pagination?]. [early view, actually not published yet, hence no assigned pagination]
Regalado, Pedro Galán. (2015). Los Anfibios y Reptiles Extinguidos: Herpetofauna Desaparecida Desde el Año 1500. Monografías de la Universidade da Coruña 155: 1-509.
Rogers, K. (1998). Populations and conservation genetics of the Pygmy Bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis (Doctoral dissertation, Honours thesis, Department of Genetics, University of Adelaide).
Schofield, Julie A., Fenner, Aaron L., Pelgrim, Kelly and Bull, C. Michael. (2012). Male-biased movement in pygmy bluetongue lizards: implications for conservation. Wildlife Research. [Abstract]
Schwarzkopf, L. (1992). Annual variation of litter size and offspring size in a viviparous skink. Herpetologica 48: 390–395.
Shea, G. M. (1992). The Systematics and Reproduction of Bluetongue Lizards of the Genus Tiliqua (Squamata: Scincidae). Unppubl. Ph.D. diss., University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Smith, A. L. (2006). Conservation and Population Genetics of the Endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis (Doctoral dissertation).
Smith, Annabel L.; Fenner, Aaron L.; Michael Bull, C.; Gardner, Michael G. (2009). Genotypes and nematode infestations in an endangered lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis. Applied Herpetology 6(3): 300-305. [Abstract]
Smith, A. L., Gardner, M. G., Fenner, A. L., & Bull, C. M. (2009). Restricted gene flow in the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) in a fragmented agricultural landscape. Wildlife Research 36(6): 466-478. [Abstract]
Souter, N. J. (2004). Habitat requirements and conservation of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis (Doctoral dissertation, Flinders University, School of Biological Sciences, Science and Engineering).
Souter, N. J. (2006). Habitat Requirements and Conservation of the Endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis: Ph. D. Summary. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 130(1): 186.
Souter, N. J., Michael Bull, C., and Hutchinson, Mark N. (2004). Adding burrows to enhance a population of the endangered pygmy blue tongue lizard, [i]Tiliqua adelaidensis[/i]. Biological Conservation 116(3): 403-408. [Abstract]
Souter, N. J., Bull, C. M., Lethbridge, M. R., and Hutchinson, Mark N. (2007). Habitat requirements of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis. Biodiversity and Conservation 135: 33-45. [Abstract]
Vasey, E. K. (2008). A pilot study of the citizen science approach to data collection. (Doctoral dissertation, Barbara Hardy Centre-UniSA).
Wahle, Anna et al. (2021). Skinks in Zoos: A global approach on distribution patterns of threatened Scincidae in zoological institutions. Global Ecology and Conservation 30: e01800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01800
Waite, Edgar Ravenswood. (1929). The Reptiles and Amphibians of South Australia. Handbooks of the Flora and Fauna of South Australia. Adelaide, Printed by H. Weir, Govt. Printer, issued by the British Science Guild (South Australian Branch). [a second edition was published in 1993, with an introduction by Michael J. Tyler and Mark Hutchinson]
Watharow, S[imon?]. THE PYGMY BLUE TONGUE LIZARD Tiliqua adelaidensis. [incomplete reference]
http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/research/biological-sciences/reptiles-amphibians/1164
http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2014/s4100697.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-04/pygmy-blue-tongue-lizard-breeding-program/6826110
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-24/monarto-zoos-pygmy-blue-tongue-lizard-breeding-success/7195136
http://extinctanimals.proboards.com/thread/13217/pygmy-bluetongue-lizard-tiliqua-adelaidensis