The small vertebrate community at Badgingarra, Western Australia

Peter John Murray

The small vertebrate community of undisturbed, mature Banksia scrub-heath on deep sand was assessed by pitfall trapping over a 5 month period between August and December 1979. The community comprised five mammal species (Dasyuridae, Muridae, Tarsipedidae), sixteen lizard species (Agamidae, Gekkonidae, Pygopodidae, Scincidae), three snakes (Elapidae, Typhlopidae) and five frogs (Leptodactylidae). The greatest number of species and individuals were trapped in November. The most frequently trapped species were the frog Myobatrachus gouldii and the marsupial Tarsipes spencerae, although reptiles contributed the greatest proportion of biomass of the community. Data are presented on the morphology, reproduction and diet of the herpetofauna. Sexual dimorphism in body length was found for four species of lizards. The reptiles bred in spring and laid eggs in early summer. Clutch size was two for most reptile species. Lizards and frogs were shown to be opportunistic feeders, taking a wide range of prey items including vertebrates, plant material and 22 categories of invertebrates. Principal Axis Ordination performed on the diet of 12 of the most frequently caught members of the herpetofauna showed the existence of four groups of animals with similar diets, three of which were contained within a broader group of similarities. Juveniles of five mammal species were trapped in spring. Data are presented on the numbers of pouch young carried by two species of marsupials in the community. Sexual dimorphism in body length was found in one of these two species. Data from this study were compared with those from a similar study in Banksia woodland.

The small vertebrate community at Badgingarra, Western Australia

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