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RST Apology to Tasmanian Aboriginal people 2021.

Reproductive ecology of the Mountain Dragon, Rankinia (Tympanocryptis) diemensis (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae) in Tasmania

Papers & Reports

Summary

The mountain dragon, Rankinta (7ympanocryptis) diemensis (Gray, 1841), is the only member of the Agamidae in Tasmania. It occurs in some of the coldest regions occupied by any dragon in Australia, and is found in a variety of habitats ranging from coastal heath to alpine scrub. This paper examines the reproductive ecology of R. diemensis in the most southerly range of its distribution, providing baseline data on timing of reproductive events, reproductive cycles, nesting behaviour and ovipositioning, clutch characteristics and incubation conditions. Winter torpor lasts approximately seven months with males emerging in early September and spermatogenesis occurring from September-November. Females emerge later, with vitellogenesis occurring from September-December. Gravid females may be found between October and January, but females are non-vitellogenic from late December until the following season. The first clutch is typically laid from October–December, with a variable clutch size (2-11 eggs). Females store sperm and a second clutch may be laid five weeks after the first. Eggs incubated in artificial enclosures at low altitude hatched after 72–106 days, after experiencing an average daily temperature
of 19°-22°C, and a range of 50-39°C.

 

Keywords:

Royal Society of Tasmania, RST, Van Diemens Land, natural history, science, ecology, taxonomy, botany, zoology, geology, geography, papers & proceedings, Australia, UTAS Library

Acknowledgement of Country

The Royal Society of Tasmania acknowledges, with deep respect, the traditional owners of this land, and the ongoing custodianship of the Aboriginal people of Tasmania. The Society pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that Tasmanian Aboriginal Peoples have survived severe and unjust impacts resulting from invasion and dispossession of their Country. As an institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, the Royal Society of Tasmania recognises Aboriginal cultural knowledge and practices and seeks to respect and honour these traditions and the deep understanding they represent.

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On 15 February 2021, the Royal Society of Tasmania offered a formal Apology to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.