Striped Legless Lizard Surveys 2012: Gungahlin …...1 Introduction Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd (ELA) was commissioned by Conservation Planning and Research, ACT Government (CPR),

Striped Legless Lizard Surveys 2012: Gungahlin Grassland Nature Reserves - Crace, Mulanggari and Gungaderra

FINAL REPORT

Prepared for

Conservation Planning and Research, ACT Government

March 2013

S tr i pe d L e g l e ss L i z ar d S ur ve ys 20 1 2 : G u n g a hl i n Gr a ss l a n d N at ur e R e s er ve a r e a s

© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P T Y L T D i

DOCUMENT TRACKING

ITEM DETAIL

Project Name Striped Legless Lizard Surveys 2012: Gungahlin Grassland Nature Reserves

Project Number 12CANECO-0015

File location Z:\Synergy\Projects\12CANECO\12CANECO-0015 SLL Surveys Gungahlin 2012\Report

Project Manager Matthew Dowle

(02) 6103 2314

Prepared by Andrew Palmer-Brodie, Matthew Dowle

Approved by Will Introna

Status FINAL

Version Number 2

Last saved on 12th

March 2013

Cover photo

Centre: Map of Crace Grassland Nature Reserve. Top Right: Olive Legless Lizard. Other

Photos: Selected images of Striped Legless Lizards showing the variation in colouration from

the 2012 field surveys. Images taken by ELA and TAMS staff.

This report should be cited as ‘Eco Logical Australia 2012, Striped Legless Lizard Surveys 2012:

Gungahlin Grassland Nature Reserves, Prepared for Conservation Planning and Research, ACT

Government, Canberra.’

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This document has been prepared by Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd with support from Michael Mulvaney

from CPR (TAMS). Robert Armstrong, Greg Baines, Bob Burdick, David Dobroszcyk, Maree Gilbert,

Kristy Gould, Felicity Grant, Tegan Liston, Jason Mackenzie, Helen Mckeown, Michael Maconachie,

Luke McElhinny, Claire McInnes, Richard Milner, Michael Mulvaney and Craig Wainwright all from

Territory and Municipal Services or the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate

participated in the tile survey.

Disclaimer

This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and Conservation Planning and Research, ACT Government. The scope of services was defined

in consultation with Conservation Planning and Research, ACT Government, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the

client, and the availability of reports and other data on the subject area. Changes to available information, legislation and

schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers should obtain up to date information.

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this

report and its supporting material by any third party. Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for site specific

assessment or legal advice in relation to any matter. Unauthorised use of this report in any form is prohibited.


© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P T Y L T D ii

Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5

1.1 Study Area .................................................................................................................................... 5

1.2 Study Aims .................................................................................................................................... 5

1.3 Striped Legless Lizard Background .............................................................................................. 6

2 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 8

2.1 Artificial Shelter Surveys ............................................................................................................... 8

3 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 12

3.1 Striped Legless Lizard Captures ................................................................................................ 12

3.1.1 Crace Grassland Nature Reserve .............................................................................................. 12

3.1.2 Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve ...................................................................................... 12

3.1.3 Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserve ..................................................................................... 13

3.2 Distance Travelled by SLL .......................................................................................................... 14

3.3 Striped Legless Lizard Non-Captures ........................................................................................ 14

3.4 Striped Legless Lizard Density and Abundance......................................................................... 14

3.5 Opportunistic Observations ........................................................................................................ 16

4 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 20

References ............................................................................................................................................. 21

Appendix A – SLL Capture Data .......................................................................................................... 22

Appendix B – Other Fauna Captures .................................................................................................. 30


© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P T Y L T D iii

List of Figures

Figure 1: Study area – Crace, Mulanggari and Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserves Areas ACT ..... 7

Figure 2: Grid locations Crace, Gungaderra and Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve Areas ............ 10

Figure 3: Methodology used to determine SLL individuals based on unique scale characteristics

(Images: TAMS Staff, 2012) ..................................................................................................................... 11

Figure 4: Striped Legless Lizard distribution and abundance Crace Grassland Nature Reserve Area ... 17

Figure 5: Striped Legless Lizard distribution and abundance Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve

Area .......................................................................................................................................................... 18

Figure 6: Striped Legless Lizard distribution and abundance Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserve

area .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

List of Tables

Table 1: Summary of SLL records from Crace ......................................................................................... 12

Table 2: Summary of SLL records from Mulanggari ................................................................................ 13

Table 3: Summary of SLL records from Gungaderra ............................................................................... 13

Table 4: Distances travelled by SLL ......................................................................................................... 14

Table 5: Non-captured SLL ...................................................................................................................... 14

Table 6: SLL density measured at Grid A tiles (tiles & 10m buffer cover 8 arrays = 6.16 ha, 6 arrays =

4.62ha) ..................................................................................................................................................... 15

Table 7: SLL density measured at Grid B tiles (tiles & 10m buffer cover 5 arrays = 1.3 ha, 6 arrays =

1.56 ha) .................................................................................................................................................... 15

Table 8: Summary for SLL targeted surveys ............................................................................................ 20

Table 9: Capture data from Crace ............................................................................................................ 22

Table 10: Capture data from Gungaderra ................................................................................................ 24

Table 11: Capture data from Mulanggari ................................................................................................. 27

Table 12: Other fauna identified from the SLL surveys ............................................................................ 30

Table 13: GPS grid coordinates for the Grassland Nature Reserve Areas Error! Bookmark not defined.


© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P T Y L T D iv

Abbreviations

ABBREVIATION DESCRIPTION

CPR Conservation Planning and Research

EEC Endangered Ecological Community

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)

NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1980 (ACT)

OLL Olive Legless Lizard (Delma inornata)

SLL Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar)

S tr i pe d L e g l e ss L i z ar d S ur ve ys 20 1 2 : G u n g a hl i n Gr a ss l a n d N at ur e R e s er ve a r e a s s

© E C O L O G I C AL AU S T R AL I A P T Y L T D 5

1 Introduction

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd (ELA) was commissioned by Conservation Planning and Research, ACT

Government (CPR), to undertake targeted surveys for Delma impar (Striped Legless Lizard) centred at

three Gungahlin Grassland Reserves (Crace, Gungaderra and Mulanggari) in the Australian Capital

Territory (ACT). Surveys were undertaken over a ten week period between October and December

2012.

1.1 STUDY AREA

The study area comprises three Grassland Reserves (Crace, Mulanggari and Gungaderra) and

adjoining associated open space in Gungahlin, in the north of the ACT (Figure 1). The grassland

reserves are regarded as nationally significant and contain approximately 170 hectares (ha) of intact

lowland temperate native grasslands. They are comprised primarily of Themeda triandra (Kangaroo

Grass), Poa spp. (Tussock Grass), Rytidosperma spp. (Wallaby Grass), and Austrostipa spp. (Spear

Grass). Surrounding the intact grasslands and providing a buffer to these core areas are approximately

330 ha of disturbed grasslands.

1.2 STUDY AIMS

The aim of the Striped Legless Lizard (SLL) surveys is to provide information on the distribution and

density of SLL in the Crace, Mulanggari and Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserves and adjoining

open space. The surveys will be used to compliment the Kangaroo grazing monitoring within

Mulangarri and Crace being conducted by CPR, along with providing opportunistic sightings for all

reserves of other threatened grassland species, including Synemon plana (Golden Sun Moth) and

Perunga ochracea (Perunga Grasshopper).

The key components of the study are to:

Determine the presence or absence of the species across the three grassland reserves using

an artificial shelter survey method, and where present, provide an estimate of the population

abundance and/or density

Gauge the distribution of the species across the three grassland reserves

Provide a report that details:

o The methodology used

o GPS location of all grids (map grid of Australia)

o Survey results and interpretation for each survey area including:

total number of captures and dates of captures

number of unique individuals captured

the number of recaptured individuals

an estimate of the minimum population size and population density using a

conservative buffer to account for the movement of individuals around available

habitat and extrapolation of the number of captures per grid



o records of all vertebrate species observed under tiles and records of opportunistic

observations of other threatened grassland species

1.3 STRIPED LEGLESS LIZARD BACKGROUND

The SLL is a grassland dependent species of temperate Australia reaching up to 30 centimetres (cm).

The characteristic trait of this family is the lack of fore-limbs and the reduction of the hind-limbs to

vestigial flaps (SEWPAC, 2011a). The species is tan in colour and can be characterised by the

presence of stripes running horizontally along the length of the body, however, this trait can be faint or

entirely absent (SEWPAC, 2011a).

The species has a patchy distribution in grasslands of south-eastern New South Wales, The Australian

Capital Territory, north-eastern, central and south-western Victoria, and south-eastern South Australia

(SEWPAC, 2011c). The distribution of this species within the ACT is fragmented, with populations

occurring in four disjunct regions, of which one is Gungahlin (Grassland Reserves) (ACT Government,

1997).

The species primarily occurs in Lowland Grassland vegetation types dominated by perennial tussock-

forming grasses such as Austrostipa spp., Themeda triandra or Rytidosperma spp. The species is

known to show preference for ecosystems with a-greater-than 70% cover of Themeda triandra and a

deep thatch between the grass sward (Osborne et al., 1993). Little is known about the species' habitat

use, although it is theorised that they over-winter at the base of tussock-forming grasses (ACT

Government, 1997). The species has been shown to move about the available habitat with individuals

recorded moving up to 20 metres (m) in one day and up to 50m over a period of several weeks

(SEWPAC, 2011a).

S tr i pe d L e g l e ss L i z ar d S ur ve ys 20 1 2 : G u n g a hl i n Gr a ss l a n d N at ur e R e s er ve s


Figure 1: Study area – Crace, Mulanggari and Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserves ACT * Note mapped area includes some parcels of urban open space

S tr i pe d L e g l e ss L i z ar d S ur ve ys 20 1 2 : G u n g a hl i n Gr a ss l a n d N at ur e R e s er ve s


2 Methodology

ELA and ACT Government staff undertook targeted surveys for the SLL during the October to

December period of 2012. The surveys used an artificial shelter (roof tiles) method with two different

grid formations to determine the presence of the species across the three grassland reserve areas.

Artificial shelter survey locations in Crace and Mulanggari were guided by Kangaroo monitoring plots

established by CPR.

2.1 ARTIFICIAL SHELTER SURVEYS

Targeted surveys were undertaken using an artificial shelter survey method, consistent with the ACT

survey guidelines Survey Guidelines for the Striped Legless Lizard (ACT Government, 2011) and the

Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Reptiles developed by the Commonwealth (SEWPAC,

2011b).

Artificial shelters were set across the three grassland reserves using two different grid formations

described below.

Grid A: Consisted of 30 tiles in three rows of ten tiles (0.45 ha area). The rows were 25m apart

and the tiles 10m apart. In Crace and Mulanggari, Grid A was located at each of the 1 ha

kangaroo grazing monitoring plots established by CPR. These sites were stratified by tree

cover and a stratified random design was used to determine the location of the monitoring plots.

Random number generation was used to locate all Grid A locations in Gungaderra.

Grid B: Consisted of 50 tiles in five rows of ten tiles (0.09 ha area). The rows and tiles were 5m

apart. Grid B was offset from Grid A by 50m at each location.

All rows were aligned along a north south compass bearing.

Crace and Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve areas: Grid A was established at eight locations

within each of the one hectare (ha) Kangaroo grazing long-term monitoring plots at Crace and

Mulanggari. Grid B (and offset by 50m) was established at five of these locations with each reserve.

The variation of the vegetation present was considered in choosing the locations for Grid B. A total of

980 tiles (490 over 13 grids per reserve) were laid within Crace and Mulanggari.

Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserve area: Grid A and Grid B (offset by 50m) were established at six

locations within Gungaderra. The locations for Grid A were randomly pre-selected by CPR and the

locations for Grid B were chosen with consideration of the variation of the vegetation adjacent to Grid A.

A total of 480 tiles over 12 grids were laid within Gungaderra.

At Crace and Mulanggari the survey tiles were aligned with the long term kangaroo grazing plots to

provide data for the SLL survey and to monitor reptiles for the kangaroo grazing research. One of the

aims of the kangaroo grazing research is to quantify the effect of kangaroo grazing on the abundance

and diversity of small ground frequenting animals, such as reptiles. It is anticipated that the reptile

survey results will be used to inform land managers of the optimal kangaroo densities that are likely to

provide the most favourable habitat conditions for small reptiles, including the SLL. As part of the

grazing research, further roof tile arrays have been placed and surveyed in grassland and woodland

reserves across northern ACT and Googong.



All tiles in the Gungahlin survey were laid on the 2-4th October at least two weeks prior to the first check.

Upon placement, all grid locations were marked with a GPS and each tile was individually numbered

using spray paint, so as to be independently identifiable. Numbers were accorded to each row, thus

numbers in the same ten cohort (e.g. 23, 24, 27) are in the same row and those numbers that share a

common last digit are in the same column (e.g. 23, 33, 43). Each tile in the Grid B progression is 5m

apart, while those in Grid A are 10m or 25m to their nearest neighbour. The locations of the grids were

mapped and are included in Figure 2.

All tiles within each grid were checked once a week for a total of ten weeks (ten checks) with the first

check conducted over the 18th

& 19th October. ELA and staff from the Environment and Sustainable

Development and Territory and Municipal Services directorates shared the checking duties with each

undertaking five checks. The weekly checks (surveys) were conducted in the mornings and involved the

turning of each tile to inspect for any fauna activity underneath. Any fauna observed was identified

along with the grid location, tile number and date.

Where an individual SLL was captured, the following data was recorded onto a data sheet:

Grid location and grid type

Tile number

The length of the lizard (snout to vent and total length). In an effort to reduce stress on lizards and possible resultant shedding of tail sections, lizards were not always totally prised into a unfurled length, so measurements were in some cases, part estimates accurate to a few centimetres.

Any other notable features (scars, pattern of stripes etc.)

Photo numbers. Macro-photography was used to take images of the scales on the head of the

reptile to aid in re-capture identification (Figure 3). Images were also taken of the lateral

surfaces of the head.

On a few occasions more than one striped legless lizard was under the one tile, and only one of the

lizards could be captured, or particularly in the warmer part of the day some lizards avoided capture.

The location of lizards that could not be measured, but which were observed sufficiently to identify were

recorded.

The occurrence of shed skins under tiles was also recorded.

Opportunistic observations of other threatened grassland fauna, including Golden Sun Moth and

Perunga Grasshopper were also recorded.

All data sheets were entered into an electronic spread sheet for analysis and interpretation. ELA

collated all of the photographs and field data from the surveys for recapture identification and population

abundance estimates.

A density calculation was undertaken to describe the density of the species within each Grassland

Reserve. The calculations attempt to account for the movement of individuals around available habitat

by incorporating a buffer zone to the grid areas (Grid B (0.09 ha) & Grid A (0.45 ha)) and extrapolation

of the number of captures per grid. Two buffer zones were used in the density calculations for each grid;

no buffer and a 20m buffer. A conservative 20m buffer was used to account for the potential movement

and overlapping territories of the SLL within the study area.



Figure 2: Grid locations Crace, Gungaderra and Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve Note mapped area includes some parcels of urban open space



Figure 3: Methodology used to determine SLL individuals based on unique scale characteristics (Images:

TAMS Staff, 2012)

Recorded at G4A20 on the 9th Nov 2012

Recorded at G4B40 on the 21st Nov 2012

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3 Results

The SLL surveys undertaken by ELA and ACT Government staff during October - December in 2012

recorded individuals as occurring at most of the locations across three Grassland Nature Reserves.

The results of the surveys are presented below. Details of each individual SLL captured are presented

in Appendix A and opportunistic observations are presented in Appendix B.

The location of the SLL individuals recorded during the surveys across the three Grassland Reserves

and adjoining open space have been mapped and presented in Figures 4-6.

3.1 STRIPED LEGLESS LIZARD CAPTURES

3.1.1 Crace Grassland Nature Reserve Area

There were a total of 60 SLL identified from 84 captures within Crace (Table 1). A total of 490 tiles were

checked over the ten survey weeks, representing a capture success rate (using total captures) of

approximately 1.7%. Density calculations (individuals per hectare) varied considerably, ranging from

0.85 (SLL/ha) for Grid 5A to 155 (SLL/ha) for Grid 7B. All grids except Grid 6A recorded at least one

SLL. Grid 6A was set within a woodland vegetation community with a limited grassy understorey.

Table 1: Summary of SLL records from Crace

GRID # INDIVIDUALS TOTAL CAPTURES

1A 5 5

1B 6 6

2A 11 11

3A 2 2

3B 4 5

4A 2 4

4B 3 4

5A 1 1

5B 2 4

6A 0 0

7A 5 9

7B 14 27

8A 5 6

Total 60 84

3.1.2 Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve Area

There were a total of 90 SLL identified from 110 captures within Mulanggari (Table 2). A total of 490

tiles were checked ten times each, representing a capture success rate (using total captures) of

approximately 2.2%. Density calculations (individuals per hectare) varied considerably, ranging from

0.85 (SLL/ha) for Grid 1A to 133 (SLL/ha) for Grid 3B. All grids except Grids 4A and 2A recorded at



least one SLL. Grids 2A and 4A were set primarily within exotic pasture dominated by Phalaris aquatic

(Phalaris). Isolated paddock trees were also recorded at the southern end of Grid 4A. In contrast, high

SLL numbers were recorded in neighbouring grassland, to 2A, of similar habitat condition in 2011

(Biosis Research 2012).

Table 2: Summary of SLL records from Mulanggari


1A 1 1

1B 10 12

2A 0 0

3A 10 10

3B 12 19

4A 0 0

4B 1 1

5A 11 18

5B 10 12

6A 12 13

7A 7 8

8A 10 10

8B 6 6

Total 90 110

3.1.3 Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserve Area

There were a total of 101 SLL identified from 129 captures within Gungaderra (Table 3). A total of 480

tiles were checked ten times each, representing a capture success rate of approximately 2.7%. Density

calculations (individuals per hectare) varied considerably, ranging from 5.1 (SLL/ha) for Grid 2A to 177

(SLL/ha) for Grid 3B. All grids except Grid 2B recorded at least one individual SLL. Grid 2B occurred

on a hilltop dominated by native grasses and forbs, with occasional loose surface rocks.

Table 3: Summary of SLL records from Gungaderra


1A 8 9

1B 13 15

2A 6 9

2B 0 0

3A 6 7

3B 16 26

4A 8 11

4B 7 10

5A 7 7

5B 9 9

6A 8 12

6B 14 14

Total 101* 129



* SLL (G52) was observed at both Grid 4A & 4B. The total number of captures at Gungaderra has been adjusted accordingly.

3.2 DISTANCE TRAVELLED BY SLL

Across the three reserves, SLL were re-caught on 71 occasions. Of these 54 recaptures (76%) were

under the same tile, a further 6 (8.5%) of recaptures were under an adjacent tile 5m away (Table 4).

Only 6 (8.5%) of recaptures were further than 10m apart. There was only one record of movement

greater than 20m and that was of lizard G52 (pictured in Figure 3), which travelled 80m in two weeks in

November between tiles in Grid 4A and Grid 4B. The average distance between recaptures was 3.4m,

but a third of all movement was undertaken by one lizard.

Table 4: Distances travelled by SLL

DISTANCE BETWEEN

RECAPTURES (M) 0 5 7 10 15 15.8 18.02 20 80

Number of recaptures 54 6 1 4 2 1 1 1 1

% of recaptures 76 8.5 1.5 5.5 3 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

3.3 STRIPED LEGLESS LIZARD NON-CAPTURES

Lizards were observed but not captured, measured or photographed on 19 occasions within Crace, 20

occasions within Gungaderra and 18 occasions in Mulanggari. In addition shed skins were recorded

under 18 tiles from which no live striped legless lizard was observed. Table 5 indicates the distance

that a skin or non- captured individual was from a measured individual.

Table 5: Non-captured SLL

DISTANCE TO NEAREST RECORDED LIZARD (M) 0 5 10 15 20 >25

Shed Skin

Crace

Gungaderra

Mulanggari

3

4

2

2

5

0

6

1

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

2

-

-

Lizard not caught

Crace

Gungaderra

Mulanggari

3

7

6

2

7

1

8

2

6

-

2

1

2

-

1

4

-

1

If it is assumed that a shed skin or a non-caught lizard 10m or further from the location of a recorded

lizard is a new individual then 23 captures would be added to the Crace tiles, five captures would be

added to those of Gungaderra and 11 captures to those of Mulanggari.

3.4 STRIPED LEGLESS LIZARD DENSITY AND ABUNDANCE

A minimum estimate of the density and abundance of SLL across each of the three reserves and

adjoining open space can be made by assuming that all lizards present within a grid were observed

under a tile. Given that of the 251 individual lizards captured only 71 (29%) were recaptured the

assumption is likely to be conservative and underestimate the actual density.

The density and estimated abundance of SLL will differ according to whether data from shed skins and

non-captures is included and by the size of the buffer area placed around a grid to incorporate those

lizards that may move into a grid from the surrounding area. Based on previous trapping results buffer



areas of 10m (Williams et al 1995) or 20m (Biosis Research 2012) have been utilised. The results of

this study where 84.5% of all recaptures were within 5m of the initial capture, indicates that a 10m buffer

is likely to be sufficient.

The relatively small average movement of SLL also suggests that the design for the kangaroo grazing

tile (Grid type A) is unlikely to capture all lizards within a grid as distance to a nearest tile maybe be up

to 5m in one direction and 12.5m in another. This probably explains why density estimates from Grid A

arrays is much less than that estimated from Grid B arrays.

Table 6: SLL density measured at Grid A tiles (tiles & 10m buffer cover 8 arrays = 6.16 ha, 6 arrays = 4.62ha)

RESERVE

AREA

HABITAT

AREA

WITHIN

RESERVE

# CAPTURES SLL /

HA

POP

ESTIMATE

# CAPTURES +

LIZARDS/SKINS

OBSERVED >10M

FROM ANOTHER

SLL /

HA

POP

ESTIMATE

Crace (8

arrays) 130 31 5.03 654 48 7.79 1012

Mulanggari

(8 arrays) 140 51 8.28 1159 58 9.41 1317

Gungaderra

(6 arrays) 240 43 9.3 2232 45 9.74 2337

Table 7: SLL density measured at Grid B tiles (tiles & 10m buffer cover 5 arrays = 1.3 ha, 6 arrays = 1.56 ha)

RESERVE

AREA

HABITAT

AREA

WITHIN

RESERVE

# CAPTURES SLL /

HA

POP

ESTIMATE

# CAPTURES +

LIZARDS/SKINS

OBSERVED >10M

FROM ANOTHER

SLL /

HA

POP

ESTIMATE

Crace (8

arrays) 130 29 22.3 2899 35 26.9 3497

Mulanggari

(8 arrays) 140 39 30 4200 42 32.3 4522

Gungaderra

(6 arrays) 240 59

37.8

2 9072 65 41.67 9984

It is clear that all grassland reserves support large populations of SLL. There are at least in the order of

1000 – 3000 individuals at Crace, 2000-4000 individuals at Mulanggari and 3000 -9000 individuals at

Gungaderra.



3.5 OPPORTUNISTIC OBSERVATIONS

A number of non-target species were observed utilising the tiles during the surveys, including:

SPECIES # RECORDS

CRACE

# RECORDS

GUNGADERRA

# RECORDS

MULANGGARI

Delma inornata (Olive Legless Lizard - - 3

Pseudonaja textilis (Eastern Brown Snake) - 1

Lampropholis delicata (Delicate Skink) 9 8 12

Lampropholis guichenoti (Grass Skink) 22 - 1

Morethia boulengeri (Boulenger’s Skink) - 1 3

Menetia greyii (Common Dwarf Skink) - 2 3

Hemiergis decresiensis (Three-toed Skink) 41 - 10

Lymnodynastes tasmaniensis (Spotted Grass

Frog) - - 1

Uperoleia laevigata (Smooth Toadlet) - - 2

Centipedes of the Scolopendridae family 63 33 38

Centipedes of the Geophilidae family 2 5 5

Wolf Spider (Lycosidae family) 9 16 14

It is highly likely that multiple observations were made of individual animals. A table detailing

opportunistic observations of fauna recorded under the tiles within the three Grassland Nature Reserves

is included in Appendix B.

SLL was the most numerous vertebrate recorded under the roof tiles across all three reserves.

Six Golden Sun Moths were also recorded from three locations within Crace and two from Gungaderra

on the 18th December during check 10. The individuals were observed flying at Grid 1A, Grid 7B and to

the south-east of the model aircraft landing strip within Crace and at Grid 5A in the north-western

section of Gungaderra.



Figure 4: Striped Legless Lizard distribution and abundance Crace Grassland Nature Reserve



Figure 5: Striped Legless Lizard distribution and abundance Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve



Figure 6: Striped Legless Lizard distribution and abundance Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserve



4 Summary

Eco Logical Australia and ACT Government staff undertook targeted surveys (using artificial shelters)

for Delma impar (Striped Legless Lizard) across and adjoining three grassland nature reserves at

Crace, Mulanggari and Gungaderra, over ten weeks between October and December 2012. The aim of

the surveys was to provide information on the occurrence and density of SLL in the three Grassland

Reserve areas.

Artificial shelters were set across the three grassland reserves using two different grid formations:

Grid A: Consisted of 30 tiles in three rows of ten tiles (0.45 ha area 0.77 ha catchment area).

The rows were 25m apart and the tiles 10m apart

Grid B: Consisted of 50 tiles in five rows of ten tiles (0.09 ha area 0.26 ha catchment area).

The rows and tiles were 5m apart. Grid B was offset from Grid A by 50m at each location

Crace and Mulanggari each contained eight Grid A and five Grid B formations. The Grid A formations

at these two Grassland Reserves were set within the one hectare Kangaroo grazing monitoring sites.

Gungaderra contained six Grid A and six Grid B formations.

A total of 251 individual SLL were identified from 323 captures from the three Grassland Reserves

(Table 4). Gungaderra recorded the highest number of captures with the highest density recorded at a

single grid also observed at Gungaderra. All grids recorded at least one SLL capture except Grid 6A at

Crace, Grid 4A at Mulangarri and Grid 2B at Gungaderra.

Table 8: Summary for SLL targeted surveys

GRASSLAND TOTAL

SLL

TOTAL

CAPTURES

CAPTURE

RATE

NUMBER OF

TILES

POPULATION

ESTIMATE

Crace 60 84 1.7% 4900 1000-3000

Mulanggari 90 110 2.2% 4900 2000-4000

Gungaderra 101 129 2.7% 4800 3000-9000

All reserves support abundant populations of striped legless lizard and this lizard is the most abundant

vertebrate within the reserves.

There were 71 recaptures and most of these were under the same tile, with 84.5% of recaptures being

within 5m of the original capture location. One lizard moved 80m, while only 6 recaptures were further

than 10m distance, suggesting that a 10m buffer around tile arrays is probably a reasonable indication

of the area from which lizards may have been drawn to a tile.



References

ACT Government (1997). Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar): A vulnerable species. Action Plan No.

2. Environment ACT, Canberra.

ACT Government (2011). Survey Guidelines for Striped Legless Lizards. Conservation Planning and

Research, ACT Government.

Biosis Research (2012) Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) Survey and Vegetation Assessment

Report. Unpublished report by Bioisis to the ACT Government.

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPAC) (2011a).

Delma impar in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment,

Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPAC) (2011b).

Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened reptiles, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au.

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPAC) (2011c).

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Referral Guidelines for the Vulnerable

Striped Legless Lizard, Delma impar, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au.

Osborne, W.S., Kukolic, K. & Williams, K.D. (1993). Conservation of reptiles in lowland native

grasslands in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory,

Herpetology in Australia, pp. 151-158 in, Lunney, D. & Ayers, D. (eds.). Herpetology in Australia. A

Diverse Discipline. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Sydney.

Williams D.G., Osborne W., Georges A., and Holloway S. (1995) Principles and Strategic Options for

the Conservation of Native Grasslands and Their Threatened Fauna in Gungahlin, A.C.T. Applied

Ecology Research Group. University of Canberra.



Appendix A – SLL Capture Data

Key to Tables 7-9:

SV – Snout to vent length of SLL (mm)

TL – Total length of SLL (mm)

Table 9: Capture data from Crace Grassland Nature Reserve

ID GRID TILE SV TL CHECK # DATE

C1 1A 14 82 215 1 181012

C2 1A 18 100 212 1 181012

C3 1A 21 78 208 1 181012

C4 1A 21 70 210 5 191112

C5 1A 24 100 320 4 51112

C6 1B 2 95 245 4 51112

C7 1B 2 90 173 7 301112

C8 1B 13 90 250 5 191112

C9 1B 19 85 215 1 181012

C10 1B 35 70 192 1 181012

C11 1B 35 100 290 5 191112

C12 2A 4 75 240 5 151112

C13 2A 6 90 250 5 151112

C14 2A 7 70 210 5 191112

C15 2A 7 85 250 7 291112

C16 2A 8 102 200 1 181012

C17 2A 12 80 270 5 191112

C18 2A 12 105 305 5 151112

C19 2A 15 95 280 5 151112

C20 2A 15 96 282 7 291112

C21 2A 21 95 250 5 151112

C22 2A 25 85 255 4 51112

C23 3A 15 75 216 5 151112

C24 3A 16 72 220 1 181012

C25 3B 20 97 215 2 231012

C26 3B 21 94 275 5 151112

C27 3B 29 95 160 2 231012

C27 3B 29 90 162 5 151112

C28 3B 35 85 245 5 151112

C29 4A 12 75 240 5 151112

C29 4A 12 74 245 7 291112

C30 4A 30 100 235 6 191112

C30 4A 30 105 245 5 151112

C31 4B 27 105 158 2 231012

C32 4B 29 84 253 5 151112

C33 4B 42 95 270 5 151112

C33 4B 42 95 275 6 191112

C34 5A 13 95 270 2 231012




C35 5B 8 92 275 1 181012

C36 5B 13 95 225 3 291012

C36 5B 13 100 240 4 51112

C36 5B 32 97 228 2 231012

C37 7A 12 70 230 2 231012

C37 7A 12 90 280 3 291012

C38 7A 13 105 170 4 51112

C38 7A 13 105 165 6 31212

C38 7A 15 105 180 7 291112

C39 7A 14 84 265 2 231012

C40 7A 18 65 225 3 291012

C40 7A 18 70 240 7 101212

C41 7A 19 90 205 1 181012

C42 7B 2 92 175 7 291112

C43 7B 8 100 285 6 191112

C44 7B 9 96 285 1 181012

C44 7B 9 95 310 4 51112

C45 7B 10 100 280 3 291012

C45 7B 10 100 270 4 51112

C46 7B 15 80 145 1 181012

C47 7B 15 90 300 1 181012

C47 7B 15 95 310 2 231012

C47 7B 16 90 280 3 291012

C48 7B 20 106 247 7 291112

C49 7B 23 74 240 1 181012

C50 7B 23 70 110 3 291012

C50 7B 23 77 120 5 151112

C51 7B 27 105 290 5 151112

C51 7B 30 105 210 3 291012

C52 7B 37 90 200 6 31212

C52 7B 37 91 204 7 291112

C52 7B 39 90 215 3 291012

C52 7B 50 90 205 4 51112

C53 7B 42 105 180 5 151112

C53 7B 42 110 175 6 191112

C54 7B 43 100 305 1 181012

C54 7B 43 100 210 3 291012

C54 7B 43 110 210 4 51112

C54 7B 43 105 210 5 151112

C55 7B 43 110 205 5 151112

C56 8A 2 72 230 1 181012

C57 8A 3 70 240 6 191112

C58 8A 5 98 270 1 181012

C59 8A 7 90 235 4 51112

C59 8A 7 90 240 7 101212

C60 8A 14 70 214 5 131112

Total of 60 individuals from 84 captures



Table 10: Capture data from Gungaderra Grassland Nature Reserve


G1 1A 1 90 215 7 51212

G2 1A 11 73 215 5 141112

G3 1A 23 95 300 3 311012

G3 1A 23 95 295 7 291112

G4 1A 24 85 120 6 211112

G5 1A 24 98 n/r 7 291112

G6 1A 25 102 228 5 141112

G7 1A 27 95 190 7 51212

G8 1A 29 85 240 3 311012

G9 1B 1 90 250 5 141112

G10 1B 1 75 230 6 211112

G11 1B 5 100 265 6 211112

G12 1B 7 90 195 6 211112

G13 1B 8 72 220 6 211112

G14 1B 16 90 165 5 141112

G15 1B 16 80 220 6 211112

G16 1B 20 80 200 7 51212

G17 1B 24 90 280 7 291112

G17 1B 24 95 260 7 51212

G18 1B 26 75 240 3 311012

G19 1B 48 75 220 4 91112

G20 1B 48 105 295 7 291112

G21 1B 50 75 220 3 311012

G21 1B 50 75 235 5 141112

G22 2A 8 80 270 4 91112

G22 2A 8 83 252 5 141112

G23 2A 8 74 225 7 291112

G23 2A 9 77 224 5 141112

G24 2A 17 80 270 4 91112

G25 2A 25 98 138 5 141112

G25 2A 25 no no 7 291112

G26 2A 27 105 295 3 311012

G27 2A 28 70 230 3 311012

G28 3A 2 80 250 5 141112

G29 3A 2 75 230 6 211112

G30 3A 7 90 200 3 311012

G30 3A 7 105 210 5 141112

G31 3A 9 85 160 6 211112

G32 3A 12 90 270 6 211112

G33 3A 18 80 260 3 311012

G34 3B 1 90 260 5 141112

G35 3B 4 105 170 5 141112

G35 3B 21 70 260 6 211112

G36 3B 4 100 160 6 211112

G36 3B 7 94 132 7 291112

G36 3B 6 97 165 5 141112




G37 3B 7 80 170 3 311012

G38 3B 7 90 130 6 211112

G39 3B 11 95 180 3 311012

G40 3B 12 95 295 3 311012

G40 3B 12 97 215 5 141112

G41 3B 14 97 165 5 141112

G42 3B 20 94 210 5 141112

G43 3B 20 90 210 6 211112

G44 3B 22 80 245 3 311012

G45 3B 22 70 160 6 211112

G46 3B 27 60 165 6 211112

G47 3B 36 92 257 5 141112

G47 3B 37 100 260 7 291112

G47 3B 46 90 145 7 51212

G48 3B 36 85 245 6 211112

G48 3B 47 80 180 3 311012

G48 3B 47 91 193 5 141112

G48 3B 47 80 180 7 291112

G48 3B 47 92 195 10 181212

G49 3B 36 95 220 7 291112

G49 4A 1 85 175 4 91112

G49 4A 1 90 175 5 141112

G49 4A 1 90 155 6 211112

G49 4A 2 75 250 6 211112

G50 4A 11 90 260 3 311012

G51 4A 11 90 240 6 211112

G52 4A 20 85 235 4 91112

G52 4B 40 100 195 6 211112

G53 4A 20 95 220 6 211112

G54 4A 24 91 207 2 231012

G55 4A 25 90 280 8 121212

G56 4A 26 105 250 6 211112

G57 4B 6 70 220 4 91112

G57 4B 6 72 248 5 141112

G58 4B 11 90 250 3 311012

G59 4B 37 96 225 5 141112

G59 4B 38 80 230 3 311012

G60 4B 40 98 212 5 141112

G61 4B 48 75 235 3 311012

G62 4B 48 85 270 4 91112

G63 4B 49 80 280 7 291112

G64 5A 2 100 310 2 231012

G65 5A 2 85 270 7 5_12_12

G66 5A 9 90 170 8 121212

G67 5A 11 80 270 5 131112

G68 5A 13 90 160 7 51212

G69 5A 16 90 295 7 51212




G70 5A 17 85 155 7 51212

G71 5B 1 85 260 7 51212

G72 5B 2 90 290 7 51212

G73 5B 4 90 280 4 91112

G74 5B 17 96 280 4 91112

G75 5B 27 97 275 4 91112

G76 5B 31 95 210 7 291112

G77 5B 35 110 210 6 211112

G78 5B 37 100 280 7 291112

G79 5B 42 80 230 8 121212

G80 6A 2 85 170 7 51212

G81 6A 2 90 172 10 181212

G82 6A 3 95 170 6 211112

G82 6A 3 85 165 7 51212

G83 6A 4 85 194 2 231012

G83 6A 4 80 190 4 91112

G84 6A 8 103 174 7 291112

G85 6A 21 73 218 2 231012

G85 6A 21 70 230 4 91112

G85 6A 21 76 224 5 131112

G86 6A 22 98 210 5 131112

G87 6A 27 90 160 8 121212

G88 6B 2 90 270 8 121212

G89 6B 2 103 200 10 181212

G90 6B 9 80 190 4 91112

G91 6B 20 90 275 4 91112

G92 6B 27 75 225 4 91112

G93 6B 27 95 125 6 211112

G94 6B 27 85 260 7 51212

G95 6B 27 95 150 7 51212

G96 6B 29 95 265 6 211112

G97 6B 35 80 120 2 231012

G98 6B 37 80 265 4 91112

G99 6B 38 90 290 7 291112

G100 6B 46 90 105 6 211112

G101 6B 50 105 225 7 291112




Table 11: Capture data from Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve


M1 1A 12 97 276 7 301112

M2 1B 4 95 192 5 131112

M3 1B 10 70 195 2 231012

M4 1B 13 70 205 4 61212

M5 1B 14 70 125 4 61212

M6 1B 14 100 185 9 111212

M7 1B 15 80 110 2 231012

M8 1B 24 75 230 3 301012

M9 1B 26 105 250 5 131112

M9 1B 26 105 250 9 111212

M9 1B 26 104 246 10 211212

M10 1B 39 70 208 2 231012

M11 1B 41 90 125 5 131112

M12 3A 2 95 270 7 301112

M13 3A 8 75 215 5 131112

M14 3A 10 90 260 7 301112

M15 3A 12 75 160 5 131112

M16 3A 12 90 280 6 201112

M17 3A 14 88 247 5 131112

M18 3A 14 105 280 7 301112

M19 3A 15 60 175 4 61212

M20 3A 15 90 155 9 111212

M21 3A 23 83 260 4 61212

M22 3B 36 80 125 3 301012

M22 3B 36 80 85 4 61212

M23 3B 7 90 140 4 61212

M23 3B 7 100 140 5 131112

M23 3B 7 95 160 10 211212

M24 3B 8 90 260 5 131112

M25 3B 10 92 204 7 301112

M26 3B 12 100 160 4 61212

M27 3B 17 75 225 4 61212

M28 3B 19 95 277 7 301112

M28 3B 19 90 280 8 41212

M29 3B 20 85 141 7 301112

M30 3B 20 96 150 10 211212

M31 3B 24 75 210 6 201112

M31 3B 33 75 230 8 41212

M31 3B 34 85 230 5 131112

M31 3B 34 76 230 7 301112

M32 3B 25 90 95 4 61212

M33 3B 47 90 270 5 131112

M34 4B 34 80 140 3 301012

M35 5A 5 85 210 9 111212

M36 5A 13 100

7 301112

M36 5A 13 90 120 8 41212




M37 5A 17 90 235 5 131112

M37 5A 17 90 235 6 201112

M38 5A 19 70 215 9 111212

M39 5A 21 80 235 3 301012

M39 5A 21 80 235 4 61212

M40 5A 21 87 225 5 131112

M40 5A 22 85 215 5 131112

M40 5A 22 90 205 6 201112

M41 5A 23 95 250 5 131112

M41 5A 23 80 240 6 201112

M41 5A 23 83 235 7 301112

M42 5A 27 80 215 4 61212

M43 5A 27 99 269 10 211212

M44 5A 30 92 190 7 301112

M45 5A 30 80 160 8 41212

M46 5B 4 80 185 4 61212

M47 5B 16 76 248 5 131112

M47 5B 16 75 250 6 201112

M48 5B 17 90 270 7 41212

M49 5B 18 96 200 2 231012

M50 5B 19 84 166 2 231012

M51 5B 40 84 162 5 131112

M52 5B 40 90 270 10 211212

M53 5B 45 70 227 7 301112

M54 5B 45 100 215 7 301112

M55 5B 50 80 180 5 131112

M55 5B 50 90 190 2 231012

M56 6A 2 95 215 6 201112

M57 6A 4 90 250 3 301012

M58 6A 15 100 140 3 301012

M59 6A 17 85 269 5 131112

M60 6A 18 85 270 2 231012

M61 6A 18 105 265 7 301112

M62 6A 20 95 190 7 41212

M63 6A 22 95 220 2 231012

M63 6A 22 98 220 5 131112

M64 6A 24 90 180 2 231012

M65 6A 26 97 272 7 301112

M66 6A 27 85 140 3 301012

M67 6A 29 90 270 2 231012

M68 7A 3 94 195 7 301112

M69 7A 6 90 200 2 231012

M70 7A 15 78 155 5 131112

M71 7A 15 90 260 6 201112

M72 7A 18 100 180 7 301112

M73 7A 19 80 220 6 201112

M73 7A 19 80 205 9 111212




M74 7A 27 100 280 5 131112

M75 8A 1 90 110 7 41212

M76 8A 8 94 155 5 131112

M77 8A 9 90 150 4 61212

M78 8A 10 55 95 4 61212

M79 8A 14 95 290 6 201112

M80 8A 14 100 190 7 301112

M81 8A 15 90 140 3 301012

M82 8A 17 95 240 5 131112

M83 8A 27 70 205 2 231012

M84 8A 29 85 110 9 111212

M85 8B 1 90 155 2 231012

M86 8B 2 103 180 7 301112

M87 8B 9 95 190 7 41212

M88 8B 26 83 115 3 301012

M89 8B 32 100 170 3 301012

M90 8B 34 84 260 2 231012




Appendix B – Other Fauna Captures

Table 12: Other fauna identified from the SLL surveys

SITE GRID TILE SPECIES CHECK # DATE

Crace 1A 4 Centipede - Scolopendridae 10 181212




Crace 1A 20 Delicate Skink 7 101212

Crace 1A 8 Grass Skink 6 31212




Crace 1A 3 Skink 7 101212





Crace 1A 3 Three-toed Skink 10 181212












Crace 1A 1 Wolf Spider 10 181212

Crace 1B 4 Centipede - Geophilidae 4 51112

Crace 1B 10 Centipede - Geophilidae 6 31212

Crace 1B 23 Centipede - Scolopendridae 5 191112





Crace 1B 9 Grass Skink 5 191112



Crace 1B 23 Skink 7 101212






Crace 1B 16 Three-toed Skink 1 181012





















Crace 3A 8 Redback Spider 7 101212




Crace 3B 45 Delicate Skink 7 101212




Crace 3B 3 Wolf Spider 5 191112

Crace 3B 16 wolf Spider 10 181212




Crace 4A 6 Wolf spider 7 101212


















































Crace 5B 9 Grass skink 5 191112

Crace 5B 33 Unknown Skink 4 51112










































Gungaderra 1A 12 Centipede - Scolopendridae 5 141112



Gungaderra 1A 9 Delicate Skink 3 311012

Gungaderra 1A 9 Dwarf Skink 5 141112

Gungaderra 1A 16 Wolf Spider 6 211112

Gungaderra 1B 4 Centipede - Scolopendridae 5 141112



Gungaderra 1B 23 Delicate Skink 7 291112




Gungaderra 1B 28 Skink 1 181012



Gungaderra 1B 40 Wolf Spider 7 51212









Gungaderra 3A 18 Baby Brown Snake 7 51212

Gungaderra 3A 24 Centipede - Geophilidae 7 51212














Gungaderra 4A 29 Skink 1 181012

Gungaderra 4B 2 Boulengers Skink 8 121212






Gungaderra 4B 9 Dwarf Skink 5 141112




Gungaderra 5B 47 Centipede - Geophilidae 8 121212


























Mulangarri 1A 1 Centipede - Scolopendridae 6 201112








Mulangarri 1A 9 Drawf Skink 3 301012

Mulangarri 1A 9 Three-toed Skink 10 211212


Mulangarri 1B 38 Boulenger's Skink 6 201112

Mulangarri 1B 43 Centipede - Geophilidae 4 61112

Mulangarri 1B 1 Centipede - Scolopendridae 4 61112








Mulangarri 1B 30 Three-toed Skink 7 291112

Mulangarri 1B 5 Wolf spider 9 111212





Mulangarri 2A 1 Delicate Skink 6 201112


Mulangarri 2A 28 Spotted Grass Frog 2 231012











Mulangarri 3A 16 Wolf Spider 4 61112


Mulangarri 3B 1 Delicate Skink 6 201112









Mulangarri 3B 35 Garden or Boulengers Skink 7 41212

Mulangarri 3B 22 Grass Skink 6 201112

Mulangarri 3B 46 Grass Skink 6 201112








Mulangarri 4B 39 Dwarf Skink 5 131112


Mulangarri 5A 27 Boulenger's Skink 3 301012


Mulangarri 5A 8 Dwarf Skink 10 211212


Mulangarri 5B 30 Boulenger's Skink 6 201112





Mulangarri 5B 33 Smooth Toadlet 1 181012


Mulangarri 5B 32 Uperoleia sp. 2 231012

Mulangarri 5B 4 Wolf Spider 7 291112








Mulangarri 6A 9 Centipede - Geophilidae 7 291112
















Mulangarri 8B 33 Olive Legless Lizard 5 131112





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