The use of body condition and haematology to detect widespread threatening processes in sleepy lizards (Tiliqua rugosa) in two agricultural environments

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dc.contributor.authorSmyth, A.
dc.contributor.authorSmee, E.
dc.contributor.authorGodfrey, S.
dc.contributor.authorCrowther, M.
dc.contributor.authorPhalen, D.
dc.date.issued2014
dc.descriptionData accessibility: Haematological data are openly published at (doi:10.4227/05/537C5C5553F9E).
dc.description.abstractAgricultural practices, including habitat alteration and application of agricultural chemicals, can impact wildlife resulting in their decline. Determining which of these practices are contributing to declines is essential if the declines are to be reversed. In this study, the health of two geographically separated sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) populations was compared between a rangeland environment and cropping environment using linear body size index (LBSI) and haematology. Animals in the cropping site were smaller, suggesting genetic differences as the result of geographical isolation. The animals in the cropping site had a lower LBSI and many were experiencing a regenerative anaemia. The anaemia was postulated to be the cause of the low LBSI. The anaemia appeared to be the result of haemolysis and was likely to be caused by exposure to agricultural chemicals applied in the cropping site but not the rangeland site. Elevated white blood cell counts in lizards in the rangeland site suggested that they were experiencing an inflammatory disease of possible ecological significance. Together, these results demonstrate the value of combining physical and haematological parameters when studying the impact of agricultural practices on wildlife. They also show that reptiles may be useful as sentinel species for livestock and humans.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityAnita K. Smyth, Elizabeth Smee, Stephanie S. Godfrey, Mathew Crowther, and David Phalen
dc.identifier.citationRoyal Society Open Science, 2014; 1(4):1-13
dc.identifier.doi10.1098/rsos.140257
dc.identifier.issn2054-5703
dc.identifier.issn2054-5703
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/89429
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherRoyal Society Publishing
dc.rights© 2014 The Authors. Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.140257
dc.subjectanaemia; haemolysis; farm chemicals; haematology
dc.titleThe use of body condition and haematology to detect widespread threatening processes in sleepy lizards (Tiliqua rugosa) in two agricultural environments
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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