There no longer be dragons. Aussie reptile may be extinct
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Publicly released:
2019-05-22 09:01
Australian researchers have examined the Grassland Earless Dragons of south-eastern Australia in detail and identified two new species. But one of these new species has not been seen since 1969, raising the possibility it is the first extinction of a reptile on mainland Australia. The researchers say further surveys are immediately needed to confirm if the species is extinct.
Journal/conference: Royal Society Open Science
Link to research (DOI): 10.1098/rsos.190233
Organisation/s: Museums Victoria, The University of Melbourne, South Australian Museum, Victorian Government
Funder: Research support for this project provided by the Department of Environment and Planning, ACT Government
Media Release
From: The Royal Society
Taxonomy and conservation of Grassland Earless Dragons: new species and an assessment of first possible extinction of a reptile on mainland Australia.
Royal Society Open Science
Taxonomic research is of fundamental importance in conservation management of threatened species. The Grassland Earless Dragons of south-eastern Australia have long been of conservation concern but there have been ongoing taxonomic uncertainties. Our study revises two existing species and describes two new species. One of these species Tympanocryptis pinguicolla, has not been seen since 1969, raising the possibility of the first extinction of a reptile on mainland Australia. However, our results are equivocal as to whether T. pinguicolla is extant or extinct, emphasising the immediate imperative for continued surveys to locate any remaining populations of T. pinguicolla.
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