Aspects of the morphology and reproductive biology of the Australian Earless Dragon LizardTympanocryptis tetraporophora

Abstract

In the small Australian dragon (agamid) lizard Tympanocryptis tetraporophora mean snout-vent length (SVL) does not differ significantly between the sexes within the species as a whole. However, in a large sample from Sturt National Park, in northwestern New South Wales, males are larger than females both in snout-vent length and in mass. Large specimens are notably lacking from collections made during the coolest time of year.The number of premaxillary teeth is not correlated with head size. However, the number of acrodont teeth on the maxilla and dentary increases with head size.The modal number of presacral vertebrae is 23. There is no sexual dimorphism in either the number of postsacral vertebrae or the number of postsacral vertebrae with transverse processes. Hyperphalangy occurs in 3.2% of specimens. Gross variation in the sacral vertebrae occurs in 5.3% of specimens.For allometric analysis, two samples were considered: specimens from Stud National Park and all other specimens. Head length and hind l...