Diet of the Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar (Squamata: pygopodidae) in a western (basalt) plains grassland, Victoria

Abstract

This study examined diet composition and specialisation of the Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar, a species of conservation significance in southeastern Australia. A small sample of 25 faecal pellets was collected opportunistically during the course of fauna surveys in the Derrimut Grasslands Reserve, Victoria. Their contents were examined and the invertebrate remains identified to the level of order. Invertebrate prey availability was estimated using samples collected from pitfall traps and dietary specialization was calculated using Levins (1968) standardized measure of niche breadth. A low measure was recorded (0.05-0.07) and mainly cricket, spider and noctuid moth were found in the faec..