Notes on the natural history of the Tussock Skink 'Pseudemoia pagenstecheri' from basalt plains grasslands near Melbourne

2012·2.5 MB·English

by  Grant S Turner

Research Reports
Notes on the natural history ofthe Tussock Skink
Pseudemoiapagenstecheri from basalt plains
grasslands near Melbourne
Grant S Turner
103SettlementRoad,Bundoora,Victoria3083.
Abstract
Fielddataandobservationsonthe naturalhistoryoftheTussockSkinkPseudemoiapagenstecheri inhabiting
the basalt plains grasslands near Melbourne are described based on the capture of141 ofthese lizards and
approximately 70 sightings. Mature females were larger and heavier than males and the adult sex ratio was
1:1. Therewasastronglinearcorrelationbetween snout-to-vent length (SVL) andboth tail length andhead
length; the natural logarithm ofboth SVL and masswere also strongly correlated. Skinks were active in all
monthsoftheyearwhenconditionswerefavourableandtheyusedprimarilystonesandgrasstussocksasboth
refugia andbaskingsites.Theytendedtooccursingly,bothwhen activeandsheltering. Parturitionoccurred
inDecemberandJanuary.SmallelapidsnakeswerefoundtopreyonP.pagenstecheriofallsizes. (TheVictorian
Naturalist129(2),2012,46-53)
Keywords: TussockSkink,basaltplains, size, activity,behaviour
Introduction
The Tussock Skink Pseudemoia pagenstecheri and by searching beneath ground cover (grass
is asmall, terrestrial, diurnallizardconfined to tussocks and surface stones) during daylight
the southeastern corner ofmainland Australia hours;capturewasbyhand. Capturerateswere
and Tasmania (Hutchinson and Donnellan notequalthroughouttheyear:theyweregreat-
1992; Bennett 1997; Hutchinson et al. 2001). est when lizards were inactive, and variable in
Pseudemoia pagenstecheri is a very common othermonths.Sizevariablesrecordedfromcap-
inhabitant of the basalt plains grasslands to tured lizards were: snout-to-vent length (SVL,
the north andwest ofMelbourne and this area ± 1 mm),taillength (TL,± 1 mm)andtailcon-
forms one of five disjunct regions comprising dition (original/incomplete/regenerated), mass
thespecies’distribution (Hutchinsonand Don- (M,±0.01 g)and(inabout30%oflizards)head
nellan 1992; Larwill 1995). The life history of length(HL,±0.1 mm;asmeasuredfromthetip
P.pagenstecheri has been the subject ofseveral ofthe snout to the distal point ofthe parietal
studies (Ward 1978; Hudson 1988, 1997) and scale along the midline). Other data recorded
the species reproductive mode has also been included reproductive status (i.e., gravid/not
examined (Thompson and Stewart 1994). In gravid, post-parturient; see below), activity
thecourseofdoingreptilesurveysofWerribee- (i.e., basking, active or secluded) and general
Keilor grassland plains near Melbourne, data condition of skinks. The sex of adult lizards
and observations were collected on the size, was inferred from existing secondary sexual
appearance, habitat use and behavior ofP pa- characters, notably the presence/absence ofan
genstecheri and this, along with captive obser- orange-red mid-lateral stripe in mature male
vationsofthespecies, aredetailedbelow. skinks. In populations west ofMelbourne the
Methods stripe is present throughout the year, although
Fourremnantbasaltplainsgrasslandswithin25 itismorevividduringlatesummertoearlywin-
km ofthe Melbourne CBD were regularlyvis- ter(HutchinsonandDonnellan 1992).Swelling
ofthe tail base (indicative ofswollen hemipe-
ited between 1991 and 1994. Grasslands were —
nes pairedcopulatoryorgans) was also used
located at Craigieburn, Deer Park, Bundoora to confirm the sex ofadult males as was ever-
and Altona; only fragments ofthe latter three sion ofthe hemipenes in some instances. The
nowexist due to the expansion ofhousing and
abdominal region of females was palpated to
industrial developments. Lizards were located
establishiftheyweregravidorpost-parturient;
by visual inspection ofpotential basking sites
46 TheVictorianNaturalist
Research Reports
—
heavilygravid femaleswere easilyidentifiedby her mass after birth: and RCM2 the total
their general ‘bloated’ appearance. Males were mass ofneonates divided by the female’s mass
deemed sexually mature (i.e., adult) if SVL immediatelyafterbirth.
> 39 mm and females ifSVL > 40 mm, based
Results
oFanecdaaltasaimnpHluetscfhrionmsosnoamnedpDootennnteilallapnre(d1a9t9o2r).s A total of 141 Tussock Skinks were captured.
Approximately 70 more eluded capture but
were collected and examined for the presence
wereobservedfromadistance.
ofskinkscales.
EightP.pagenstecheri(comprisingfour males Size,growthandappearance
and four females) were kept in captivitywhere Mature females were significantly larger than
mm
theywerehoused together in aglass aquarium mature males: mean female SVL was 57.4
mm
on a gravel substrate with dry grass tussocks, (n = 53) and mean male SVLwas 52.9 (n
several stones for refugia and a small water = 54; t = 3.760, 98 df, P = 0.0003). The mean
bowl.Theywerefedonadietoflivefood,main- adultfemaleandmale masswas2.48g(n= 19)
lychoppedearthworms, mealworms and small and 2.41 g (n = 30) respectively. These were
crickets when available. The females each pro- not significantly different (f= 0.259, 30 df, P =
ducedyoung and werehoused separatelyfrom 0.798, but see below). The largest female SVL
mm
the males until parturition in order to gather was 69 and the heaviest non-gravid fe-
data on relative clutch mass, neonate size and male weighed 4.06 g (with an incomplete tail)
appearance. The enclosures received sunlight and was located in mid-winter. The heaviest
fromanorth-facingwindow. individual was a gravid female weighing 5.78
Dataanalysis g. Tmhemlargest and heaviest male had a SVL of
Statisticalanalysisofdatawasperformedusing 62 and weighed 3.43 g and was located in
SriPcSvSar(iV.albl1e)sanwderMeSeiEtxhceerln(o2r00m7a)l.lyModripsthroimbuette-d wmesietdr-eswki0in.nt8ke2r(g.aanTenhodena0lt.ieg7h)0tegwsatrseasdlpuoelccttaitfveeedlmyai.lneTDhaeencdesmmmabalellre-
or natural-log transformed in order to satisfy and had a SVL of 22 mm. The mean dimen-
the assumptions of the parametric statistical
tests employed (Student t-test, ANCOVA, or- wseiornes:oSfVnLeo2n2a.t8esmfmr,omTfLou2r9.c3apmtimve-abnodrnwleiitgtehrts
dinary least squares regression and correla-
tion). Coefficients in regression equations are 0.M1a9sgs(aTanbdleSV1)L. were highly correlated within
cquoomtpeadrewditbhysmteanadnasrdoferornoersa.nFdretqwuoe-nwcaieystawbelrees eIancShVLse-x((9F.i8g.9 ±1;0m.a5l9e3s):, rI2n=M0.=91(52,.7P3<±00..0105011),
using the x2 statistic with Yates correction for n = 31; females: InM = (2.65 ± 0.146) InSVL -
continuity applied (Sokal and Rohlf 1995).
(9.67 ± 0.578), 0.952, P < 0.0001, n = 19).
Gravid and post-parturient females and in-
Malesandfemalesdifferedsignificantlyinmass
dfo—ifrvorimtedlhuaeaatlnisdaveilwfycfisleeturshtecniihcnnevcmooablmsevpstilnwewgeteeemrnaetsatscihla.selcTwufewlearmoteaeldmee:’exsacRslCmuuarMdsee1sds w=45h1ed5fn.,50SP5V,=LP0w.=a70s03;.c0oi0nn0tt2re;orlcFleiepgdtusrfeotr=1(2sA.l8oN1pC,eOs4V6tA=d:f,0.P387=,5
0.0073). Theslopeoftheregressionline
immediately before and after birth, divided by
Table1.DatafromfourlittersofTussockSkinksPseudemoiapagenstecheri.Thetwomeasuresofrelative
clutchmassRCM1/2,themeansnout-to-ventlengthSVL,taillengthTLandmassaregivenforeachlitter.
FemaleSVL Dateof LitterSize RCM1/2 SVL TL Mass
(mm) Birth (mm) (mm) (g)
57 25Jan. 5 _ 23.0 25.8 0.18
57 23Dec. 6 1.28/0.62 22.2 30.8 0.16
55 30Dec. 4 0.89/0.44 23.9 31.3 0.20
65 31 Dec. 6 0.65/0.40 22.2 29.5 0.21
Vol 129 (2) 2012 47
Research Reports
70-
05“
60-
55-
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_>i o
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20“ 1
Fig. 1.ThenaturallogarithmofSVLversusthenatu- ian *"et) Mar Apr May Jun Ju! Sep Oct Nov Dec
rallogarithm ofmassin TussockSkinksPseudemoia Month
pagenstecheri. Regression lines are given for males
(solid circles, solid line) and females (open circles,
brokenline). Fig. 2. Monthlydistribution ofSVLs (in mm) in the
Tussock Skink Pseudemoiapagenstecheri (n = 111).
differedmarginallyfrom theexpectedvalue(3) Notethatidenticaldatapointsarenotdistinguishable
in females (t=2.43, 19df,P=0.026) butnotin intheplot.
males (t= 1.78,31 df,P= 0.085). that maturity, in some individuals, is attained
In all individuals with original tails, TL ex- by about 12 months ofage since the smallest
ceeded SVL and there was a strong linear rela- skinks recorded inJanuaryand Decemberhad
tionship between these two variables described SVLs > 40 mm. The sexratio ofthe adultswas
bytheregressionequation:TL= (1.411 ±0.151) 1: 1 (55malesand55 females).
SVL+ (2.804±0.593) (r2=0.755, P< 0.0001,n The frequencyofsloughing (shedding ofold
=53).ThenumberofTussockSkinkswithorigi- deadskin) in adultscouldnotbereliablydeter-
nal tails did not differ between the sexes (34% mined due to the small sample size. No skinks
females, 42% males; x2= 0.38, 1 df, P= 0.537). (adult or juvenile) were observed sloughing
mm
The longest (original) TL was 95 from a in winter; two adults were sloughing in April
malewithaSVLof57mm.Injuvenilesandsub- (while in another adult sloughing was immi-
adults the proportion ofindividuals with origi- nent at this time) and one adult in early May.
nal tails was significantly higher than in adults Twojuvenileswere sloughingin February.
(80%juveniles, 38% adults x2= 19.47, 1 df, P < The presence of black patches on the rear
0.0001). There was also astronglinearrelation- limbs was noted in adult males and has not
ship between SVL and HL described bythe re- been mentioned previously in general descrip-
gression equation: HL = (0.084 ± 0.005) SVL + tions ofthe species. Black patches occurred on
(3.177±0.275) (r2=0.822,P< 0.0001,n=36). the posterior surface ofthe femoral and tibial
Adult P. pagenstecheri comprised 74% of all regions ofthe rearlimbs (Fig. 3). Patches typi-
skinks caught and 61% of all those observed. cally extended unbroken from the rear limb-
The monthlydistributionofSVLs (Fig. 2) indi- body junction down to the base of the foot.
cated apparentvariationinthe sizestructureof Patches were sharply demarcated from the
populations (oratleastthesample) throughout dorsal ground colour. Most males (83%; 45 of
theyear. In Decemberand Januarythe greatest 54)capturedduringtheperiodApriltoSeptem-
rangeinSVL (approx. 40mm) occurreddueto ber(inclusive)haddistinctblackpatchesonthe
thepresenceoftheneonatecohort,whileinthe rear limbs,and approximatelyhalfhad swollen
wintermonths the detected SVLrangewas less hemipenes (n = 23); ofnine males captured in
(approx.30mm),presumablyduetothegrowth Februarytwo had distinct blackpatches but in
of this cohort. The distribution also suggests the remainder black patches were present but
48 TheVictorianNaturalist
Research Reports
Fig. 3. Black patches (indicated by arrows) on the rear limbs ofan adult male Tussock Skink
Pseudemoiapagenstecheri.
faint. This may indicate seasonal variability in wasnotwitnessedin captive skinksbutdid oc-
the intensity of the black patches, and is sup- cur during daylight hours (see also Hudson
ported bythe apparent fadingofblackpatches 1999). Litter size in four females ranged from
in three adult captive males. Only one female fourto six (Table 1).
(2%; 1 of 53) had faint black patches. Black A two-fold difference in each measure of
patches were not observed in anyjuveniles. In RCM (relative clutch mass) was found (cf. Fe-
six small males (SVL 35 - 40 mm), three had male 2 and 4, Table 1). A comparison of the
developedblackpatchesandhadswollenhemi- tworelativeclutch massmeasuresalsoexhibita
peneswhiletheremainderexhibitedneitherat- two-folddifference,indicatingthatasignificant
tribute. The smallest male with black patches loss offluids and fetal material occurs at birth,
had a SVL of37 mm. Given the occurrence of andisvirtuallythesameasthecombinedmass
black patches predominantly (or perhaps ex- oftheneonatesinthelitter (see Hudson 1999).
clusively) in males they mayrepresent another In six females, pitting and minor scale dam-
formofsexualdichromatism. age on the upper flank (shoulder region) was
evident and two females located in May had
Reproduction
fresh abrasions around the neck and upper
Heavily gravid females were recorded in No-
vember (n = 6) and December (n = 5). In ad- filnajnukrsi;esthaeretciomnisnigstaenndtowcictuhrrgerinpcebiotfetshaepspelmiiednobry
dition, a female accidentally killed on the 21st male skinks when attempting to mate (Hutch-
November was found to be gravid with eight
inson and Donnellan 1992). Neither courtship
mid-term embryos (see below). Post-partu-
normatingwasobserved.
rient females were recorded in late December
through to late January (n = 6). Neonateswere Dietandpredators
observed in the field during late December (n Four field observations were noted of skinks
= 9) andthroughout January(n = 6). This was attempting to feed on dipterans (flies) (n = 2),
consistentwiththetimingofparturitionincap- a small Black Field Cricket Teleogryllus com-
tivefemales(Table 1). Parturition(givingbirth) modus (n = 1) and a small caterpillar (n = 1).
Vol 129 (2) 2012 49
Research Reports
The remainder ofdata on the diet ofP.pagen- quite rapid movementwhen disturbed. In cool
stecheriwasobtainedfromfaecalpelletscollect- weather during summer months, lizards shel-
ed from 14 adults. Thesecontained avarietyof tered beneath stones and amongst grass tus-
insect fragments, including small unidentified socks byday. On being disturbed when active,
coleopterans (beetles)and dipterans (flies). skinks would typically retreat into the grassy
Faecal samples and regurgitated food items ground layer orbeneath stones; on several oc-
frombothadultandjuvenileLittleWhipSnakes casions skinks sought refuge down cracks in
Parasutaflagellum (n = 32), juvenile Eastern claysoil.
Brown Snakes Pseudonaja textilis (n = 15) and Onlyon three occasions were multiple P.pa-
juvenile Lowland Copperheads Austrelaps su- genstecheri found together beneath the same
perbus (n = 3) indicatethatthese snakesareall stone. On each ofthese occasions two skinks
predatorsofPseudomoiapagenstecheri.Numer- were present (an adult and juvenile; two fe-
ous P. pagenstecheri scales were found in the males; an adult male and female), and they
samples. Regurgitated Tussock Skinks (n = 14) were well separated (>0.15 m). On five occa-
ranged in size from neonates to adults. Three sions P.pagenstecheri were located with one or
dead and partially consumed P. pagenstecheri more Garden Skinks Lampropholis guichenoti
were located beneath stones occupied by large beneath the same stone, but not in direct con-
scolopendridcentipedes;inoneinstanceacen- tact. During winter they were found cohabit-
tipedewasobservedfeedingonadeadskink. ing with known predators: Parasutaflagellum
Refugia habitatuseandactivity (n = 2) and juvenile Pseudonaja textilis (n =
Shelterin,g P pagenstecheri were predominantly 1). They were also recorded beneath the same
stones as Spotted Marsh Frogs Limnodynastes
located beneath surface stones and in the grassy
groundlayer(especiallythebaseoftussocks).They tasmaniensis (n = 5) and GrowlingGrassFrogs
werealso foundbeneath fallenlimbsofthe River Litoria raniformis(n =2).
Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis (in northern Though primarily ground-dwelling in habit,
grasslands) and other ground debris (e.g. lino- adult P pagenstecheri were often (n > 15) ob-
served perched on the bladesandpeduncles of
leum,corrugatediron,cardboard,etc.).
Pseudemoiapagenstecheriweremostcommon KangarooGrasstussocksinthefield,particular-
in grasslandhabitats thathadarelativelyopen, lyonovercastorcoolsunnydays.Theheightsat
grassy, ground-layer. Fewer P pagenstecheri which lizards were perched did not exceed 0.6
were detected in dense stands ofungrazed and m. Perching was commonlyobserved in dense
infrequentlyburned Kangaroo Grass Themeda (un-burnt)standsofKangaroo Grasswherelit-
triandra than those with some grazing and/or tleor nosun-light reachedgroundlevel. When
more frequent (mosaic) burning. Lizards were approached, these lizards would quickly alight
uncommon in heavily grazed grasslands, even into the grassy ground-layer. They were also
ifsurfacestonewascommon.Thefloristiccom- regularlyobserved baskingon topofstones.
position of grasslands where P. pagenstecheri Behaviour
occurred seemed less importantthan the pres- Field observations of the behaviour of P. pa-
enceofagrassygroundlayer,sincetheseskinks genstecheri (besidesretreatingorbasking) were
werefoundtobereasonablycommon in sever- few owing to the difficultly in approaching
al grassland remnants that consisted predomi- lizards without disturbing them. Some note-
nantlyofexoticgrassesandherbs. worthyobservations on thebehaviorofcaptive
Pseudemoiapagenstecheri appearedto exploit individuals described here relate to interspe-
suitable conditions for activity throughout the cificaggression,baskingposture, tail wriggling
year. Individuals were observed either basking andsleepinginwater.
or active in all months. Only in winter were 1. The largest male (SVL 62 mm) ofthe cap-
theyinactiveforextendedperiods;however,on tive group consistently behaved aggressively
sunny winter days lizards would emerge from towards otheradultmales,approachingthem
cover to bask. Even when inactive beneath usually from behind and lunging at them
stones during winter they were still capable of from a short distance, firmly grasping them
50 TheVictorianNaturalist
Research Reports
on the tail, bodyor head. Males subjected to sprint away from the snake. These tail move-
these attackswouldattempt tobreakfree,but 4.ments were very similar to those exhibited
retaliation was not observed. Immediately duringaggressiveinteractionsbetween males
priorto andduringtheattacks,smallermales andin neonateswhenhandled (seeabove).
exhibited slow lateral undulations ofthe tail. SomecaptiveP.pagenstecheri(n=4)wereob-
Females and a small male were ignored by servedsleepinginthewaterbowl,ratherthan
the large male and did not react to the skir- on the gravel substrate or beneath ground
mishes taking place centimetres away from cover in the enclosure. The skinks slept fully
them. At times the large male was so preoc- submerged except for the tip of the snout,
cupied with biting that it would not release andemergedeachmorningtobask.Observa-
its grip even when handled. The bites were tionsoccurredduringthewinter (June)when
sometimes maintained for up to 30 seconds the minimum night air temperatures were
(n=3).Noapparentinjuriesresultedfromthese slightlybelow 10°C.
bites, though the large male was eventually
Discussion
separated from the group in order to prevent
Body sizes and the timing ofreproduction re-
aggressiveencounters.
corded here are in close agreement with previ-
Neonates would avoid adult skinks byseek- ousstudiesofaPpagenstecheripopulationfrom
ing refuge when approached. Therefore they
grasslands in Laverton, west of Melbourne.
wateerleyamfotevrebdirttho.sAepdaerlaatyeienntchleosruermeosvailmmoefdnie-- AbdeullotngPe.rptahgeannstmeaclheesrianfdemtahleesSVarLemkenaonwsnantdo
onates fromonelitterresulted inoneneonate extremes (22 to 69 mm) recorded in this work
being consumed by its mother, and another correspondcloselywiththoseofpreviousstud-
losing its tail. When handled, some neonates ies (Hutchinson and Donnellan 1992; Hudson
commenced slow lateral undulations of the
1997). The heaviest non-gravid female found
tail, sometimesfollowed bytwistingand flip- in this study was significantly heavier than
pingofthebody.
2.alAlyecxuhriiboiutsedbbasykcianpgtipvoesstkuirnekswa(ns=oc5c)awsihoenn- psinroentvhi1io9su9s7wl)oy.rkdCeltu(t4e-cr8hm)isniwezadesf(wr4io.t0mh6itnvhsepr3se.mv2a0ilolug;sslayHmupddle-e-
theyemerged to baskon sunnywintermorn- termined ranges (1-14: Ward 1978, Hudson
ings. Within minutes ofemerging, the limbs, 1997) as were neonate size, mass and RCM
one-by-one or occasionally in pairs, were
(Hudson 1997, 1999). The significant negative
raised clear of the substrate, fully extended allometry (proportional growth) in the SVL-
and pressed flush against the body, with dig-
mass relationship in females is possibly due to
its pointing towards/along the tail. This gave theinclusionof(under-weight) post-parturient
skinks a streamlinedappearance (Fig.4). The
females in the sample. The timing ofparturi-
rear feet were usuallypropped up on the tail tion (December-January)andthegrowth rate
but in some skinks they were in their usual
restingpositionbutwiththekneesawkwardly (i.e., the attainment ofadult size at 12 months
ofage) inferred from the monthlydistribution
pointing upwards. The basking posture was
maintained for 5-13 minutes (n = 12), after ofSVLs (Fig. 2) wereboth consistentwithpre-
viousstudies (Hudson 1997, 1999).
which time the skinks became active. This
The significance of the black rear limb
samebaskingposturewasobservedinadultR
pianggeonsntescuhnenryiwiinnttheerfdiaeyldst(hnat=w4e).re alsobask- poabtvcihoeuss isnincaed,ultto mthaelehuPmapangeenyseteactheleraist,istnhoety
are neither brightly coloured nor prominently
3. Tail-wriggling was observed on four occa- located. Pseudemoia pagenstecheri were not
sions in captive skinks in response to their
observed to use their rearlimbs invisual com-
being placed next to an enclosure containing
munication; however, two species ofLampro-
several Parasutaflagellum. Skinks reacted by
pholis do so (Daly 1993; Torrand Shine 1994).
cuenadsuilnagtiaollnsmoofvetmheenttailexlacsetpitngfo5r-s1l0owselcaotenrdasl It would be of interest to know whether the
patchesareconspicuousoutsidethevisiblelight
(n = 6). This was followed by a short rapid
Vol 129 (2) 2012 51
Research Reports
Fig. 4. An unusual basking posture exhibited by an adult Tussock Skink Pseudemoia
pagenstecheri.
spectrum (e.g. in the UV spectrum) since UV tobewidespread amongstskinkgenera. I have
visualcapacityand structureswithhigh UVre- also observed overwintering Striped Skinks
flectance are known in lizards (e.g. Fleishman Ctenotus robustuswith their rear limbs slightly
etal. 1993;Blombergetal. 2001). Alternatively, adpressed with the feet resting up on the tail
given the patches are most intense during the in a similar fashion to some basking P. pagen-
cooler months of the year, they may instead stecheri. Sleeping in water has been observed
aidinthermoregulation rather than communi- inwildGippslandWaterDragonsPhysignathus
cation; but why they should occur mainly (or lesueurii howitti (Turner 1999) where it was
exclusively) in males is unclear. Two published presumed to be of thermoregulatory benefit,
photographswhere the blackrearlimb patches and this might also be true in P pagenstecheri
areclearlyshownareinHutchinsonetal. (2001: although the behaviour has not been observed
35) andSwan etal (2004: 181). in the field. Infanticide by a female P pagen-
Several behaviours reported here have been stecherihasbeenrecordedpreviouslyincaptiv-
notedpreviouslyinP.pagenstecheriorreported ity(Hudson 1999).
in other skink species. The climbing of grass Acknowledgements
tussocks has been observed in populations of The author gratefully acknowledges the referees for
P. pagenstecheri from the Australian Capital their improvements to the manuscript, andalso Val
Territory (Bennett 1997) and also in the sym- Turnerformakingthe effortto locate several ofthe
patric Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar references.SkinkswereheldincaptivityunderWild-
(Turner2007a). Abaskingpostureverysimilar lifeLicenseP02006619.
to that described above has been observed in References
the Southern Water Skink Eulamprus tympa- BeTnenrertittorRy.(1(9N9a7t)ioRneapltiPlaersksanAdssForcoigastioofnthoefAtuhsetAraClTi,aWCaopditeanl
num (see Fig. 31.10 in Hutchinson (1993)) and ACT)
in the Mt Bartle Frere Skink Techmarscincus BlombergSP,OwensIPFandStuart-FoxD(2001)Ultraviolet
reflectance in thesmall skink Carliapectorialis. Herpeto-
jigurru(Turner2007b)indicatingthatitislikely logicalReview32(1), 16-17.
52 The VictorianNaturalist
- 1
Research Reports
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OneHundredand FiveYearsAgo
Field Naturalists work: itsvalueto teachers
By Hocking, B.A., Principal, Melbourne Continuation School
J.
Theworkdone...inthefieldshowedthatNature-studyisnotprimarilyaclass-roomsubject,norcanitbebest
taughtbymeansofmuseumandtext-book.Classroomlessonsmayevenbeuninterestinganddisconnected.
Onemaystudyformandstructure,andgainknowledge,butexpertsareagreedthatNature-studymustbegin
inthefield.Movementandcolourarefoundthere,adaptationofstructuretoenvironmentislearntbythe
sea-sideorinthetea-treeglade,therelationoftheinsecttotheplantandthebalanceofNaturecanonlybe
studiedintheopen.Scaleinsectsdestroythehoneysuckle,insectivorousbirdsdestroytheseinturn.Again,
ourbestthoughtsofNaturerestonarealisticback-ground.Someassociationformedlongsince,itmaybe,
butreadytospringintobeingagainatthefirstsuggestion.Theflowerofthegorseisbeautifulinitself,but
itsbeautyisintensifiedwhen,intheearlymorning,thehedgeofgoldenbloomsisseenwindingawaytothe
horizon.Thegloryofsunriseandofsunset,thegrandeurofthe mountain rangepurpledbydistance,the
profusion ofthefern gully, thesparkleand musicofthewaterfall, the majestyofthe gathering thunder-
clouds,cannotbebroughtintotheschool-room.Outofdoorsthereisaccesstoappropriateconditions.Data
mustbecollected,andageneralfamiliaritywith thingscultivated.Ageologicalspecimengivesnoideaof
geologicaltime,adriedplanttrailswithitnothingofthegloryofskyandwoods,thatthelarvaoftheBuprestis
isdestructivetotreesmeansnothingwhentold,buttoseethelarvaeatworkgivesmeaningtothestatement.
From TheVictorianNaturalistXXIII,p.234, March7, 1907
Vol 129 (2) 2012 53