Herpetology in Australia: a diverse discipline

Abstract

This overview of the present status of Australia's herpetofauna comprises 67 (mostly short) edited papers. Topics covered include: palaeoherpetology; Lophognathus gilberti in NSW; Ctenotus records in NSW; relevent Commonwealth legislation; conservation of reptiles and frogs in WA; freshwater turtle conservation; reptiles and amphibians in Australian zoos; Morelia spilota variegata in NSW; Tasmanian herpetofauna conservation; "The action plan for Australian reptiles'; reproduction biology of Chlamydosaurus kingii in the NT; habitat relationships among desert lizards in central Australia; and reptile conservation in native, lowland grasslands (NSW). In addition to the above the following subjects are reviewed: the use of fluorescent pigments to track Delmar impar; amphibian decline in Sydney; frog decline - review of environmental factors; nesting records for Dermochelys coriacea in northern NSW; hybrid zones in Australian frogs - conservation significance; frog status in Watagan Mountains (NSW); decline of Queensland frogs - update; Carlia rostralis behaviour in Queensland; sea turtles - research, conservation and management; Pseudonaja ingrami - distribution, ecology and morphology; pythons in WA - distribution, status and conservation; and the male reproductive cycle of Tiliqua scincoides scincoides. Five papers are abstracted separately. -S.R.Harris