BIOLOGY AND ZOOGEOGRAPHY OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN WHEATBELT

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract: One hundred and ten species of reptiles and 17 species of frogs are recorded from the Western Australian wheatbelt. Data presented on distributions within the wheatbelt and adjacent areas indicate zoogeographic affinities with both the arid-zone and mesic south-west; the arid-zone component is predominant. The concept of a southwest biogeographic province does not accord particularly well with most distributions recorded; a much smaller region encompasses the distinct south-west elements of the herpetofauna. No reptiles or amphibians are endemic to the wheatbelt. Data on soil types suggest that reptile distributions are not as edaphically determined as previously thought. Woodlands are a major habitat for reptiles in the wheatbelt. Most reptiles were found to breed in spring to early-summer.