The reptile fauna of Nombinnie Nature Reserve and State Conservation Area, western New South Wales

Abstract

Nombinnie Nature Reserve and State Conservation Area form a large reserve system of 116,000 hectares in central western New South Wales. Systematic surveys for reptile fauna in 2003 revealed 204 individuals from 33 species from within five different vegetation communities. A review of literature from previous research in the area combined with this study reveal a total of 50 species of reptile fauna. The presence of two reptile species that are listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 is discussed. This study provides an updated inventory of reptile fauna for the largest area of continuous mallee shrubland remaining in NSW and identifies key differences in reptile diversity within vegetation communities.