Amphibolurus muricatus

Jacky Lizard at Tennent, ACT

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Identification history

Amphibolurus muricatus	11 Feb 2023	WillO
Rankinia diemensis	10 Feb 2023	CarbonAI
Unidentified	10 Feb 2023	CraigW

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6 comments

WillO wrote:

10 Feb 2023

Normally we would confirm that this is a Jacky Lizard (A. muricatus). However given the close proximity (about 4 km) of this site to other records of a very similar looking species the Nobbi Dragon (Diporiphora nobbi) we cannot rule this species out based on the photo. Females of the two species are very hard to tell apart without seeing the colour of the lining of the mouth, which is quite diagnostic - yellow in A. muricatus and pinkish in D. nobbi. With regard to the location, the site may be a little too cold for Nobbi Dragons which seem to be associated with the more northerly slopes of Mt Tennant. I will wait to see what John thinks, but this record might have to be accepted as a dragon lizard.

wombey wrote:

10 Feb 2023

I agree with Will, given the location, I would be hard pressed to tell muricatus from nobbi without a peak inside the mouth for this individual. I am happy to call it a dragon for the time being. We may be able to improve on that in the future.

CraigW wrote:

10 Feb 2023

Thanks WillO and wombey. Great to narrow down to two spp. If I see one again I'll try to get it to open its mouth

BrianLR wrote:

11 Feb 2023

Hmm, while I agree, I also think the spinose scales on the back legs, as well as the slightly longer snout lends itself to more likely be a Jacky.

wombey wrote:

11 Feb 2023

I agree Brian, my first instinct was to call it muricatus but backed off based on the locality

WillO wrote:

11 Feb 2023

Good observation to add Brian and I will now accept this as A. muricatus. Nobbi can also sometimes have slightly enlarged spinous scales along the back side of the rear legs, but not as large as these larger irregular scales appear to be in this photograph.

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