Reptiles and Amphibians on a University Campus in a Peri-urban Area of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Building upon a previous species inventory published in 2004 and based on observations between 2008 and 2011, I herein describe the reptile and amphibian assemblage on a university campus in the northwestern corner of the Sydney metropolitan area, Australia, recording 26 species of reptiles in nine families (Chelidae, Agamidae, Carphodactylidae, Scincidae, Varanidae, Typhlopidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, Pythonidae) and 13 species of amphibians in three families (Pelodryadidae, Limnodynastidae, Myobatrachidae). Included are records of the Macquarie Turtle (Emydura macquarii) and Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii), neither of which were considered indigenous to the campus in the previous inventory, and one observation of two Ornate Burrowing Frogs (Platyplectrum ornatum), which previously were thought to be only historically present at the site. Seven species predicted to be present on the campus by the previous inventory were confirmed by observations in this study. These observations demonstrate how green spaces on the periphery of one of the world’s largest cities can harbor a diverse assemblage of reptiles and amphibians.