Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Delma vescolineata
Gazetted date:
11 Oct 2024
Profile last updated:
07 May 2025
Description
The Hunter Valley delma Delma vescolineata (family Pygopodidae) is a legless or flap-footed lizard that grows to approximately25 cm in total length, with a maximum snout-vent length of 10 cm. As with other legless lizards, the Hunter Valley delma lacks forelimbs and has very reduced hind limbs which are apparent as small flaps on either side of the vent. The top of the head is dark grey to light brown and uniform or with darker streaks or spots. There are scattered dark bars, spots or smudges on the scales bordering the mouth, the ear and sides toward the front of the body. Behind the ears and along the sides, the colour may be a slightly rusty-yellow colour. The rest of the body is light brown, often with some dark flecks along the top of the side of the body. Most individuals have a pale line running from behind the ear along the body. Some individuals may have two such lines. The underside is white, and the internasal scale is fused to the 1 supralabial scale. Too few specimens of this species have been collected, or observed, to determine if itis sexually dimorphic. A single juvenile has been discovered which had a dark head tending towards black which extended to the top and sides of the neck, the rest of the body being brown and without pattern.
Until recently, Delma vescolineata was considered to be a subpopulation of the more widespread Delma impar (striped legless lizard). Recent morphological and molecular analyses of the phylogenetic relationships between D. impar sensu stricto and individuals of what are now known as D. vescolineata revealed the latter to be a separate species.
Distribution
Delma vescolineata is known almost entirely from a 25 km wide corridor in theHunter Valley, between Maitland and Muswellbrook, New South Wales. A further specimen has been identified from just north of Parraweena on the Liverpool Plains, approximately 80 km north-west of Muswellbrook. It is possible that D. vescolineata is more widespread in this region. The sites where the species has been detected include rehabilitated mine sites and pastoral land used for cattle grazing. At this time, no sites occur within a protected area. There are insufficient genetic samples of this species to determine if there is any sub-structuring of the population.
It is assumed that the population in the Hunter Valley is adequately connected to represent one subpopulation per the IUCN (2024) definition, with the isolated record 80 km to the north-east currently considered a separate subpopulation. No population census for Delma vescolineata has been undertaken, hence there is insufficient information available to estimate the number of mature individuals.
Habitat and ecology
- Found mainly in Natural Temperate Grassland but has also been captured in grasslands that have a high exotic component.
- Has also been recorded in secondary native grassland remaining after the removal or dieback of previous woody canopy vegetation in association with sparse box-gum or ironbark woodland.
- The primary canopy species consists of Eucalyptus melliodora and Eucalytus crebra, with a diverse ground cover layer containing multiple grasses including Austrostipa spp., Bothriochloa spp., and Chloris spp.
- Sometimes found in grasslands with significant amounts of surface rocks, which are used for shelter. It has also been found sheltering under discarded rubbish, including building rubble, metal and organic waste.
- Has also been detected under dried cow pats in agricultural land that is heavily disturbed by livestock and contain no natural surface refugia and sheltering in roadside verges.
- The closely related striped legless lizard feeds mainly on crickets, spiders, Lepidopteran larvae, and cockroaches
- Legless lizards actively forage for food as well as exhibit sit-and-wait
ambush feeding. Several Delma vescolineata specimens have been
collected while active during the day, indicating both diurnal and either crepuscular, or nocturnal activity.
- Adult females in other Delma species are thought to lay up to two eggs annually in
December–January under rocks and in soil cavities. It is likely that Delma vescolineata displays similar behaviour.
- Goes below ground or under rocks or logs over winter.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Habitat loss and fragmentation. The primary threat to Delma vescolineata is habitat clearance for mining, energy projects and urban development.
- Habitat degradation through pasture improvement including rock removal, slashing, ploughing and sowing of non-native species.
- Habitat degradation through invasion of habitat by weeds or escaped pasture species.
- Habitat degradation through intensive grazing by stock.
- Lack of knowledge of how habitat managment practices influence site occupancy and species persistence.
- Predation by feral or domestic cats and foxes
- Changed fire regimes that result in changes to vegetation structure and composition.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Retain and protect natural grassland remnants within the known distribution of the species.
- Avoid burning sites known to support this species until research on the impact of fire on the lizards and their prey has been undertaken.
- Survey for the species in suitable habitat in areas that are proposed for development or where changes in management actions are proposed, and mark sites onto maps or plans. If found, advise land manager of appropriate management actions.
- Undertake feral animal control.
- Do not collect bush rock or remove rocks for pasture management purposes.
- Do not destroy habitat and surrounding areas by ploughing.
- If grassland management activities are considered necessary (mowing, grazing, slashing), undertake during the colder months when the lizards are less active.
- Do not allow heavy, prolonged grazing on habitat
- Until impacts of fire on this species and its prey are known, use grazing as a means to control biomass.
- Do not plant trees and shrubs into habitat or adjacent to habitat where shading or the spread of wildings into the grassland may occur.
- Prevent domestic cats and dogs from roaming into areas of habitat.
- Control invasions of weeds and pasture species (but be wary of the impact of herbicide use in habitat): where possible use methods that directly target weeds such as spot spraying and hand removal.
- Ensure remnant populations remain connected or linked to each other; in cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish links by revegetating sites with grassland species to act as stepping stones for dispersal.
- Mark sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning hazard reduction burns.
- Determine recovery strategy
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