Individual markings are a reliable non-invasive means of identification over time in blotched blue-tongued lizards, Tiliqua Nigrolutea

Pattern is often used by zoologists who wish to uniquely identify an individual animal within a population. For pattern to prove a reliable method of identification, it must be both unique and constant through time, as has been demonstrated in species such as badgers (Dixon, 2003), polar bears (Ander- son & Waterman, 2007) and grey nurse sharks (Bansemer & Bennett, 2008). However, few studies have assessed the con- stancy of pattern elements in reptiles, which are often identified instead by implanting PIT tags (Jemison et al., 1995; Hilterman et al., 2007) or by toe-clipping (Sacchi et al., 2007). For some studies, pattern may be a less intru- sive and more potentially reliable method of distinguishing individuals. There is currently no information available on pattern stability in the blotched blue-tongued lizard (Tiliqua nigrolutea). Markings displayed by blotched blue-tongue lizards are a combi- nation of pale blotches and bands on a black background, and differences in these patterns between individuals are immediately distin- guishable. However, it is not enough simply to state that these patterns appear unchanged over time, they must be quantified and scored in some way to confirm that this is so. This project has investigated whether pattern remains sufficiently constant over time to be used as a reliable method of individual iden- tification in T. nigrolutea.