Assessing the suitability of habitat for the Endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard

Species that have undergone range declines due to human activities present an unstable species-environment relationship and require integrative approaches for their conservation. The pygmy bluetongue lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis occupies vacant spider burrows and is found on private grazing properties. Without active conservation management, the species faces climate-induced extinction. Translocation to more southerly environments is considered a mitigation strategy. We used predictive distribution modelling (MaxEnt) combined with field surveys to identify potential translocation sites. Two species were potentially reliable indicators of suitable habitat: brush wire grass Aristida behriana and trapdoor spider Blakistonia aurea. Habitat suitability maps produced using these species found that, despite the importance of B. aurea burrows for lizard occupancy, A. behriana was a more suitable indicator species. Our field surveys compared habitat quality at lizard-occupied sites to potential translocation sites but did not reveal factors associated with higher lizard occupancy at current sites. Spider burrow availability was lower at potential translocation sites but a higher proportion were high-quality trapdoor spider burrows. Only one potential translocation site was found to be suitable; attributed to having trapdoor spider burrows, grasshoppers, and sheep grazing management. This site was a private property listed for sale during the surveys. Given that translocations of pygmy bluetongues are inevitable and this is the first suitable translocation site identified, we highlight the necessity of long-term measures to safeguard potential translocation sites on private property before any planned translocation occurs. Integrating conservation strategies with agricultural practices offers a chance to safeguard private properties so wildlife and agriculture may co-exist.