title: Sex identification in the eastern blue-tongued lizard (Tiliqua scincoides White, ex Shaw, 1790) using morphometrics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish a repeatable, well-tolerated, non-invasive technique for sex identification in eastern blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua scincoides).
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements were obtained from 69 free living eastern blue-tongued lizards presented for treatment that were either deceased on arrival or subsequently euthanased on welfare grounds. Weight, head width (H), snout vent length (SVL) and trunk length (T) were recorded. Ratios for head width to snout vent length (H/SVL%) and head width to trunk length (H/T%) were calculated. Sex was identified at necropsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence of sexual dimorphism in this population was shown. However, the degree of difference was subtle, requiring the use of ratios in order to refine the technique. Ratios of H/SVL% and H/T% showed significant predictability with respect to sex identification in both adult and sub-adult lizards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study established a protocol for a repeatable, non-invasive technique for sex identification in the eastern blue-tongued lizard (Tiliqua scincoides) and provides a normal reference range.
authors.affiliation: Wyoming Greencross Vets, 24 Cary Street, Wyoming, New South Wales 2250, Australia. veterinary.research@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: South Penrith Veterinary Clinic, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Roffey
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: South Penrith Veterinary Clinic, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Rsp
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology
keywords: Tiliqua scincoides; blue-tongued lizard; morphometrics; reptiles; sex identification; sexual dimorphism