Nebraska Academy of Sciences
Date of this Version
4-14-2022
Citation
2022 Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 42, 10–14
Abstract
The Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) reproduces across parts of northern and central Kansas, but its distribution extends into southern Nebraska. In Nebraska, not a single aspect of reproductive activity has been reported for this species in the state. Herein, we report on the first documentation of reproduction in Nebraska. On 22 September 2021, we captured two hatchling Slender Glass Lizards at the Ash Grove Wildlife Management Area in Franklin County, Nebraska. We calculated that those individuals likely hatched around the first week of September. Presence and reproduction of Slender Glass Lizards at the study site likely was associated with ungrazed grasslands. Although Slender Glass Lizards were listed as extinct in the state prior to 2009 due to a lack of sightings for decades, a few recent observations have been reported in southern counties bordering Kansas. In Nebraska, additional surveys and studies are required to better understand the distribution and requirements for this species of conservation need in the state.
Fig. 1
glass lizard paper 12 January 2022 FIG 2 JPG.JPG (10810 kB)
Fig. 2
glass lizard paper 12 January 2022 FIG 3 JPG.JPG (12655 kB)
Fig. 3
Comments
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