Natural History of Curtis Island, Bass Strait - 4. The Reptiles of Curtis and Rodondo Islands

Abstract

Four species of reptiles and details of their ecology are recorded from Curtis Island and three species from Rodondo lsland. Curtis and Rodondo Islands are situated in the deepest part of Bass Strait and were the first islands isolated after the most recent ice age. The paleogeography of the islands is outlined and the origins of the reptile faunas and terrestrial ecosystems are discussed. It is concluded that all four Curtis Island reptile species and two of the three Rodondo Island species are glacial relicts but that the third Rodondo Island species is a post glacial intrusive.