56 
Records of the Australian Museum (2013) Vol. 65 
D Canonical Variable 1 
Fig. 4. Discriminant function analyses of male (A) and female 
(B) Ctenophorus mirrityana sp. nov. (a); northern C. decresii (o); 
southern C. decresii (a); C.fionni (+); and C. vadnappa (o); based 
on 24 and 23 morphological characters respectively. Individuals are 
plotted against canonical variables 1 and 2 with 95% confidence 
ellipses. 
enlarged, keeled scales extends from the nostril, below the 
eye to above the tympanum (Houston & Hutchinson, 1998). 
Scales on snout are keeled to lightly wrinkled; eyelid fringed 
with row of acute scales; 14-19 supralabial and infralabial 
scales; 4-6 scales between rostral and nasal; 4-6 scales 
between supralabial and nasal; 9-12 internasal scales; 
21-27 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe. The skin on the 
neck is loose, forming folds of skin above and behind the 
tympanum with small rows of pale coloured spines. A low 
nuchal crest of conical scales is present and terminates in 
line with the shoulders. Vertebral scales are flat and pale in 
colour and can be raised on a fold of skin during behavioural 
displays. Dorsal scales are smooth or very lightly keeled, 
becoming smaller laterally; flanks lack scattered tubercular 
scales. Scales on the dorsal surfaces of the limbs and tail are 
keeled. A strongly formed gular fold is present, extending 
across the shoulders. Ventral scales are around the same size 
as vertebral scales, larger than dorsal and lateral scales, flat 
and homogenous, with the exception of the scales along the 
gular fold which are smaller. Thirty four to forty two evenly 
spaced femoral and preanal pores are arranged in a straight 
line along the thighs, interrupted medially by 7-9 scales. 
Pores are present but smaller in females. 
Adult male base colour varies from grey-blue to very pale 
blue which appears more blue when the lizard is warm (Fig. 
7A). The vertebral line is pale, becoming more grey-blue 
towards the flanks, while the dorsal surfaces of the head, tail 
and hindlimbs are grey-brown. The head is orange around 
the eyes, nostrils and along the upper jaw, and beneath the 
tympanum to the neck; however, the extent and brightness 
of this coloration varies among individuals. A black lateral 
stripe begins posterior to the eye, becoming thicker posterior 
to the tympanum and terminating at the groin. A thinner, non- 
continuous orange stripe, often bordered by pale blotches, 
begins at the tympanum and runs within the black lateral 
stripe to the groin (Fig. 9A). Pale blue coloration mottled 
with cream occurs beneath the lateral stripe and on the 
forelimbs. Ventrally males are white to cream with orange 
flushes on the belly, hindlimbs, and tail during the breeding 
season. A grey to black chest patch tapers to a point midbody 
and extends along the forelimbs in some individuals. Male 
throat coloration consists of cream base colour with parallel 
grey stripes along the length of the throat, often overlain 
with orange flushes around the snout, which may cover the 
whole throat in some individuals (Fig. 3). A distinct black 
stripe runs along the mid line from gular fold to snout but 
varies in length and intensity among individuals. 
Adult females are cryptically coloured with brown, grey, 
and terracotta speckling (Fig. 7B). Dorsally, scales are 
browner with a thin, pale vertebral line. A black lateral stripe 
coupled with a thin terracotta stripe runs laterally along the 
flank, although this may be less prominent than in males. 
Scales are greyer on the flanks below the lateral stripe. 
Ventrally females are white to cream with grey stripes on the 
throat and orange flushes on the belly during the breeding 
season. Juveniles resemble adult females in coloration and 
pattern but are often paler with more delicate speckling. 
Pattern remains clear on spirit preserved specimens; 
however, both males and females appear darker than in life 
and any orange coloration fades considerably. 
Measurements (mm) and meristic counts of holotype. 
SVL, 76.87; AG, 32.99; TL, 142; HL, 25.38; HW, 17.60; HD, 
10.96; EYE, 5.47; SL, 8.31; JL, 13.07; NW, 6.79; HUML, 
11.48; RADL, 9.46; HAND, 13.46; FING, 8.31; FEML, 
18.72; TIBL, 20.89; FOOT, 27.52; TOE, 14.14; SUPRA, 
17; INFRA, 17; ROSNAS, 4; SUPRANAS, 5; INTERNAS, 
10; SDL, 21; FP, 36. 
Ecology and distribution 
Ctenophorus mirrityana sp. nov. is a rock specialist, and 
occupies variable habitats ranging from scattered rock 
aggregates and road spoils, to rocky outcrops and gorges 
(Swan & Foster, 2005; Sass & Swan, 2010). Previous studies 
associated with this species have suggested that the percentage 
cover of exposed rock outcropping, the presence of large 
rocks, and landscape position are the greatest influence of 
habitat occupancy (Sass & Swan, submitted). To date, C. 
mirrityana sp. nov. has been detected in mulga shrubland 
dominated by Mulga {Acacia aneura) and Dead Finish (A. 
tetragonophylla), black oak woodland dominated by Black 
Oak {Casuarina pauper ) and Western Rosewood {Alectryon 
oleifolius ), and hummock grass woodland dominated by Gum 
Coolibah {Eucalyptus intertexta) and Red Mallee {E. socialis ) 
