Research

Reneviers Litter Skink Caledoniscincus renevieri

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Description: A small, surface active species of skink growing to a body length of 51mm, with a tail 140-150% the length of the body, well developed limbs, and the scales of the body with three distinct ridges or keels. Colouration differs markedly between males and females. Males are darker and have numerous pale-edged dark spots across the body and dark brown to black facial colour, whereas females and young of both sexes are typically two-toned being light brown above with a few scattered dark spots and dark at the sides. The ventral surface of males is yellow in colour and that of females yellowish or pinkish.

Natural distribution: Known from several locations in the central ranges.

Distribution within Province Nord: Recorded from low elevation closed forest at Adio, and mid elevation closed forest at Mt Aoupinie, and Col d'Rousettes.

Threats:

• moderate to high level of threat to low elevation populations on the west coast (Adio Caves) from subsistence agriculture, leading to a decline in area of occupancy and fragmentation of once continuous closed forest habitat
• potentially moderate to high level of threat to closed forest populations with high infestation levels of introduced Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata), causing significant decline in abundance
• moderate level of threat from logging of native forest and clearing of forest for timber plantations (Mt Aoupinie), leading to a decline in area, extent and quality of mid elevation forest habitat
• moderate level of threat to closed forest edge habitat, particularly remnant gully forest, through repeated firing of adjacent savannah habitat, leading to a decline in area, extent and quality of habitat

Conservation status: The species distribution is small, it is known from only three locations (area of occupancy <500 km2) representing at least two sub-populations in the central ranges of the island. It is likely to be recorded from additional locations within the region from which it is known, but its overall area of occurrence is still likely to remain low.

Future research required:

• undertaking targeted survey work to more comprehensively document the species overall distribution
• research to identify distinct geographic units
• survey work to assess the spread of the Fire Ant on populations in low to mid elevation closed forests

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002