Research

Mandjelia Litter Skink Caledoniscincus terma

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Description: A small, surface active species of skink growing to a body length of 50mm, with a tail 130-140% 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 but consists of shades of brown. Males are darker and have a series of pale blotches down the centre of the back forming a rough edged vertebral stripe and scattered pale, dark-edged spots across the body. Females are lighter in colour and the pale blotches down the centre of the back are more variable. The ventral surface of both sexes is yellow in colour.

Natural distribution: Northern end of the Panie Range in the far north-east of the island.

Distribution within Province Nord: Known only from Mt Mandjelia.

Threats:

• potentially high level of threat to closed forest populations with high infestation levels of introduced Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) causing significant decline in abundance
• low level of threat to mid elevation forest for timber plantations leading to a decline in area, extent and quality habitat
• low level of threat to closed forest edge through repeated firing of adjacent savannah habitat leading to a decline in area, extent and quality of forest habitat

Conservation status: Caledoniscincus terma has a very small distribution on northern ranges with a likely area of occupancy of <100 km2, and is considered to represent a single population. On this criteria the species can be categorised as Vulnerable. Several threats have been identified, but for most its distribution C. terma occurs within a relatively undisturbed area of closed forest habitat.

Future research required:

• undertake targeted survey work to more comprehensively document the species overall distribution and determine its real area of occupancy
• determine the presence and level of infestation of introduced Fire Ants and monitor population trends for the species

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002