Research

Pale-hipped Skink Lygosoma euryotis (northern population)

Pale-hipped Skink Lygosoma euryotis, female (northern population).

Pale-hipped Skink Lygosoma euryotis, male (northern population).

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Description: A small, surface active species of skink growing to a body length of 42mm, with moderately well developed limbs, and a tail around160% the length of the body. Colouration differs markedly between males and females but consists of shades of brown above and at the sides, with females darker overall, two-toned, and having a pale stripe running along the body just above the hindlimbs. The tail can have a bold russet flush above and the abdomen and underside of the hindlimbs a yellow flush. The scales of the body have three distinct ridges or keels running along each scale.

Natural distribution: north-east and north-west coast of New Caledonia.

Distribution within Province Nord: known from Ouaieme and Tao on the north-east coast, and Mt Taom and Tsiba near Kaala-Gomen on the north-west coast.

Threats:

• extremely high level of threat to isolated low elevation gully forest on the north west through repeated firing of adjacent maquis habitat, leading to a decline in area, extent and quality of habitat
• potentially high level of threat to isolated high elevation closed forest populations on ultramafic soils through activities associated with mining (particularly gully forests affected by mining spoil), leading to a decline in area, extent and quality habitat
• potentially high level of threat to populations in low elevation gully forest from high infestation levels of introduced Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata), causing significant decline in abundance
• low to 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
• low level of threat to low elevation populations on the north-east coast from subsistence agriculture, leading to a decline in area of occupancy and fragmentation of once continuous closed forest habitat

Maquis shrubland - low and heath-like vegetation
Ultramafic - soils and rocks that are dominated by minerals high in magnesium and iron, and which tend to be dark-coloured rather than pale.

Conservation status: The species distribution is small, it is known from only four locations (area of occupancy <500 km2) representing four isolated sub-populations. It could to be recorded from additional locations within the region, but its distribution is still likely to remain as scattered isolates with a low overall area of occurrence. Its' small distribution in combination with several high levels of threat indicate the species is at risk, particularly on the north-west coast where gully forest and high elevation forest on the ultramafic ranges and peaks is present as small, remnant patches. The species is here conservatively classified as Vulnerable, but could be placed at a higher level of threat if continued declines in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat in the species very narrow range continue.

Current research indicates substantial differentiation between the population in the north and that on the Ile of Pines.

Future research required:

• undertake targeted survey work to more comprehensively document the species overall distribution
• assess the extent of decline in area and/or quality of gully forest and high elevation forest habitat on the ultramafic ranges and peaks with regard to the impact of fire on the forest edge
• assess the spread of the Fire Ant on populations in low elevation gully forest
• assess the extent of decline in area and/or quality of gully forest and high elevation forest habitat on the ultramafic ranges and peaks with regard to activities associated with mining
• identify distinct geographic units in the north of the island

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002