Research

Greer's Tree Skink Lioscincus greeri

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Description: A moderately large skink growing to a body length of 61mm, with well developed limbs, a long tail of around 120% of the body, a relatively flat, depressed head, and smooth body scales. Colouration is cream with a brown buff and pattern of narrow black transverse bars.

Natural distribution: Known only from the region of Koumac in north-western New Caledonia. The only known wild collected specimen was taken from the trunk of just fallen tree.

Distribution within Province Nord: see above.

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
• potentially high level of threat to populations in isolated low elevation closed forest on the north-west coast from clearing for ranching or agriculture, leading to loss and further fragmentation of habitat
• potentially high level of threat to populations in isolated low elevation closed forest on the north west 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, Lioscincus greeri is known from only a single record (area of occupancy <500 km2), the exact location of which is unclear other than it is near Koumac. The species has not been relocated since its discovery despite opportunistic field work in the region on several different occasions over the past 10 years, or during recent systematic survey work along the north-west coast and ultramafic ranges. Its' apparent rarity would indicate the species has a small distribution or specialised biology, which in combination with several high levels of threat indicate the species is most likely at risk, and should classified as Vulnerable. It could be placed at a higher level of threat if continued declines in area, extent and/or quality of habitat within the species very narrow range are apparent.

Ultramafic - soils that are dominated by minerals high in magnesium and iron, and which tend to be dark-coloured rather than pale.

Future research required:

• undertake targeted survey work to comprehensively establish and document the species overall distribution
• survey work to assess the extent of decline in area and/or quality of the species preferred habitat once this is known
• survey work to assess the spread of the Fire Ant on populations in this habitat

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002