Research

Maruia Maquis Skink Lioscincus maruia

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Description: A moderately large skink growing to a body length of 61mm, with well developed limbs, and an extremely long tail up to 250% of the body. The body is brown with a complex pattern of light and dark blotches above and at the sides, and yellowish below. The scales of the body have three weak ridges or keels running along each scale.

Natural distribution: Scattered distribution in the central and northwestern ranges. The species is restricted to maquis shrubland.

Maquis shrubland - low and heath-like vegetation

Distribution within Province Nord: Known from Me Adeo near Bourail, Plateau de Tia near Pouembout, and Mt Kopeto.

Threats:

• moderate to high level of threat to maquis shrubland through repeated firing, leading to a widespread decline in quality of habitat
• moderate to high level of threat to populations inhabiting maquis shrubland through activities associated with mining, particularly isolated high elevation forest and gully forests affected by mining spoil

Conservation status: Lioscincus maruia is recorded from three locations in the north-west of the island, representing at least two isolated sub-populations.

The species overall distribution is small (area of occupancy <500km2), but it is likely to be recorded from additional locations with further survey work. Threats leading to a continuing decline in maquis shrubland have been identified above. Of particular concern is the affect of fire on maquis shrubland, leading to simplification (loss of diversity) of the habitat. Infestations of Crazy Ants in maquis shrubland in Province Sud has only been recently been identified as a potential threat to lizard diversity.

The species overall small distribution in combination with a suite of threats which impact on the area, extent and/or quality of habitat occupied by the species, indicate it is most appropriately categorised as Vulnerable.

Future research required:

• undertake targeted survey work to more comprehensively document the species overall distribution
• field research to determine whether species presence and abundance is affected by fire history

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002