Research

Tilliers Maquis Skink Lioscincus tillieri

Conservation status: Lower risk - least concern

Description: A moderately large skink growing to a body length of 64 mm, with well developed limbs and an extremely long tail up to 300% of the body. Colouration differs markedly between males and females, with males having a diffuse and poorly defined pattern whereas females are typically two-toned. Females also have obvious pale midlateral and hip stripes, whereas these marking are poorly developed or absent in adult males. The ventral surface of both sexes is typically yellowish. The scales of the body have two distinct ridges or keels running along each scale. The species occurs in maquis shrubland over a broad elevational range.

Maquis shrubland - low and heath-like vegetation.

Natural distribution: Scattered locations throughout the far south of New Caledonia.

Distribution within Province Sud: Recorded only from the south of the Province between Kwa Neie and Mt Vulcain in the north. It has not been recorded from the northern half of the southern ultramafic block, which most likely reflects a general lack collecting in this area.

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

Threats:

• potentially high level of threat with high infestation levels of introduced Crazy Ants causing significant decline in abundance
• moderate to high level of threat to maquis shrubland through repeated firing resulting in a decline in quality of habitat
• moderate to high level of threat to maquis habitat through activities associated with mining, resulting in loss of extent and decline in quality of habitat

Maquis shrubland - low and heath-like vegetation.

Conservation status: Lioscincus tillieri occurs at seven sites, each possibly representing a separate sub-population. The distribution of the species as it is known satisfies the criteria for a small distribution (area of occupancy <1,000 km2), but it is likely to be recorded from additional locations with further survey work. Its occurrence across a broad range of maquis habitat suggests the possibility of connectivity between some sub-populations, and therefore the potential for re-colonisation. Several threats leading to a continuing decline in maquis shrubland habitat have been identified, but large areas of potentially suitable habitat subject to only minimal or no disturbance occur within the species range. For these reasons L. tillieri is not considered to be under any immediate threat and is most appropriately categorised as lower risk - least concern.

Future research required:

• targeted survey work to comprehensively document the species overall distribution, particularly in maquis habitat between Mt Vulcain and Mt Do
• research the ecology and distribution of the species to determine if it relies on any particular serial stage of maquis shrubland

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002