Research

Pindai Dwarf Skink Nannoscincus hanchisteus

Conservation status: Endangered

Description: A very small, elongate species of skink growing to a body length of 36mm with short limbs and digits, a short tail approximately equal in length to the body, and smooth body scales. Colouration is two-toned being lighter on top and darker at the sides.

Natural distribution: Known only from Pindai Peninsula on the north-west coast.

Distribution within Province Nord: see above.

Threats:

• potentially high level of threat to sclerophyll forest populations with high infestation levels of introduced Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) causing significant decline in abundance
• high level of threat to populations in sclerophyll forest on the west coast from clearing for ranching or agriculture, leading to loss and further fragmentation of habitat, decline in area of occupancy and fragmentation of once continuous habitat through loss of sclerophyll forest to ranching on coastal lowlands of the west coast
• high level of threat to closed forest edge through repeated firing of adjacent savannah woodland, leading to a decline in area, extent and quality of habitat

Conservation status: Nannoscincus hanchisteus is a closed forest-dependant species with highly specific microhabitat requirements and an extremely restricted distribution (<100km2). Species restricted to isolated remnant forest are highly susceptible to catastrophic impact from external forces such as the introduction of exotic pests and wildfires, and require pro-active conservation management that anticipates potential threats. It has most likely suffered a decline in area of occupancy through loss of sclerophyll forest habitat to agriculture on the west coast lowlands, and a decline in quality of sclerophyll forest habitat through the activities of feral animals and introduced pests. The remaining sclerophyll forest on the west coast is fragmented and in some cases highly degraded, which in combination with several high levels of threat indicate the long-term survival species is at considerable risk. For these reasons N. hanchisteus is categorised as Endangered, 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.

Future research required:

• undertake targeted survey work to more comprehensively document the species distribution in other sclerophyll patches in the region
• assess the extent of decline in area and/or quality of forest habitat in which it occurs, particularly with regard to the impact of fire on the forest edge
• assess and monitor the spread of the Fire Ant through sclerophyll forest at the site

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002