Research

Red-tailed Shining Skink Sigaloseps ruficauda

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Description: A moderately small species of skink growing to a body length of 60mm with relatively short limbs, a short tail approximately 150% the length of the body, and smooth body scales. Colouration is mid dark brown overall with fine dark markings forming regular rows down the body, a dark-edged russet stripe from above the eye to the shoulder, a yellow flush to the ventral surface and pink on the throat, and bright reddish or russet flush to the tail.

Natural distribution: Known only from high elevation at Mt Mou and Mt Ouin in the southern ranges.

Distribution within Province Sud: The species is known from high elevation maquis shrubland bordering closed forest between 1120 and 1150 m on Mt Mou, and from low mountain forest at 1100m on Mt Ouin.

Maquis shrubland - low and heath-like vegetation.

Threats:

• potentially high level of threat to isolated closed forest on Mt Ouin through activities associated with mining (particularly gully forests affected by mining spoil), leading to a decline in area, extent and quality habitat
• moderate (Mt Ouin) to high (Mt Mou) level of threat to high elevation maquis and closed forest edge through repeated firing of adjacent maquis shrubland habitat, leading to a decline in area, extent and quality of habitat

Conservation status: The species distribution is small, it is known from only two locations (area of occupancy <500 km2) representing two sub-populations. It is likely to occur only as scattered isolates with a low overall area of occurrence. Because of its restricted distribution Sigaloseps ruficauda is here conservatively classified as Vulnerable. The sub-population on Mt Ouin could be placed at a higher level of threat if mining activity commences in the region that causes a decline in the area, extent and/or quality of the small, isolated area of mountain closed forest at this site. Species restricted to isolated remnant forest at high elevation 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.

Future research required:

• undertake targeted survey work to determine whether the species occurs in other areas of high elevation closed forest on ultramafic peaks
• assess the extent of decline in area and/or quality of potential high elevation forest habitat on the ultramafic peaks with regard to the impact of fire on the forest edge
• assess the extent of decline in area and/or quality of potential high elevation forest habitat on the ultramafic peaks with regard to activities associated with mining

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

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002