Research

Aubry's Whip-tailed Skink Tropidoscincus aubrianus

Conservation status: Lower risk - least concern

Description: A large species of skink growing to a body length of 120mm, with very well developed limbs and a long tail 180% of the body. The scales of the body have three distinct keels. Adult colouration is olive-brown with dark markings above, and an orange ventral colour, but juveniles and subadults have distinctive yellow markings running along the side of the body.

Natural distribution: A sparse and scattered distribution in the northern and central regions of the island, with an outlying population on the Ile des Pins.

Distribution within Province Sud: Known only from Moindou and the Ile des Pins.

Distribution within Province Nord: Scattered distribution on the east coast from Houailou in the south to Pouebo in the north.

Threats:

• potentially high level of threat to populations located in areas with high infestation levels of introduced Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) causing significant decline in abundance
• high level of threat to populations in low elevation riverine vegetation on the west coast from clearing and degradation of riparian habitats associated ranching
• localised moderate to high level of threat to coastal and near coastal vegetative associations through repeated firing leading to a decline in quality of habitat

Conservation status: Tropidoscincus aubrianus occurs at 6 sites representing up to possibly 2 sub-populations on the main island, and another on the Ile des Pins. The species has a relatively broad distribution and two of the sites from which it has been collected in recent times are modified low elevation woodland or scrub. Its apparent scarcity in collections and recent survey indicates it probably occurs in habitat types not typically targeted for field research, like the coastal scrubs and riparian edges where the recent records from Houailou and Moindou were made. It is possible this species prefers 'edge' habitats, i.e. those subject to a cycle of disturbance. Based on the information the species does not satisfy the criteria required to confidently place it at a level of threat and it is here categorised as Lower risk - least concern.

Future research required: none specifically recommended

Copyright © Australian Museum, 2002