Ctenotus leonhardii

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Ctenotus leonhardii
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Ctenotus
Species:
C. leonhardii
Binomial name
Ctenotus leonhardii
(Sternfeld, 1919)
Ctenotus leonhardii distribution.png

Ctenotus leonhardii, known by the common names Leonhardi's ctenotus, Leonhardi's skink or common desert ctenotus, is a species of skink found in a range of arid and semi-arid regions throughout mainland Australia. [2] The species was named after German anthropologist Moritz von Leonhardi in 1919 and belongs to the genus Ctenotus , one of the largest genera of lizards in Australia. [3]

Contents

Description

Ctenotus leonhardii Ctenotus leonhardii.png
Ctenotus leonhardii

Leonhardi's ctenotus is a small, slender terrestrial skink. [4] This species is typically brown to ochre-brown above, sometimes with a dark brown stripe down the vertebra. [5] There are pale stripes running from the eyes down to the tail on either side, often with a dark brown edge above. [5] Below this stripe is a darker, sometimes black lateral stripe with a complex pattern of white spots over the top. [6] From the groin there is a pale cream stripe running towards the flanks, with a series of white spots near the arms and a continuing pale lateral stripe down the length of the tail. [5] Like all other Ctenotus species, Leonhardi's ctenotus has four limbs with five digits each and smooth scales, with a distinctive row of small scales near the ear. [7]

Leonhardi's ctenotus adults can grow to a maximum of 7.9 cm long, [8] weighing on average 9.14g. [4] Males and females grow to a similar size, unlike many other Ctenotus species which demonstrate sexual dimorphism. [8] Leonhardi's ctenotus is one of the slower growing Ctenotus species, reaching maturity at 18 months. [9] Juveniles grow at a rate of 0.22mm per day from hatching and commonly live for 5 years, though the oldest recorded specimen was 7 years old. [9]

Taxonomy

Leonhardi's ctenotus was named by German anthropologist Moritz von Leonhardi in 1919.[ citation needed ] The species is in the Scincidae family (skinks), belonging to the genus Ctenotus . [4] In the past this genus was included within the Sphenomorphus , before being raised to generic status in 1964. [3] Ctenotus species are commonly called 'comb-eared skinks' due to the shape of the small scales near the ear. [7] Ctenotus is one of the largest genera of lizards in Australia, [3] containing nearly 100 species. [5] It is one of the most abundant genera of lizards in arid and semi-arid Australia, [8] and one of the most diverse genera of terrestrial vertebrates globally. [6] Ctenotus is further divided into a number of 'species groups' that are based on morphological similarity and which includes the Ctenotus leonhardii group, to which Leonhardi's ctenotus belongs. [10]

Distribution

Leonhardi's ctenotus is found in the arid and semi-arid regions of central Western Australia, the lower half of the Northern Territory, northern South Australia, south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales. [5] It is a common species in these regions, often seen basking in the sun in the morning in open areas. [4]

Habitat and ecology

Leonhardi's ctenotus has been found in a range of arid habitat types including open grasslands, sandplain deserts dominated by spinifex, and semi-arid shrublands. [3] [5] It is particularly abundant in acacia and chenopod dominated shrublands [3] and prefers habitats with grassy groundcover. [4] Spinifex tussocks provide protection from predators, harsh environmental conditions and an abundant supply of insects. [11] Within chenopod-dominated ecosystems, this species has been found to be significantly associated with high densities of Maireana species. [8] It is a burrowing skink and shelters in burrows with at least two entrances. [4]

Like many other lizards, Leonhardii's ctenotus are able to survive in harsh desert environments due to the use of ectothermy which allows metabolic inactivity to occur in harsh conditions (i.e. aestivation). [11] However, unlike some other lizard species Leonhardi's ctenotus is diurnal and active during the hottest hours of the day [11] As a result, they have the highest active body temperature recorded for any skink species. [11]

The home range of Leonhardi's ctenotus ranges from 20-60m, similar to the home range size for other Ctenotus species. [8] Leonhardi's ctenotus is carnivorous, with a generalist insectivore diet. [8] They are active foragers, foraging within the open spaces between grasses and other groundcover plants for prey. [3] The majority of foraging occurs around midday, with the bulk of the diet being made up of cockroaches, spiders, grasshoppers, silverfish, beetles, weevils, and the larvae of moths and butterflies. [12] Unlike most other Ctenotus species, Leonhardi's ctenotus rarely eats termites but will when other prey are scarce. [13] [12] Major native predators of Leonhardi's ctenotus include Gould's goanna (Varanus gouldii) and rusty desert monitor (Varanus eremius). [3] High densities of introduced predators like foxes have also been associated with lower recapture success in mark-recapture surveys of Leonhardi's ctenotus, suggesting predation by this species. [14]

Densities of Leonhardi's ctenotus have been found to be negatively associated with increased rainfall, with peak densities occurring during prolonged dry periods. [14] However, individual body condition has been found to deteriorate in dry years compared to years with higher rainfall. [13] Leonhardi's ctenotus is often sympatric with numerous other Ctenotus species in the arid zones, with up to 14 species from this genus sometimes co-occurring in one area. [6] [3]

Reproduction

Leonhardi's ctenotus reproduce by sexual reproduction. [15] Spermatogenesis, ovulation and mating occur most typically in Spring, [16] though breeding can occur anywhere between October and February. [15] They are oviparous, laying 5 eggs on average. [15] However, litter size is highly variable and dependent upon environmental conditions, with no successful reproduction occurring in some years. [8] Furthermore, litter size is variable across different regions, with Leonhardi's ctenotus in South Australia commonly raising only 2 young, [8] while the same species in the Great Victoria Desert regularly lays up to 7 eggs. [3] Juvenile survival is often low, with only 10-30% of juveniles surviving to adulthood. [9]

Conservation status

Leonhardi's ctenotus is listed as a species of Least Concern under the IUCN [2] and is a common and widespread species within its preferred habitat. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skink</span> Family of reptiles

Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, the family Scincidae is one of the most diverse families of lizards. Skinks are characterized by their smaller legs in comparison to typical lizards and are found in different habitats except arctic and subarctic regions.

<i>Ctenotus</i> Genus of lizards

Ctenotus is a genus of skinks. It is endemic to Australia. The genus belongs to a clade in the Sphenomorphus group which contains such genera as Anomalopus and the close relatives Eulamprus and Gnypetoscincus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spiny-tailed monitor</span> Species of lizard

The spiny-tailed monitor, also known as the Australian spiny-tailed monitor, the ridge-tailed monitor the Ackie dwarf monitor, and colloquially simply ackie monitor, is an Australian species of lizard belonging to the genus of monitor lizards (Varanus).

The western limestone ctenotus is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

<i>Morethia boulengeri</i> Species of lizard

Morethia boulengeri is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

The rusty desert monitor is a species of small monitor lizards native to Australia. It is also known as the pygmy desert monitor. The monitor lizard belongs to the subgenus Odatria along with the pygmy mulga monitor. This monitor lizard is oviparous as with other monitor lizards.

<i>Ctenotus robustus</i> Species of lizard

The eastern striped skink is a species of skink found in a wide variety of habitats around Australia. They are long-tailed, fast moving skinks that are quite large, growing to a maximum length of about 30 cm. This skink is mostly brown with a white-edged black stripe running down the length of its back and tail with broad brown stripes along the side of the body with rows of white spots. The sides become lighter, turning into an off-white colour towards the underside of the skink, running from the groin to the chin. The striped skink is similar in appearance to the spotted-back skink with the main identifying difference being the solid stripe running down the back of C. robustus whereas C. uber orientalis has a row of dots.

<i>Ctenotus strauchii</i> Species of lizard

Ctenotus strauchii, also known commonly as the eastern barred wedge-snout ctenotus or Strauch's ctenotus, is a small species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia and is found throughout semi-arid and arid regions in most of Australia's mainland states except Western Australia, although one record does exist for Western Australia in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stokes's skink</span> Species of lizard

Egernia stokesii is a gregarious species of lizard of the Scincidae family. This diurnal species is endemic to Australia, and is also known as the Gidgee skink, spiny-tailed skink, Stokes's skink and Stokes's egernia. The species forms stable, long-term social aggregations, much like the social groups seen in mammalian and avian species. This characteristic is rarely found in the Squamata order, but is widespread within the Australian subfamily of Egerniinae skinks. Populations of E. stokesii are widely distributed, but fragmented, and occur in semi-arid environments. There are three recognised subspecies. The conservation status for the species is listed as least concern, however, one subspecies is listed as endangered.

Ctenotus zebrilla, also known commonly as the Southern Cape York fine-snout ctenotus, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

<i>Ctenotus pantherinus</i> Species of lizard

Ctenotus pantherinus, commonly known as the Leopard Ctenotus, is a species of skink endemic to central and western Australia. It's conservation status is currently classified as Least Concern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert egernia</span> Species of lizard

The desert egernia, unadorned desert-skink or desert skink is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The desert egernia is endemic to the continent of Australia, and is widespread, with populations recorded in all mainland states and territories except the Australian Capital Territory. The desert egernia is found in dry, desert areas with deep, uncompacted sandy/loamy soils and little significant vegetation cover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bull skink</span> Species of lizard

The bull skink, southern sand-skink or southernheath skink is a species of terrestrial skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. It is one of eleven species within the Liopholis genus.

The Southern Mallee ctenotus is a medium sized lizard in the family scincidae (skink) found in the central and southern interior regions of South Australia and Western Australia; the Mallee regions of NSW and Victoria, in Australia.

<i>Ctenotus brooksi</i> Species of lizard

Ctenotus brooksi, also known commonly as Brooks' wedge-snouted ctenotus, the wedgesnout ctenotus, and the sandhill ctenotus, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia and found in semi-arid regions.

Ctenotus greeri, also known commonly as Greer's ctenotus and the spotted-necked ctenotus, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

<i>Ctenotus inornatus</i> Species of lizard

The bar-shouldered ctenotus is a species of skink found in the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia.

<i>Ctenotus regius</i> Species of lizard

The pale-rumped ctenotus or regal striped skink is a medium-sized species of skink with an arid distribution restricted to the Australian Mainland, which belongs to the largest group of reptiles in Australia, Ctentotus.

<i>Ctenotus schomburgkii</i> Species of lizard

The barred wedge-snout ctenotus is a species of skink found in Australia.[2]

References

  1. ↑ How, R.; Gaikhorst, G.; Ford, S.; Cowan, M. (2017). "Ctenotus leonhardii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T178448A101747235. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T178448A101747235.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Ctenotus leonhardii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 22 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pianka, Eric R. (1969). "Sympatry of Desert Lizards (Ctenotus) in Western Australia". Ecology. 50 (6): 1012–1030. doi:10.2307/1936893. JSTOR   1936893.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Species: Ctenotus leonhardii (Leonhardi's Ctenotus)". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cogger, Harold (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia (Seventh ed.). CSIRO Publishing. ISBN   978-0-643-10978-0.
  6. 1 2 3 Rabosky, Daniel L.; Talaba, Amanda L.; Donnellan, Stephen C.; Lovette, Irby J. (2009-11-01). "Molecular evidence for hybridization between two Australian desert skinks, Ctenotus leonhardii and Ctenotus quattuordecimlineatus (Scincidae: Squamata)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 53 (2): 368–377. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2009.06.020. ISSN   1055-7903. PMID   19580879.
  7. 1 2 "Ctenotus - Australian Lizards". The Australian Museum. 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Read, J. L. (1998). "The ecology of sympatric scincid lizards (Ctenotus) in arid South Australia". Australian Journal of Zoology. 46 (6): 617. doi:10.1071/ZO97063. ISSN   0004-959X.
  9. 1 2 3 James, Craig D. (1991). "Growth Rates and Ages at Maturity of Sympatric Scincid Lizards (Ctenotus) in Central Australia". Journal of Herpetology. 25 (3): 284–295. doi:10.2307/1564586. JSTOR   1564586.
  10. ↑ King, Max; Horner, Paul; Fyfe, Greg (1988). "A new species of Ctenotus (Reptilia: Scincidae) from central Australia, and a key to the Ctenotus leonhardii species group". The Beagle: Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory. 5 (1): 147–153. doi: 10.5962/p.271276 . ISSN   0811-3653. S2CID   133456928.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Pianka, Eric R. (1981), "Diversity and adaptive radiations of Australian desert lizards", Ecological Biogeography of Australia, Monographiae Biologicae, Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, vol. 41, pp. 1375–1392, doi:10.1007/978-94-009-8629-9_50, ISBN   978-94-009-8631-2 , retrieved 2022-06-17
  12. 1 2 James, Craig D. (1991). "Temporal variation in diets and trophic partitioning by coexisting lizards (Ctenotus: Scincidae) in central Australia". Oecologia. 85 (4): 553–561. doi:10.1007/bf00323768. ISSN   0029-8549. PMID   28312503. S2CID   5687047.
  13. 1 2 Schlesinger, Christine A.; Christian, Keith A.; James, Craig D.; Morton, Stephen R. (2010). "Seven lizard species and a blind snake: activity, body condition and growth of desert herpetofauna in relation to rainfall". Australian Journal of Zoology. 58 (5): 273. doi:10.1071/ZO10058. ISSN   0004-959X.
  14. 1 2 Read, John L.; Kovac, Kelli-Jo; Brook, Barry W.; Fordham, Damien A. (2012). "Booming during a bust: Asynchronous population responses of arid zone lizards to climatic variables". Acta Oecologica. 40: 51–61. doi:10.1016/j.actao.2011.09.006.
  15. 1 2 3 Mesquita, Daniel O.; Colli, Guarino R.; Costa, Gabriel C.; Costa, Taís B.; Shepard, Donald B.; Vitt, Laurie J.; Pianka, Eric R. (2015). "Life history data of lizards of the world: Ecological Archives E096-058". Ecology. 96 (2): 594. doi:10.1890/14-1453.1. ISSN   0012-9658.
  16. ↑ Goldberg, Stephen R. (2008). Notes on the reproduction of four species of Ctenotus: C. Leonhardii, C. Pantherinus, C. Quattuordecimlineaturs and C. Schomburgkii (Scincidae). Herpetofauna, 38 (1): 8-13.
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