Lerista xanthura

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Lerista xanthura
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Lerista
Species:
L. xanthura
Binomial name
Lerista xanthura
Storr, 1976

The yellow-tailed plain slider (Lerista xanthura) is a species of skink located primarily in the desert areas of South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales in Australia. [2] This uncommon lizard can be identified by its bright yellow tail, and is usually found buried under loose soil, tree stumps and leaf litter.

Contents

Description

The Yellow-tailed Plain Slider is a small skink approximately 90mm in length, with a snout to vent length of 40-45mm. Its scales are a pale pink colour with brown edges on the body's upper surface, and a whitish lower surface. Its most distinguishable feature is the long bright yellow tail. [3] [4] It has 4 digits on each limb, with its forelimbs reaching 6mm in length and hindlimbs 12mm. A single pair of preanal scales are present before its vent, and it has a distinct ear opening. [5]

It has many features that differentiate it from other Lerista species, these include the two preocular scales, the nasal areas are in close contact that they appear to be touching, the lower eyelid is fixed and unmovable, it has 18 mid body scale rows and does not have an upper lateral stripe.

Taxonomy

The Yellow-tailed Plain Slider is a member of the Lerista genus of Skinks found only in Australia, of which there are approximately 90 species. A monophyletic group; Orientalis was proposed in 1990 [6] which includes the Desert Plain Slider, Leristaaericeps , McIvor River Slider Lerista ingrami, Wood-mulch Slider Lerista muelleri, North-Eastern Orange-tailed Slider Lerista orientalis, Ribbon Slider Lerista taeniata, Yellow-tailed Plain Slider Lerista xanthura and the White-striped Four-toed Slider Lerista zonulata. [7]

The closely related Desert Plain Slider (Lerista aericeps) was considered to be the same species, but the Yellow-tailed Plain Slider's paler colouration and longer limbs has kept the species separate. The singular preocular scale of the Desert Plain Slider versus the two of the Yellow-tailed Plain Slider is considered to be differentiating features of these species.

Distribution and habitat

The current distribution of the species has been disputed, due to low numbers of sightings since discovery and the overlapping of similar species. The Yellow-tailed Plain Slider has been recorded in the deserts of New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.  In NSW it is believed to have a disjoined distribution, being found in the Lower Murray Darling region, all the way up through the Kinchega, Mutawintji and Sturt National Parks. Records also show it occurs as far East as the Paroo River. [8] In Western Australia it has been recorded throughout the Gibson and Little Sandy Desert. [9]

Due to its apparent wide distribution across the Australian mainland, it can be seen habituating a variety of environments, these include; dry open woodlands, grassed alluvial sand dunes and spinifex dominated sand plains. [10] It is considered a mallee specialist [11]

Ecology

Feeding

The Yellow-tailed Plain Slider is insectivorous, feeding on ants, termites and other small insects found in loose soil, under stones, fallen trees and in termite mounds. It is a nocturnal, burrowing species that emerges at night to feed. [5]

Breeding

Not much is known on the breeding of the Yellow-tailed Plain Slider, however, like all members of the Lerista genus it is oviparous and lays eggs. [12]

Status and conservation

In New South Wales it is classified as vulnerable due to the effects of various factors throughout its habitat, as well as this the lack of knowledge of the species. This along with a lack of accurate data on current numbers make it difficult to accurately assess its conservation status. The biggest factor that threatens the species is habitat loss, this can be from land clearing for grazing purposes, as well as damage from bushfires or controlled burns. Drought also has an impact on the quality of the environment it resides in, causing the death of vegetation used for protection and food, as well as decreasing available water.

Invasive species such as cats and foxes are another threat to this species. Current conservation plans aim to reduce the number of pets in the Sliders habitat, as well as prevention of future land clearing and retaining of low lying shrubs and leaf litter. Preferred vegetation such as Triodia should also be maintained at sustainable numbers where possible. [13]

Increasing temperatures and unpredictable flooding events have also shown to threaten the populations of the Slider near the Darling River. [14]

Related Research Articles

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The broad-banded sand-swimmer or Richardson's skink is a species of skink found in Australia.

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Lerista edwardsae, also known commonly as the Myall slider, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Australian state of South Australia.

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Lerista timida, the dwarf three-toed slider or wood mulch-slider, is a species of skink found in Australia. Other common names for the species include timid slider and dwarf burrowing skink. The skink is a member of the Lerista genus which are confined to continental Australia and are mostly a burrowing species of skink. The genus consists of consists elongated, smooth-scaled, Fossorial lizards that are specialized for life in the upper soils and dry leaf litter through which they slide using Lateral undulation as a form of locomotive action, giving rise to their nickname as sliders. They normally emerge of a night-time to hunt for small Invertebrates such as ants, termites and insects. If disturbed, they dive immediately into any loose substrate to avoid predation, this behavior leaves behind a distinctive disrupted wavy track that often found on sandy flats or dunes, roads and tracks.

References

  1. ↑ Shea, G.; Wilson, S.; Ellis, R.; Oliver, P. (2017). "Lerista xanthura". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T109477758A109477763. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T109477758A109477763.en . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. ↑ Lerista xanthura at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 22 March 2020.
  3. ↑ Storr, G.M. 1976. Revisionary notes on the Lerista (Lacertilia: Scincidae) of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum. Vol. 4. pp.241-256.
  4. ↑ Storr, G.M. 1991. Revision of Lerista aericeps (Lacertilia: Scincidae) of central Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum. Vol. 15. pp. 365-381.
  5. 1 2 Cogger, H. 2014. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. CSIRO Publishing. Collingwood, Australia.
  6. ↑ Greer, A. 1990. The taxonomic status of Lerista aericeps Storr 1986 with a diagnosis of the Lerista orientalis species group. Records of the Western Australian Museum. Vol. 14. pp.443-448.
  7. ↑ Skinner, A. 2008. Phylogeny and evolution of Lerista (Lygosominae, Scincidae, Squamata). Doctoral dissertation. University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Accessed 21 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Shelly, D. 2000. Comparative vertebrate fauna survey of the Paroo, Cobham and Gumbalara landsystems in the Western Division of New South Wales. Australian Zoologist. Vol. 31(3). pp.470-481. doi : 10.7882/AZ.2000.008
  9. ↑ Kendrick, P.G. HERPETOFAUNA OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN LITTLE SANDY DESERT. Biological survey of the south-western Little Sandy Desert. pp.65.
  10. ↑ Sadlier, R.A. 1994. Conservation status of the reptiles and amphibians in the Western Division of New South Wales: an overview.Future of the Fauna of Western New South Wales. pp. 161-167.
  11. ↑ Val, J.Oliver, D. Pennay, M. McLaughlin, J. Ewin, P. and Foster, E.2012. The reptile, bird and small mammal fauna of Dune Mallee Woodlands in south-western New South Wales. Australian Zoologist. Vol. 36(1). pp.29-48. doi : 10.7882/AZ.2012.004
  12. ↑ Watson, C.M. Makowsky, R. and Bagley, J.C. 2014. Reproductive mode evolution in lizards revisited: updated analyses examining geographic, climatic and phylogenetic effects support the cold‐climate hypothesis. Journal of evolutionary biology. Vol. 27(12). pp. 2767-2780.
  13. ↑ NSW Government. 2017. Yellow-tailed Plain Slider Profile. Office of Environment and Heritage. Accessed 21 October 2020. https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10470
  14. ↑ Grimm‐Seyfarth, A. Mihoub, J.B. and Henle, K. 2019. Functional traits determine the different effects of prey, predators, and climatic extremes on desert reptiles. Ecosphere. Vol. 10. pp. 1-17. doi : 10.1002/ecs2.2865
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