Pedra Branca skink

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Pedra Branca skink
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Carinascincus
Species:
C. palfreymani
Binomial name
Carinascincus palfreymani
(Rawlinson, 1974)
Synonyms [2]
  • Pseudemoia palfreymani
    Rawlinson, 1974
  • Leiolopisma palfreymani
    — Greer, 1974
  • Niveoscincus palfreymani
    — Hutchinson et al., 1990
  • Carinascincus palfreymani
    — Cogger, 2014

Carinascincus palfreymani, known commonly as the Pedra Branca skink, as well as the Palfreyman's window-eyed skink, [3] the Pedra Branca cool-skink, or the red-throated skink, is a species of skink in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia, and is restricted to the windswept Pedra Branca, an island off southern Tasmania of only 2.5 ha (6.2 acres), where it is dependent on the seabird colonies. [1] [4] It is the only lizard species found on the island. [5]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, palfreymani, is in honor of Mr. A.E. Palfreyman who collected the first specimens of this species. [3]

Description

Adults of C. palfreymani have a head and body length of 6–10 cm (2.4–3.9 in). Adults weigh about 14 grams (0.49 oz), while pregnant females can weigh up to 22 grams (0.78 oz). Adults are a glossy charcoal colour, while juveniles are more lightly coloured. [5]

Biology

The Pedra Branca skink feeds on small invertebrates such as insects, spiders and isopods. It has also been observed to feed on fish scraps dropped or regurgitated by seabirds on the island, and to feed as well on seabird eggs. However, these foods are only available to the skink on a seasonal basis. [4]

There are six separate colonies of the Pedra Branca skink on the island with a total population that fluctuates between 250 and 600 lizards, depending on food availability. The skink is preyed upon by silver gulls. The movement of silver gull colonies into areas where the skinks are living has recently led to the decline of some skink colonies. [4]

Pedra Branca skinks live in crevices in the rocks, which provide protection from wind, salt spray and waves. Adult skinks defend their burrows against intrusion by other skinks. However, they are only active when air temperatures are above 15 °C (59 °F). [4]

The Pedra Branca skink is a long-lived species. They do not mature until they are about 6 to 8 years of age. They can live at least 10 years, possibly up to 15 years. [4]

Like most endemic Tasmanian skinks, the Pedra Branca skink bears live young. [4]

Status

C. palfreymani is considered to be vulnerable [1] due to the restricted range and multiple threats including seabird predation, fluctuations in the food supply, climate change and the threat of invasion by introduced predators such as rats.

Related Research Articles

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<i>Lampropholis</i> Genus of lizards

Lampropholis, the Indo-Australian ground skinks or sunskinks, are a genus of skinks in the lizard subfamily Eugongylinae. The genus Lampropholis was previously found to belong to a clade with the genera Niveoscincus, Leiolopisma and others of the Eugongylus group within Lygosominae. They are found mainly in Indonesia and Australia. For similar skinks see genera Bassiana, Pseudemoia, and Niveoscincus.

<i>Carinascincus</i> Genus of lizards

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Pedra Branca (Tasmania)

Pedra Branca is a rock islet or small island, located in the Southern Ocean, off the southern coast of Tasmania, Australia. The island is situated approximately 26 kilometres (16 mi) south southeast of South East Cape and is contained within the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site. An erosional remnant of the Tasmanian mainland, the island is approximately 270 metres (890 ft) long, 100 metres (330 ft) wide, with an elevation of 60 metres (200 ft) above sea level. The island is estimated to have separated from the Tasmanian mainland at least 15,000 years ago.

Mewstone Island in Tasmania, Australia

Mewstone is an unpopulated island, composed of muscovite granite, located close to the south coast of Tasmania, Australia. The 13.1-hectare (32-acre) island has steep cliffs and a small flat summit and is part of the Pedra Branca group, lying 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) southeast of Maatsuyker Island, and 22 kilometres (14 mi) off the south coast of Tasmania. Mewstone comprises part of the Southwest National Park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site.

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Babel Island Island in Tasmania, Australia

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<i>Ligia australiensis</i> Species of woodlouse

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<i>Carinascincus coventryi</i> Species of lizard

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The alpine cool-skink is a species of skink in the family Scincidae. It is endemic to Australia, found in Tasmania.

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<i>Pseudemoia baudini</i> Species of lizard

Pseudemoia baudini, also known commonly as Baudin's skink, Baudin's window-eyed skink, and the Bight Coast skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

<i>Pseudemoia pagenstecheri</i> Species of lizard

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<i>Pseudemoia rawlinsoni</i> Species of lizard

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Chapple, D.G.; Michael, D.; Robertson, P.; Clemann, N.; Wapstra, E. (2017). "Carinascincus palfreymani". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T14811A101753182. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T14811A101753182.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Species Niveoscincus palfreymani at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
  3. 1 2 Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Niveoscincus palfreymani, p. 199).
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 TPWS: Wildlife of Tasmania - Pedra Branca Skink Archived 21 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine .
  5. 1 2 "Pedra Branca Skink". Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2014.

Further reading

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