Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Cyclodomorphus melanops elongatus
Gazetted date:
12 Sep 2003
Profile last updated:
01 Jun 2020
Description
In 1995, a review of the Günther’s Skink (Cyclodomorphus branchialis) complex split this group into a number of species. One species (Spinifex Slender Blue-tongue - Cyclodomorphus melanops) had three subspecies identified, one of which (elongatus) is considered to occur in NSW. This is widely referred to as the Slender Mallee Blue-tongue Lizard. It is a medium-sized skink, with the snout-vent length about 13 centimetres and the tail almost as long again as the body The body is generally brown to olive with the ventral surface generally paler, while the tail has a yellow or orange tinge and the head is slightly darker than the body. Iris is orange with a black pupil, the mouth lining pink and the tongue blue-black.
Distribution
The species is widely distributed in inland areas of all mainland states (except Victoria) and the Northern Territory, with the subspecies elongatus occurring from southern Western Australia to central Queensland. In NSW it is restricted to the far south west with records scattered from mallee areas either side of the Darling River (including the Scotia mallee and Mungo and Mallee Cliffs National Parks). Recent surveys have detected this species in spinifex occurring on rocky hillsides to the north west of Broken Hill, a range extension over 100 kilometres in NSW.
Habitat and ecology
- In NSW, animals inhabit mallee/spinifex communities on a sandy or mixed sand/gravel substrate (plains, ridges or hillslopes). It is assumed that the species seeks refuge in vegetation clumps such as spinifex and in fallen timber and leaf litter.
- Solitary and nocturnal, these animals can be active or opportunistic hunters, waiting in the cover of vegetation from which they ambush their prey.
- Diet probably consists of spiders, termites, grasshoppers, cockroaches, small snails, moths, beetles, small lizards, flowers and fleshy leaves and fruit.
- Bears live young.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Habitat clearance, in particular, clearing of mallee areas containing spinifex.
- Inappropriate fire frequency, which directly affects the amount of cover provided by vegetation. Alteration of fire frequency may reduce the availability of suitable habitat and food species.
- Predation by foxes is possible given the feeding habits and activity times of this species.
- Heavy grazing and trampling of habitat and food resources by domestic stock, feral goats, rabbits and pigs.
- Loss of leaf litter, surface rocks, fallen timber and bark and other ground cover.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Control of vertebrate pest populations, e.g. foxes, cats and rabbits, which either prey on, or compete against this species for resources.
- Instil appropriate fire regime so as to not burn all habitat and food sources within a region at one time, and to promote natural succession.
- Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, food sources or shelter sites.
- Retention of stick and leaf litter for food and shelter.
- Retain fallen logs as habitat (either embedded in the soil, on the surface or hollow logs).
- Maintain spinifex habitats.
Information sources
- Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 6th Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2003) Mallee slender blue-tongue lizard - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Sass, S., Swan, G., Marshall, B., Browne, T. and Graham-Higgs, N. (in press) () Disjunct populations of spinifex-obligate reptiles revealed in a newly described vegetation community near Broken Hill, far-western New South Wales. Australian Zoologist.
- Shea, G.M. and Miller, B. (1995) A Taxonomic Revision of the Cyclodomorphus branchialis Species Group (Squamata: Scincidae). Records of the Australian Museum. 47: 265-325.
- Shea, G.M. and Wells, R. (1983) New records of a skink and a gecko from western New South Wales. Herpetofauna. 15(1): 1-4.
- Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
- Wilson, S. and Swan, G. (2003) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
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