Yellow-tailed Plain Slider - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

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. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Lerista xanthura

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 25 Jun 2004

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

A pale pinkish-buff skink with a bright yellow tail. The species is elongate and both the forelimbs and hindlimbs are reduced and bear only four-digits. Individuals reach a total length of approximately 90 mm.

Distribution

In NSW, the species is known from two disjunct populations. One population occurs between Tarawi Nature Reserve, Ivanhoe and Broken Hill, and the other in the north-west corner of the state. Since the 1970s, it has only been recorded from Kinchega, Sturt and Mutawintji National Parks, Tarawi Nature Reserve, and one record from Broken Hill.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in a variety of semi-arid and arid habitats.
Occurs on grassed alluvial sands and sand dunes, including dry open woodlands and spinifex-dominated red sand plains. The species is fossorial and usually found in loose soil or sand beneath stones, logs and other surface debris.
Animals are diurnal and feed on a variety of small invertebrates.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Loss of habitat as a result of clearing has led to a decline in species distribution and abundance
Fragmentation, resulting from clearing or degradation of the habitat has reduced genetic variability and reproductive opportunities and has increased genetic isolation and the potential for significant impacts arising from stochatic events such as drought or fire.
Degradation of the habitat, as a result of inappropriate grazing or fire regimes, has resulted in changes to the physical nature of the habitat, for example change in diversity and structure of floristics or invertebrates. Changes to the habitat may result in it being unsuitable for the species or may increase other threatening processes such as predation.
Fire may cause the direct loss of individuals, and inappropriate fire regimes may cause long-term changes to physical features such as floristic structure or leaf litter, which is unfavourable to sustaining a viable population of the species.
Predation by foxes or cats may have an impact, particularly where populations have already declined.
Catastrophic events such as drought or extensive wildfire.
Anthropogenic climate change is a long term significant threat as it will alter physical characteristics of the habitat such that it is no longer able to sustain a viable population.
Lack of knowledge on the species taxonomy and the importance of NSW to the species viability.

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 nest sites.
Restrict cultivation around suitable ground habitat.
Retention of grasslands, including the full cycle of grass development such a seed set and tussock formation.
Retention of stick and leaf litter for food and shelter.
Retention of understorey shrubs.
Retain fallen logs as habitat, including logs embedded in the soil, hollow logs and branches.
Maintain exfoliating and soil surface rocks in the area of concern.
Maintain Triodia (spinifex or porcupine grass) in the area.
Prevent clearing of habitat such as nesting sites and food sources.

Information sources

NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Yellow-tailed Plain Slider - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Great Darling Anabranch	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Menindee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Pooncarie-Darling	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Known	None