White's Skink population in the Broken Hill Complex Bioregion - 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: Liopholis whitii population in the Broken Hill Complex Bioregion - endangered population

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Population

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 18 Nov 2005

Profile last updated: 07 Sep 2017

Description

Liopholis whitii is a medium sized, robust, rock dwelling skink, is brown above, grey or brown on the sides, usually with a series of dark brown or black spots on the back, which may be scattered or aligned longitudinally. It is found in rocky microhabitats in open woodland, heathland and grasslands over a wide geographic range in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland and it is not considered to be threatened.

A population of skinks formally known as E. margaretae have recently undergone taxonomic study and have been found to be a disjunct population of Egernia whitii (E. whitii is now known as Liopholis whitii). This population is found in the Broken Hill Complex Bioregion and has been reproductively isolated from other populations of L. whitii sufficiently long for it to have undergone morphological differentiation. As such the Broken Hill population of L. whitii has been listed as an endangered population.

Distribution

The Broken Hill Complex Bioregion population has a very restricted distribution, having been found only within a single gorge within Mutawintji National Park. This disjunct population of L. whitii is approximately 600 km from the closest other population (Chapple et al. 2005). The Broken Hill Complex Bioregion population has been reproductively isolated from other populations of L. whitii sufficiently long for it to have undergone morphological differentiation, but it can be assigned to L. whitii using molecular techniques (Chapple et al. 2005). It is most closely related to populations in Victoria and South Australia (Chapple and Keogh 2004).

Habitat and ecology

A diurnal lizard usually seen basking or foraging on open rock surfaces and among leaf litter near crevices, rockslopes and exfoliating rock slabs, among which the lizard shelters (Cogger 1994).
Thought to be an arthropod feeder.
Invariably remains close to cover, often in shadow and moves into this cover quickly when disturbed.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Broken Hill Complex

Threats

Small, isolated population with highly restricted distribution that is vulnerable to stochastic and one-off catastrophic events such as disease, severe habitat degradation, and severe adverse climatic events such as prolonged drought.
Goats degrade habitat, including browsing and trampling vegetation cover, reducing shade and humidity levels, reducing abundance and diversity of invertebrate prey, and displacing bushrock that provides sheltering sites. The constant movement of large numbers of goats limit the ability of the species to forage and bask.
Loss of key sheltering sites due to habitat trampling and overbrowsing by goats. Bushrock clusters critical for skink sheltering and burrowing have been broken up and displaced, increasing risk of species to exposure and reduced microsite humidity. Resulting erosion has caused loss of groundcover and siltation of sheltering sites.
Modification of moderate, mesic microclimate refugia habitat from extremes in temperature and moisture, both from a loss or degradation of habitat from goats and climate change.
Lack of knowledge of whether this relict population behaves similarly to other populations in more mesic areas and the population’s management requirements.
Insufficient understanding of species taxonomy limits quantification of species’ distribution, abundance and critical threats to manage

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

Remove feral goats, foxes and cats
Control of vertebrate pest populations, e.g. foxes, cats and rabbits.
Retain stick and leaf litter for food and shelter.
Maintain exfoliating and soil surface rocks in the area of concern.
Involve the wiimpatja (aboriginal) community in monitoring program.
Monitor the population.
Undertake research into genetic diversity.
Survey potential habitat.

Information sources

Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 6th Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Centralian Ranges Rock Skink Recovery Plan. NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2005) Centralian Ranges rock skink - removal of endangered species listing - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
NSW Scientific Committee (2005) White's skink population, Broken Hill Complex Bioregion - endangered population determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Sadlier, R.A. and Pressey, R.L. (1994) Reptiles and amphibians of particular conservation concern in the Western Division of New South Wales: A preliminary review. Biological Conservation 69(1): 41-54