Mallee Worm-lizard - 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: Aprasia inaurita

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 17 Sep 2004

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

The Mallee Worm-lizard is also called the Pink-nosed Worm-lizard and Red-tailed Worm-lizard (and in Victoria Mallee Worm-lizard is used for the related Aprasia aurita). It is a slender pygopid (legless lizard), with an average snout-vent length of around 135mm, and a short and blunt tail. It is snake-like in appearance, with no forelimbs and very small hind-limb flaps. It is pale olive brown or greyish-brown above, with a reddish-brown hue around the head and neck and a bright reddish-orange tail. The undersides are whitish. It lacks an external ear opening, and has very small black eyes.

Distribution

This species has been recorded across the four southern mainland states, though its distribution in both Western Australian and New South Wales is restricted. Most records in NSW are from the south west corner of the state, though there are two records from the central mallee (Pulletop and Gubbata NRs) from 1999. Most records are from the mallee between Balranald and Gol Gol centred on Mallee Cliffs NP, though recent surveys in the Scotia mallee have also recorded this species.

Habitat and ecology

Inhabits semi-arid, mallee woodlands on red sands.
Often shelters in sand, beneath mallee stumps, in leaf litter or in the nests of ants and other insects; thought to be dependent on Spinifex (Triodia scariosa).
Feeds on the eggs of small black ants of the genus Aphaenogaster.
A burrowing species which is active during the day.
An oviparous (egg-laying) species that probably breeds in spring.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Loss of habitat (including trees, shrubs and spinifex) through clearing and other land management practices, and the removal of ground cover and debris.
Inappropriate fire frequencies may reduce the availability of suitable habitat for this species and its prey.
Soil compaction from machinery and domestic stock.
Heavy grazing and trampling of habitat and food resources by domestic stock, feral goats, rabbits and pigs.

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

Apply appropriate fire regimes 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.
Maintain spinifex habitats.
Retain stick and leaf litter for food sources and shelter.
Retain fallen logs as habitat and shelter.
Minimise soil disturbance from earth-moving machinery or sand mining.

Information sources

Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
Driscoll, D.A. (2004) Extinction and Outbreaks Accompany Fragmentation of a Reptile Community. Ecological Applications 14(1): 220-240
Driscoll, D.A. and Henderson, M.K. (2008) How many common reptile species are fire specialists? A replicated natural experiment highlights the predictive weakness of a fire succession model. Biological Conservation 141(2): 460-471
NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Mallee Worm-lizard - Endangered species determination - final.
Robertson, P. and Edwards, S. (1994) Conservation biology of the mallee worm-lizard (Aprasia aurita): an initial investigation. Report to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Victoria). (Wildlife Profiles, Heidelberg)
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
Schutz, A.J. and Driscoll, D.A. (2008) Common reptiles unaffected by connectivity or condition in a fragmented farming landscape. Austral Ecology 33(5): 641-52
Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Swan, M. and Watharow, S. (2005) Snakes, Lizards and Frogs of the Victorian Mallee. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood)
Val, J., Foster, E. and Le Breton, M. (2001) Biodiversity Survey of the Lower Murray Darling. Report for the Natural Heritage Trust, Environment Australia. (Department of Land and Water Conservation, Buronga)
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 36(1): 29-48
Webb, J.K. and Shine, R. (1994) Feeding habits and reproductive biology of Australian pygopodid lizards of the genus Aprasia. Copeia 2: 390-398
Wilson, S. and Swan, G. (2003) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)