Wedgesnout Ctenotus - 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: Ctenotus brooksi

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 25 Jun 2004

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

A skink that reaches a total length of 10-12 cm. The species is fawn to reddish-bronze or crimson above, with stripes and variegations that vary between individuals. Some bear a narrow, pale-edged black vertebral stripe from the nape to the tail.

Distribution

In NSW, the species is known from few records, all from Sturt and Paroo-Darling National Parks. It is likely that the Wedgesnout Ctenotus also occurs in similar habitat adjacent to these reserves.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in arid and semi-arid habitats and may be highly specialised, as it has only be recorded from large unconsolidated sand dunes and not from the low consolidated red sand ridges.
Prefers areas of loose sand interspersed with vegetation on and near the crests of dunes and in NSW it is probably restricted to habitats containing spinifex or other clumping grassland communities.
Is diurnal and feeds on a variety of small invertebrates.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Fragmentation, resulting from clearing or degradation of habitat, may reduce the size of populations and increase the extent to which they are isolated. Small, isolated populations have a greater risk of extinction due to genetic effects and chance events (e.g., drought and fire).
Degradation of the habitat, a result of inappropriate grazing or fire regimes, may result in changes to the physical and biological nature of the habitat (e.g., changes in the structure and floristics of vegetation, diversity and abundance of invertebrates). These changes may render habitat unsuitable or increase the risk posed by other threatening processes (e.g., predation).
Fire may cause the direct loss of individuals.
Predation by foxes or cats, particularly where populations have already declined.
Catastrophic events such as drought or extensive wildfire.
Anthropogenic climate change is a long term threat as it may alter habitat characteristics (e.g., change in physical structure or productivity) such that its capacity to support viable populations is reduced.
Insufficient understanding of species distribution and abundance

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 vertebrate pest populations (e.g., foxes, cats and rabbits) which either prey on the species or compete for resources.
Implement appropriate fire regime so as to not burn all habitat within a locality at one time and to promote natural succession.
Reduce stocking intensity or exclude grazing in some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation to provide shelter for the species and habitat for food resources.
Retain grasslands and allow grassland species to complete their lifecycle (i.e., seed set, germination, establishment, tussock formation).
Retention of stick and leaf litter.
Retain understorey shrubs and allow them to complete their life cycle (i.e. seed set, germination, establishment, growth to maturity).
Retain fallen logs and ground debris.
Maintain Triodia spp. (spinifex or porcupine grass) in the area.
Buffer habitat areas from the impacts of other activities.
Prevent clearing of habitat.

Information sources

Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
Hutchinson, M., Adams, M.S. and Fricker, S. (2006) Genetic variation and taxonomy of the Ctenotus brooksi species-complex (Squamata: Scincidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 130(1):48-65
Klöcker, U.S. (2009) Management of the terrestrial small mammal and lizard communities in the dune system of Sturt National Park, Australia: Historic and contemporary effects of pastoralism and fox predation. PhD Thesis, University of New South Wales.
NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Wedgesnout Ctenotus - Vulnerable species determination - final.
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
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)

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
Broken Hill Complex	Scopes Range	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Known	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Known	None