Guthega Skink - 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 guthega

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 30 Jun 2017

Profile last updated: 21 Sep 2021

Description

The Guthega Skink is a medium-sized lizard with a snout-vent length up to 11 cm. It is blackish-brown on the back and upper flanks with greyish-brown back and side stripes and numerous longitudinal rows of sharp, pale spots. The colour pattern of juveniles is often more pronounced than that of adults, with more prominent spots. The Guthega Skink is similar in appearance to Egernia whitii and Egernia montana but is distinguished by having a shorter tail and the presence of a blackish, upper side-stripe, overlain by two or three series of light grey or cream dots.

Distribution

The Guthega Skink is restricted to locations above 1600 m in the Australian Alps, in the vicinity of Mt Kosciuszko, NSW, and the Bogong High Plains, Victoria.

Habitat and ecology

The Guthega Skink occurs between 1600 m and 2170 m – in the coldest (winter snow cover) and some of the wettest regions on mainland Australia. Preferred habitats are usually rocky or have sub-surface boulders hidden beneath soil or thick vegetation. The NSW distribution occurs where there is a granite substrate and decomposing granite soils. Individuals have been recorded in a range of vegetation types, including open Eucalyptus pauciflora (Snow Gum) woodland with grassy or shrubby understoreys, dry tussock grassland, and tall and short heath.
A review of the life history of all Liopholis and Egernia species suggests that the Guthega skink would take 3–4 years to reach sexual maturity and have a lifespan of at least 8–10 years. The Guthega Skink mates in late spring or early summer and gives birth to three or four live young in February–March. Otherwise the breeding system and breeding success of the Guthega Skink is largely unknown.
The social structure and dispersion of the Guthega Skink is poorly known, but they are known to be colonial, and live in warren systems. It is likely that adults have considerable site fidelity frequenting a familiar burrow network and basking and foraging areas. Consequently, home ranges are likely to be small.
The diet of the Guthega Skink is likely to be dominated by invertebrates, which are taken opportunistically, with some plant material likely to be included.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Australian Alps

Threats

Changes in vegetation structure within preferred habitat brought about by wildfire, weed invasion, and climate change.
Grazing, trampling and ground disturbance by feral horses, deer and pigs.
Construction of infrastructure in alpine areas such as roads, tracks, buildings and ski runs resulting in loss and fragmentation of subalpine and alpine habitat.
Predation by rats, foxes, cats and dogs.
Lack of knowledge regarding the species distribution and abundance.
Lack of knowledge regarding the habitat requirements of the species.
Low genetic diversity in disjunct populations.
The infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi impacts habitat.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Undertake surveys to clarify the distribution and abundance of the Guthega Skink in NSW.
Assess the impact on the species of predation by exotic predators such as cats and foxes.
Assess the impact of wild horse, deer and pig grazing and trampling on the habitat of the species.
Control cats and foxes, particularly within and adjacent to Alpine resorts.
Control or eradicate invasive weeds within and adjacent to Guthega Skink habitat.
Control feral horses, deer and pigs throughout the Australian Alps.
Control wildfire around the areas where the species has been recorded and apply appropriate fire management to mimimise the impacts of wildfire and to maintain vegetation structure and diversity in habitat areas.
Avoid track works, ski run development, construction activities and any other forms of ground disturbance around Guthega Skink habitat.
Implement a monitoring program to detect population changes in relation to managment.

Information sources

Chapple, D.G. (2003) Ecology, life-history, and behaviour in the Australian Scincid genus Egernia, with comments on the evolution of complex sociality in lizards. Herpetological Monographs 17: 145–180.
Chapple, D.G., Keogh. J.S. and Hutchinson, M.A. (2005) Substantial genetic substructuring in southeastern and alpine Australia revealed by molecular phylogeography of the Egernia whitii (Lacertilia: Scincidae) species group. Molecular Ecology 14(5): 1279–1292.
Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
Donnellan, S.C., Hutchinson, M.N., Dempsey, P. and Osborne, W. (2002) Systematics of the Egernia whitii species group (Lacertilia: Scincidae) in south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 50(5): 439–459.
Green, K. and Osborne, W. (1994) Wildlife of the Australian Snow Country. (Reed Books, 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

Australian Alps

Snowy Mountains

Known

None

Images

Guthega Skink, Dave Hunter Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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