Long-legged worm-skink
Common name: long-legged worm-skink, five-clawed worm-skink
Scientific name: Anomalopus mackayi
Family: Scincidae
Conservation status: The long-legged worm skink is Endangered in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and Vulnerable nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). It is also considered a high priority for conservation under the Department of Environment and Resource Management 'Back on Track' species prioritisation framework.
Description
The long-legged worm-skink is a medium-sized, limbed Anomalopus species bearing three fingers and two toes. Its ground colour is greyish brown, paler below. In the south of its range individuals are unpatterned, while individuals from northern populations bear longitudinal rows of dark spots, one per scale, over the dorsal and lateral surfaces. The ventral surface is occasionally marked with rows of dark spots in the north of its range. The snout-vent length is 110mm. The long-legged worm-skink differs from all other Anomalopus species by the digital formula of three fingers and two toes.
Habitat and distribution
The habitat of the long-legged worm-skink is open woodland. Three specimens have been found beneath logs on red-black to black clay-loam soils in a gently sloping open paddock with even, low (approximately 5-10cm) grass cover and scattered eucalypts. Four additional specimens were found in a similar habitat and another was found under a log in largely cleared woodland near granite outcrops. A single specimen from north of Oakey was found under a railway sleeper on sandy soil.
Anomalopus mackayi is distributed throughout a relatively small area abutting the western edge of the Great Dividing Range in north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. Records in the past 20 years have come only from Oakey and the Dalby region of Queensland and Wallangra, Mungindi and Wee Waa regions of New South Wales. The Wallangra specimens link what were previously thought to be disjunct Queensland and New South Wales populations. The total range appears to have contracted eastwards. Localities for museum specimens collected prior to 1970 include a number on the plains south and west of Moree, and as far west as Goodooga, New South Wales.
Behaviour and life history
Very little is known about the biology of this burrowing skink. One specimen has been observed laying eggs in spring.
It is believed to feed on anthropods.
Threatening processes
The reason for the species past decline probably involves a combination of factors, including overgrazing by stock, clearance of habitat for agriculture (crop production) and grazing, soil compaction and erosion, loss of ground litter, irrigation and possibly soil and water pollution. Very little natural vegetation in good condition now remains within the known range, and much of the area is heavily modified and regularly cropped.
Recovery actions
- Protect areas of remnant habitat.
- Inform landholders of the importance of this species and identify management practices, such as limiting stock numbers and allowing regeneration of habitat where possible.
- Ground surveys to determine full geographic range, habitat preferences and occurrence in existing reserves.
- Research is required into the basic biology and ecology, and to identify the major factors contributing to the decline of the species.
Last reviewed 23 February 2011
Last updated 23 July 2010