Sadlier's skink
Common name: Sadlier's skink
Scientific name: Menetia sadlieri
Family: Scincidae
Conservation status: This species is listed as Vulnerable in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and it is ranked as a low priority under the Department of Environment and Resource Management Back on Track species prioritisation framework.
Description
Sadlier's skink is a small, ground dwelling skink that grows up to 63mm. The species is marked, with shades of brown with some gold flecking and an oily bluish sheen over some of the scales. The pale mid-lateral stripe is absent, although a narrow side strip on the upper side is present and the flanks (sides) are dark brown.
Habitat and distribution
Sadlier's skink is endemic to Queensland and is known only from Magnetic Island, off Townsville. The species may occur on parts of the nearby mainland, but no targeted surveys have been conducted to confirm this.
Basic habitat requirements are poorly understood. Most surveyed species have been from the low lying areas on Magnetic Island. Within the lowland areas, Sadlier's skinks appear to prefer seasonally dry Melaleuca swamps and areas with thick leaf litter. It is not known whether the skink occurs on the granite boulder hills that dominate the island.
Life history and behaviour
Very little is known of the biology and ecology of this species. Other members of the Menetia genus however, tend to be secretive litter dwellers and diurnal. This species reduces its exposure to predators by warming up underneath sun-warmed leaf litter. When disturbed, they are quick to vanish under leaf litter and even into friable soil.
Studies found that one female laid two eggs, but these failed to hatch in captivity. The breeding season and clutch size has not been recorded although a close relative (Menetia timlowi), is reproductively active during the early wet season and lays either one or two eggs per clutch.
The diet of this species is not known although it possibly feeds on insects and other arthropods.
Threatening processes
Sadlier's skink is threatened by habitat loss due to land clearing and thinning operations. Potential threats to this species may also include inappropriate fire regimes and predation by feral animals.
Recovery actions
- Conduct field surveys to clarify the extent of the species geographic range and its habitat preferences.
- Identify key habitat and priority areas for conservation and develop management guidelines to protect and appropriately manage these areas.
- Negotiate management agreements with landholders that are in line with recommended management guidelines to protect key habitat and priority areas.
- Implement monitoring programs in key habitat and priority conservation areas.
- Research the species biology, ecology (e.g. preferred fire regimes) and population dynamics to inform management and guide conservation efforts.
- Conduct community awareness of this species and other priority reptile species in Queensland.
What can you do to help this species?
- Become involved in community-based on-ground projects (e.g. fencing remnants to reduce grazing impacts, weed and feral predator control, reptile monitoring and field surveys) and help protect habitat across a suite of land tenures, particularly on non-reserved lands.
- Help protect this species by supporting integrated pest management activities which seek to address feral animal threats (e.g. cats, foxes).
- Report sightings of this species to the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) by contacting the WildNet Team via email on WildNet@derm.qld.gov.au.
Last updated 7 December 2011