AUSTRALIAN BIODIVERSITY RECORD - Calodema

AUSTRALIAN BIODIVERSITY RECORD 

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2009 (No 3) ISSN 1325-2992 June, 2009 

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Some Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Considerations on the Class 

Reptilia in Australia. A Review of the Genera Eulamprus and 

Glaphyromorphus (Scincidae), including the Description of New Genera 

and Species. 

By 

Richard W. Wells 

P.O. Box 826, Lismore, New South Wales 

Australia, 2480 

Summary 

Wilson and Swan (2008) in the most recent authoritative work on the Australian Reptilia, have 

defined the Australian Scincid genus Eulamprus to currently include an assemblage of fifteen 

species comprising Eulamprus amplus, E. brachysoma, E. frerei, E. heatwolei, E. kosciuskoi, 

E. leuraensis, E. luteilateralis, E. martini, E. murrayi, E. quoyii, E. sokosoma, E. tenuis, E. 

tigrinus, E. tryoni, E. tympanum tympanum, and E. tympanum marnieae. 

Similarly, they defined the genus Glaphyromorphus in Australia to currently include an 

assemblage of fourteen species comprising Glaphyromorphus brongersmai, G. clandestinus, 

G. cracens, G. crassicaudus, G. darwiniensis, G. douglasi, G. fuscicaudis, G. gracilipes, G. 

isolepis, G. mjobergi, G. nigricaudis, G. pardalis, G. pumilus, and G. punctulatus. 

In my opinion, given the limitations imposed by the paucity of data available for some species, 

the arrangements presented in Wilson and Swan (2008) represented a ‘best fit’ phylogeny for 

the various assemblages of species. However, I believe that on balance it can be argued that 

the existing data clearly demonstrates that neither Eulamprus nor Glaphyromorphus 

represent monophyletic assemblages. After consideration of the zoogeographic and 

morphological characteristics of the above species groups, I have concluded that the genera 

Eulamprus and Glaphyromorphus as defined by most recent authorities should be split into 

several genera, so as to reflect a more accurate phylogeny. This has necessitated the 

partitioning of these species into 13 genera of which 5 are new. The new generic and specific 

arrangements are as follows: 

The genus Eulamprus Fitzinger, 1843 is restricted to the quoyii complex of species - 

Eulamprus heatwolei Wells and Wellington, 1984; Eulamprus herseyi Wells and Wellington, 

1985; Eulamprus marnieae Hutchinson and Rawlinson, 1995 stat. nov.; Eulamprus quoyii 

(Dumeril and Bibron, 1839); and Eulamprus tympanum (Lonnberg and Andersson, 1913). 

The genus Concinnia Wells and Wellington, 1984 is restricted to the tenuis group of species - 

Concinnia brachysoma (Lonnberg and Andersson, 1915); Concinnia frerei (Greer, 1992); 

Concinnia martini Wells and Wellington, 1985; Concinnia sokosoma (Greer, 1992); and 

Concinnia tenuis (Gray, 1831). 

A new genus Edenia is proposed for the enigmatic Hinulia tigrina De Vis, 1888 - Edenia 

tigrina (De Vis, 1888) comb. nov. 

Karma gen. nov. is proposed for the murrayi complex of species - Karma murrayi (Boulenger, 

1887) comb. nov.; and Karma tryoni (Longman, 1918) comb. nov. 

The genus Costinisauria Wells and Wellington, 1985 is restricted to the kosciuskoi group of 

species - Costinisauria couperi sp. nov. is formally described from the New England Plateau

Australian Biodiversity Record, 2009 (3): 1-96 

of NSW; Costinisauria kosciuskoi (Kinghorn, 1932); Costinisauria leuraensis (Wells and 

Wellington, 1984); and Costinisauria worrelli Wells and Wellington, 1985. 

The genus Deloidiogenes Wells and Wellington, 1985 is restricted to a single species - 

Deloidiogenes amplus (Covacevich and McDonald, 1980). 

Magmellia gen. nov. is proposed for luteilateralis - Magmellia luteilateralis (Covacevich and 

McDonald, 1980) comb. nov. 

The genus Glaphyromorphus Wells and Wellington, 1984 is now restricted to include only 

Glaphyromorphus clandestinus Hoskin and Couper, 2004, and Glaphyromorphus punctulatus 

(Peters, 1871). 

The genus Mawsoniascincus Wells and Wellington, 1985 is restricted to the isolepis complex 

of species - Mawsoniascincus brongersmai (Storr, 1972); Mawsoniascincus douglasi (Storr, 

1967); Mawsoniascincus foresti (Kinghorn, 1932); Mawsoniascincus harwoodi (Wells and 

Wellington, 1985 comb. nov.; Mawsoniascincus isolepis (Boulenger, 1887). 

A new genus, Serenitas is erected for the pardalis complex - Serenitas fuscicaudis (Greer, 

1979) comb. nov.; Serenitas nigricaudis (Macleay,1877) comb. nov.; and Serenitas pardalis 

(Macleay, 1877) comb. nov. 

The genus Opacitascincus Wells and Wellington, 1985 is restricted to the crassicaudus 

complex of species - Opacitascincus arnhemicus (Storr, 1967); Opacitascincus cracens 

(Greer, 1985) comb. nov.; Opacitascincus crassicaudus (Dumeril and Dumeril, 1851); 

Opacitascincus darwiniensis (Storr, 1967); and Opacitascincus pumilus (Boulenger, 1887) 

comb. nov. 

The genus Patheticoscincus Wells and Wellington, 1984 is used for its sole included species - 

Patheticoscincus gracilipes (Steindachner, 1870) comb. nov. 

Rhiannodon gen. nov. is proposed for a single species Rhiannodon mjobergi (Lonnberg and 

Andersson, 1915) comb. nov. 

Introduction 

For much of the 20 th Century, the generic name Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1843 was applied 

to a large number of Australian scincid lizards - either as a subgenus under Lygosoma, or 

more often as a distinct genus in its own right. The genus had even been applied historically 

to certain species in Africa and Central America. An attempt had been made by Mittleman 

(1950) to unravel the huge polyphyletic genus Lygosoma, and in so doing he left a residual 

mish-mash of species of uncertain relations within the genus Sphenomorphus. Mittleman’s 

concept of Sphenomorphus included species that occurred from mainland Asia to the 

Australia-Pacific region. 

The landmark papers by Greer (1967, 1970, 1974, 1979b et al.) essentially redefined the 

subfamilial and generic boundaries of the Australian Scincidae and laid the foundations upon 

which the Sphenomorphines and all other groups could be reclassified. However, the use of 

the genus Sphenomorphus for Australian species had continued largely unchallenged for 

decades. 

Notable exceptions were the erection of the genus Ctenotus by Storr (1964), the description 

of Eremiascincus by Greer (1979a, Calyptotis by Greer (1983), and later, Anomalopus by 

Greer and Cogger (1985). These papers, in tandem with Greer’s earlier work on the higher 

classification of the Scincidae, precipitated a totally fresh focus on the relationships of the 

Australian Sphenomorphines. The main problem that seemed to retard any further progress in 

the generic reclassification of the Sphenomorphines was the fact that it was a group that was 

long considered as Australasian - with potentially hundreds of species occurring not only 

across a vast area of continental Australia, but also on over a thousand barely surveyed 

islands in Indonesia as well as throughout largely unexplored New Guinea and its associated 

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islands. In other words most herpetologists considered that it was probably just too hard to 

evaluate given the limited state of knowledge on the alpha taxonomy of the group. 

However, one herpetologist in Western Australia began laying the foundations for the longoverdue 

taxonomic revision of the Australian “Sphenomorphus” - Dr Glenn Storr. Such 

revisionary work was more by default than design, for Storr’s first love was actually ecology - 

not taxonomy as widely assumed. When Storr began studying ecosystems in Western 

Australia, he quickly realised that the reptile fauna of Western Australia was largely in a state 

of taxonomic chaos. He was really forced to sort out the taxonomy before he could get stuck 

into the ecology, but the immense scale of the taxonomic problems of the Australian 

Herpetofauna ended up taking him over 30 years to unravel. 

When I discussed taxonomic matters with him in the early 1980s, he lamented his lost 

opportunities of publishing on the ecology of the reptile fauna because of the need to formally 

describe numerous species of reptiles first. However, he nevertheless had a vast knowledge 

of Australian ecosystems and habitats and this gave him tremendous insight into reptile 

speciation. 

He approached his taxonomic work from a fairly mechanistic approach though, and this often 

led others to a perception of superficiality or inadequacy with his descriptions and a general 

reticence by the herpetological community to adopt his taxonomic changes. For example 

Storr’s original description of Ctenotus had been brief - even lacking the formal designation of 

a Type Species, as well as a comprehensive definition of the generic content - and this 

proved rather problematic when trying to interpret the broader phylogeny of the other 

Australian Sphenomorphine elements. Indeed, even by the first edition of Reptiles and 

Amphibians of Australia by Cogger in 1975, the generic descriptions of Ctenotus and 

Sphenomorphus were almost identical, although by then Ctenotus was in common usage. It 

was clear that Storr had been correct in the creation of Ctenotus, but the phylogenetic limits 

and relationships of Ctenotus were a long way from being understood, as most of the species 

currently assigned to the genus had not been described or even discovered at the time of its 

description. 

Following his description of Ctenotus, Storr seemed rather reluctant to undertake much more 

work at the generic level. For instance he continued to maintain usage of Sphenomorphus for 

the isolepis complex in his 1967 and 1972 revisions despite the growing body of work by Fred 

Parker and Allen Greer on that genus extralimitally which made it very clear that nothing in 

Australia could be referrable to Sphenomorphus sensu stricto. Indeed, rather than describe 

obviously distinct genera, Storr seemed to curiously split species and lump genera - an 

approach that was seen at times confusing and inconsistent. It was clear to me however, that 

Storr was trying to get the alpha taxonomy finished before any serious attempts were made at 

working out the generic classification. 

Despite the conclusions on the phylogeny of Australian ‘Sphenomorphus’ of both Storr and 

Greer, the long-awaited Amphibia and Reptilia volume of the Zoological Catalogue of 

Australia by Cogger, Cameron and Cogger (1983) surprisingly maintained the use of 

Sphenomorphus for numerous Australian species as the phylogeny of the group was still 

unresolved even by then. 

Within a few months of the first appearance of this Catalogue, Wells and Wellington (1984) 

published the first of two revisions which effectively rejected the genus Sphenomorphus for 

Australian species. This first revision of March 1984 resurrected the genus Eulamprus for 

kosciuskoi, tympanum and quoyii, and also included within Eulamprus, descriptions of two 

new species - Eulamprus heatwolei and Eulamprus leuraensis. Additionally, Eulamprus 

gastrostigma was resurrected from the synonymy of quoyii for a distinctive coastal 

Queensland population. Although this action of using Eulamprus was quickly rejected by 

Shea and Peterson (1985), who retained the water skinks within the genus Sphenomorphus, 

subsequent publications by numerous other herpetologists such as Griffiths (1987), Greer 

(1989), Swan (1990), Hutchinson and Rawlinson (1995), Cogger (2000), Swan, Shea and 

Sadlier (2004), Wilson (2005), Wilson and Swan (2003, 2007, 2008, 2009), Swanson (2007), 

Cronin (2009), and the many papers by Shine and his colleagues (see references) have 

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supported the use of the genus Eulamprus over Sphenomorphus for Australian taxa. The 

resurrection of the genus Eulamprus by Wells and Wellington (1984) has now been widely 

accepted, although its definition has been broadened to include a range of other species that 

Wells and Wellington did not include within their conspect of Eulamprus. It should be noted 

however, that Wells and Wellington were convinced that the genus Eulamprus even in the 

restricted definition as they initially used it, was unlikely to be a monophyletic grouping. They 

considered that Eulamprus represented at least two phylogenetically distinctive assemblages 

of species - the quoyii complex and the kosciuskoi complex, but refrained from dividing 

Eulamprus until later (Wells and Wellington, 1985) when they erected Costinisauria for the 

kosciuskoi complex (see below). All subsequent authors have maintained the kosciuskoi and 

quoyii groups within Eulamprus, implying a very close relationship between the members. 

However, a recent study based on combined analysis of mtDNA and nuclear intron 

sequences of Australian Scincid lizards have shown by the included data that these groups 

do represent distinct, but obviously related lineages that have nevertheless been quite 

separate for millions of years (Rabosky et al, 2007, Skinner, 2007). 

Wells and Wellington (1984) also attempted to assess the phylogenetic position of the tenuis 

group of species. Consequently, the tenuis group was accommodated within a new genus - 

Concinnia - which included the following species: Concinnia amplus, Concinnia fuscicaudis, 

Concinnia luteilateralis, Concinnia mjobergi, Concinnia murrayi, Concinnia tenuis, Concinnia 

tigrina, and Concinnia brachysoma (which they resurrected from the synonymy of tenuis, a 

move later validated by Greer (1992) and much later supported by Cogger, in 2000, initially as 

a subspecies of tenuis, and later as a full species). This assemblage of species soon proved 

to be a rather unwieldy and confusing group, and Wells and Wellington later realised that 

there were in reality at least two separate radiations within their concept of Concinnia - the 

tenuis group (on which Concinnia was based by the original Type designation), and another 

apparently highly divergent group that included murrayi and luteilateralis. The anomalous 

inclusion of amplus, fuscicaudis and mjobergi within Concinnia only added to a confusion, 

which didn’t start to dissipate until it was realised that neither the murrayi species group, nor 

the former three species belonged in Concinnia or Eulamprus. Although few have so far 

accepted the genus Concinnia (but see Greer, 1989), there is now a growing acceptance of 

its validity, and I feel confident that its use for the tenuis group of species over Eulamprus 

shall eventually prevail. In a significant study on the phylogeny of Eulamprus, O’Connor and 

Moritz (2003) have recently concluded that the genus Concinnia should be used for the tenuis 

group of species. 

Two other major groups of related Sphenomorphines were also partitioned in the Wells and 

Wellington (1984) paper by the erection of another two new genera - Glaphyromorphus and 

Patheticoscincus. The genus Glaphyromorphus was described to accommodate a complex 

mixture of species whose precise relationships where still unclear at the time - viz: 

Glaphyromorphus brongersmai, Glaphyromorphus douglasi, Glaphyromorphus isolepis, 

Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis, Glaphyromorphus pardalis, Glaphyromorphus pumilus, 

Glaphyromorphus punctulatus and Glaphyromorphus erro (resurrected from the synonymy of 

isolepis for a distinctive population thought at the time to extend from north-west Queensland 

through the mid-Northern Territory). The arrangement offered, again also presented an 

implicit statement that isolepis in particular was a species complex. The genus 

Glaphyromorphus has also now been widely accepted as a valid entity - although opinions 

vary somewhat as to its precise phylogenetic position and what species it should actually 

include. 

The genus Patheticoscincus was described to accommodate a small group of elongate, semicryptozoic 

species which were at that time believed to comprise the australis complex - viz: 

Patheticoscincus australis (=gracilipes), Patheticoscincus arnhemicus (at the time elevated to 

a full species), Patheticoscincus crassicaudus, and Patheticoscincus darwiniensis (also 

treated as a full species). This was soon to prove to be a fairly artificial assemblage, due to 

the highly divergent members included, and Patheticoscincus has generally been ignored 

because of the growing awareness by other herpetologists of the polyphyletic nature of the 

then included species. The position maintained by Wells and Wellington in 1984 that 

arnhemicus and darwiniensis deserved to be elevated to specific status has now been fully 

confirmed by others. 

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Soon after, Wells and Wellington (1985) made further changes to the Australian 

Sphenomorphines in an attempt to refine the phylogenetic affinities of these problematic 

assemblages. One of the main foci of this paper was on the break-up of the names they had 

introduced in 1984 - Eulamprus, Glaphyromorphus and Patheticoscincus. 

At that time, Wells and Wellington then partitioned Eulamprus into two genera - Eulamprus 

and Costinisauria. Eulamprus was restricted to the quoyii complex comprising Eulamprus 

gastrostictus (Lectotype designated BMNH 1946.8.15.34 from Queensland), Eulamprus 

heatwolei, Eulamprus tympanum, Eulamprus quoyii and a new species - Eulamprus herseyi 

from Dora Dora National Park, near Albury, NSW. Implicit in this arrangement was that 

tympanum and quoyii were in fact species complexes, rather than the traditional treatment of 

both being just single species with vast distributions. To date, no one has yet proved that 

Eulamprus quoyii may actually represent a species complex, but some unpublished genetic 

studies by others have recently concluded that quoyii is probably composite. Similarly, there 

is growing interest in the morphological and genetic variation in both tympanum and heatwolei 

and it is likely that both will be eventually split into further taxa. The alpine water skinks (the 

kosciuskoi complex, comprising kosciuskoi, leuraensis and worrelli) were considered by Wells 

and Wellington to be so divergent from the quoyii group of species as to be worthy of 

separate generic recognition, and were thus placed within the new genus Costinisauria. 

Their conspect of the genus Glaphyromorphus was also modified in 1985 by transferring the 

isolepis group from Glaphyromorphus to another new genus - Mawsoniascincus (Type 

Species isolepis). This genus was erected to accommodate the following species: 

Mawsoniascincus brongersmai, Mawsoniascincus douglasi, Mawsoniascincus foresti, and 

Mawsoniascincus isolepis. Mawsoniascincus foresti was resurrected from the synonymy of 

isolepis for the distinctive East Kimberley, Western Australian population, and to ensure that 

the name isolepis was stabilised, Wells and Wellington also designated a Lectotype for 

isolepis - BMNH 1946.8.17.14 - from Nickol Bay, WA - which in effect restricted the species to 

a relatively small area on the mid west coast of Western Australia. Implicit in this decision was 

that isolepis was in fact a species complex, rather than the traditional treatment of isolepis 

being just a single species that occurred from Exmouth in Western Australia to far north-east 

Queensland. 

The use of Glaphyromorphus was now confined to the punctulatus group -which they defined 

as comprising Glaphyromorphus erro (which was further restricted to Cape York Peninsula, 

Qld), Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis, Glaphyromorphus ornatum [=pumilus], Glaphyromorphus 

pardalis, Glaphyromorphus punctulatus, and Glaphyromorphus harwoodi (a new species very 

briefly described from the Barkly Tableland of the Northern Territory). 

The genus Patheticoscincus was also split into two genera, Opacitascincus for the 

crassicaudus group comprising Opacitascincus arnhemicus, Opacitascincus crassicaudus, 

and Opacitascincus darwiniensis, and Patheticoscincus comprising only Patheticoscincus 

australis (=gracilipes) to better reflect the morphological relationships of the included species. 

The content of the genus Concinnia however, was left largely unchanged from their 1984 

arrangement, with the exception of the description of a new species in the tenuis complex - 

viz Concinnia martini, and the removal of the morphologically enigmatic amplus to its own 

monotypic genus - Deloidiogenes. Concinnia thereby now comprised Concinnia brachysoma, 

Concinnia fuscicaudis, Concinnia luteilateralis, Concinnia martini, Concinnia mjobergi, 

Concinnia murrayi, Concinnia tenuis, and Concinnia tigrina. 

While the above arrangements were a small step towards resolving the phylogeny of these 

poorly known taxa, it was clear that no small amount of confusion still prevailed in some 

circles in regards to the precise generic boundaries of some of the above species. There was 

still varied opinion on the phylogeny of the group, as exemplified by the scheme soon after 

proposed by Wilson and Knowles (1988), and in particular that of Ehmann (1992). Ehmann 

used both Eulamprus (for the water skinks) and Sphenomorphus for a mass of other species 

that he sub-divided into three species-groups - viz: the Sphenomorphus australis Group, the 

Sphenomorphus isolepis Group, and the Sphenomorphus murrayi Group. The 

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Sphenomorphus australis-group comprised eight taxa - Sphenomorphus arnhemicus, 

Sphenomorphus australis, Sphenomorphus cracens, Sphenomorphus crassicaudus, 

Sphenomorphus darwiniensis, Sphenomorphus mjobergi, Sphenomorphus pumilus, and 

Sphenomorphus punctulatus. The Sphenomorphus isolepis-group comprised six taxa - 

Sphenomorphus brongersmai, Sphenomorphus douglasi, Sphenomorphus fuscicaudis, 

Sphenomorphus isolepis, Sphenomorphus nigricaudis, and Sphenomorphus pardalis. The 

Sphenomorphus murrayi-group comprised five taxa - Sphenomorphus amplus, 

Sphenomorphus luteilateralis, Sphenomorphus murrayi, Sphenomorphus tenuis, and 

Sphenomorphus tigrinus. Both Wilson and Knowles’ (1988) and Ehmann’s (1992) 

Sphenomorphus groupings were obviously intended as putative generic arrangements that 

implied (I believe incorrectly) monophyletic radiations. The only available names for a part of 

these groups of species - those earlier erected by Wells and Wellington (1984, 1985) were 

completely ignored by Wilson and Knowles who were presumably reticent to inject radically 

new taxonomy into what was essentially a mass-market popular book. In the case of Ehmann, 

the Wells and Wellington names had been effectively frozen by an application to the ICZN for 

suppression - which forced Ehmann and others post-1988 to maintain use of Sphenomorphus 

- although by the time of publication of Ehmann’s work, the matter had already been resolved 

by the ICZN. As the Wells and Wellington works were not suppressed by the ICZN, the 

alternative generic arrangement became available for use in 1991 - although Greer and 

others had already started using Wells and Wellington names well in advance of the ICZN’s 

decision (for example Concinnia was already in limited use by 1989). 

In 1992, Greer’s landmark revision on the tenuis complex, not only added new species and 

data for previously described taxa, it also confirmed the taxonomic validity of martini, and 

clearly established that the tenuis group was a distinct phyletic radiation. This would have 

been an opportune publication for the recognition of the genus Concinnia for the group, but 

Greer maintained the use of Eulamprus for the revision, despite having used Concinnia earlier 

presumably because there was still no clear understanding that the included members were 

each others closest relatives. Although I was initially at odds with this decision, I eventually 

came to realise that Greer was correct in his conservative approach to the significance of 

relationships within the tenuis group. 

In the most recent comprehensive texts on the Australian Reptilia the name Sphenomorphus 

is now effectively removed from the Australian fauna. However, the phylogeny of the group 

within Australia is still partly unresolved, with some of the various species groups having been 

now dumped within just two genera - Eulamprus and Glaphyromorphus. I have prepared 

revisions of all the other members of the Sphenomorphine radiation in Australia and I 

anticipate publication as soon as possible. The new arrangement that is presented below for 

Eulamprus and Glaphyromorphus (sensu Wilson and Swan (2008) will hopefully clarify some 

of the issues of phylogeny that have largely remained unresolved, and perhaps stimulate a 

fresh look at the entire group. I have included a complete primary synonymy for each species, 

but only a partial secondary synonymy of some of the more important popular works that 

mention the particular taxon. Given the known diversity and distribution of the various 

assemblages, I have little doubt that other related species remain to be discovered and it is 

hoped that the following framework will be of assistance as such new discoveries come to 

light. 

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SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNTS 

Eulamprus Fitzinger, 1843 

Eulamprus Fitzinger, L.J. (1843). Systema Reptilium. Vienna: Braümüller u. Seidel vi 106 pp. 

[p.22]. Type Species: Lygosoma quoyii Duméril and Bibron, 1839 by original designation. 

Hinulia Gray, J.E. (1845). Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards in the Collection of the 

British Museum. London: British Museum xxviii 289 pp. [70, 74]. Type Species: Lygosoma 

quoyii Duméril and Bibron, 1839 by subsequent designation, see also Mittleman, 1952 - 

Smithson. Misc. Collect. 117(4069): 1-35. 

Diagnosis: As presently defined, a genus of moderate-sized Scincid lizards from eastern and 

south-eastern Australia, readily separated from all other genera by the following combination 

of characters: head shape deep with distinctly pointed snout in profile (vs head shape blunt 

and deep, and distinctly rounded in profile in Costinisauria); tail long and tapering usually 

about twice SVL and lateral compressed (vs tail less than twice SVL and round in section in 

Costinisauria); body scales smooth in adult and sub-adult specimens, but scales keeled in 

neonates; in 34-44 rows at mid-body; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontals 

usually separated, but sometimes in point contact; supraoculars 4, first three contacting 

frontal; frontoparietals paired; interparietal distinct; supranasals usually absent; postnasals 

absent; nasals separated; supralabials usually 7; loreals 2; preocular 1; lower eyelid movable 

and scaly; presuboculars 3; suboculars 2-3; primary temporal much smaller than secondary 

temporals; mature specimens have the upper secondary temporals separated across the 

nape by four or five variable, obliquely aligned scales which contact the posterior margins of 

the parietals (in the genus Costinisauria, mature specimens of the included species have only 

two or three much enlarged scales contacting the posterior margin of the parietals, resulting 

from a transversely enlarged nuchal and one or two large scales between the nuchal and the 

upper temporal); upper secondary temporal elongate (longer than deep), in contact with 

margin of parietal; lower secondary temporal almost square, but still slightly deeper than long; 

ear-opening present and tympanum conspicuous (larger than nasal scale); margin of auricular 

opening smooth-edged, without anterior ear lobules; postmental contacts first two or three 

infralabials on each side (vs first infralabial only contacts postmental on each side in Karma 

gen. nov.); first pair of chin shields in broad medial contact; second pair of chin shields 

separated by a single scale; third pair of chin shields fragmented and separated by five 

smaller rows of scales (vs 3 rd pair of chin shields not fragmented and separated by only 3 

rows of smaller scales in Concinnia); well-developed pentadactyl limbs that overlap when 

adpressed; hind limbs much longer than forelimbs (vs shorter limbed, with hind limbs only 

marginally bigger than forelimbs in Costinisauria); 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 

4th toe broad; 20-34 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe; subdigital lamellae deeply grooved 

longitudinally, and divided basally (vs subdigital lamellae smooth in Concinnia and Karma 

gen. nov.); supradigital lamellae in a single row distally (vs supradigital scales in two rows in 

Magmellia gen. nov.); median pair of preanals larger than lateral preanals. Species in this 

genus are moderate-sized, attaining a maximum total length of around 180-350 mm. and a 

snout-vent length of about 80-140 mm. Viviparous. 

Etymology: The name ‘Eulamprus’ means in effect, ‘very beautiful’. 

Content: Eulamprus heatwolei Wells and Wellington, 1984; Eulamprus herseyi Wells and 

Wellington, 1985; Eulamprus marnieae Hutchinson and Rawlinson, 1995 stat. nov.; 

Eulamprus quoyii (Dumeril and Bibron, 1839); and Eulamprus tympanum (Lonnberg and 

Andersson, 1913). 

Eulamprus heatwolei Wells and Wellington, 1984 

Sphenomorphus quoyii tympanum Loveridge, 1934 - Aust. Rept. Mus. Comp. Zool., 

Cambridge [p. 350]. 

Sphenomorphus tympanus Mittleman, 1952 - Generic Synop.Lygosominae [p. 31] 

Sphenomorphus tympanum (part) Worrell, 1963 - Rept. Austr. [p. 53] 

Sphenomorphus tympanum Warm Temperate Form Rawlinson, 1969 - Rept. East Gippsland. 

Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict., 82: 113-128 [p. 119] 

Sphenomorphus tympanum Warm Temperate Form Jenkins and Bartell, 1980 - Rept. Austr. 

High Country [Pp. 189-191] 

Sphenomorphus tympanum Cogger, Cameron and Cogger, 1983 - Zool. Cat. Austr. 1. Amph. 

Rept. 

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Eulamprus heatwolei Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synop. Class Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

1(3-4): 73-129 [93] [1983 on title page]. Type data: Holotype AM R111949 (previously 

AMF27987). Type Locality: Macquarie Rivulet just east of Robertson, NSW. 

Eulamprus heatwolei Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [p.27] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 1985] 

Sphenomorphus heatwolei Shea and Peterson, 1985 - Proc. Linn. Soc. NSW, 108 (2): 141- 

148 [p. 144] [dated 1984, but not published until November, 1985] 

Eulamprus heatwolei Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 248] 

Eulamprus heatwolei Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 483] 

Eulamprus heatwolei Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 

218-219] 

Eulamprus heatwolei Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 146] 

Eulamprus heatwolei Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 168] 

Eulamprus heatwolei Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 234-235] 

Description: A commonly observed lizard of stream-sides and well-watered areas in the 

cooler more elevated areas, or areas of lower elevation in the more southerly latitudes in 

south-eastern Australia. This species is most closely related to Eulamprus tympanum, from 

which it can be easily distinguished by a distinctive colouration, longer limbs, more gracile 

body and tail, and narrower head. Eulamprus heatwolei is a medium-sized skink, with a long 

fragile tail that has moderate lateral compression in section. The base body colour may be 

bronze, coppery-brown, or olive-brown dorsally. The top of the head is usually strongly 

marked with black flecks and small blotches on deep brown, while the sides of the temples 

and cheeks usually have distinctive white spots. There is usually a short, very narrow or 

rather indistinct pale yellow dorso-lateral stripe that extends from the supraoculars, along the 

upper neck, and just onto the forebody. The dorsum of the body is usually heavily speckled, 

flecked or blotched with black, with the flecking being more-or-less longitudinally-aligned. 

Some specimens may be very heavily flecked and blotched with black over the head and 

back and base of the tail, although some such as those from the New England Plateau may 

be more much lightly spotted with black over the dorsum or even be an unmarked bronze 

brown, in contrast with the more boldly patterned specimens from the Southern Tablelands of 

NSW and elsewhere (but see comment on taxonomy below). Some populations in Victoria 

and South Australia also have the dorsum more plain coppery-brown with only a light 

scattering of black flecks at best. The upper lateral zone, between the neck posterior of the 

body is usually black and contains scattered pale yellow or creamish speckles or spots that 

may have an irregular vertical and longitudinal alignment to them, due to the pale markings 

being each associated with a single body scale. The lower lateral zone is creamish or 

creamish-yellow with dense black flecking which may form a variegated pattern posteriorly, 

and a finer, darker purplish-brown peppering pattern anteriorly. The upper parts of the limbs 

are the same colour as the dorsum, but with black flecks and small blotches, and the side of 

the original tail is heavily speckled and barred with black; regenerated tails are plain brown. 

The lateral of the head can be black, or the same as the dorsum, with black blotching, and 

there is usually a pale white line that runs over the infralabials and under the ear opening. As 

mentioned above, a short, pale creamish or yellowish, poorly defined streak also runs from 

above the eye to the nape - but sometimes to the mid-body. The anterior margin of the 

auricular region is black. The venter of the body is unmarked whitish or creamish-yellow to 

bright yellow (particularly intense around the thighs and pelvic region in mature specimens), 

but the throat, and chin are heavily blotched with blackish or dark bluish or bluish-grey on a 

base of pale cream or white. Important diagnostic features that separate E. heatwolei from its 

congenor E. tympanum can be summarised as follows: In Eulamprus heatwolei, the anterior 

margin of the ear-opening is black, whereas in Eulamprus tympanum the margin is creamish 

or a pale brown. The pale post-supraciliary streak of Eulamprus heatwolei is entirely absent in 

Eulamprus tympanum. There are also pronounced differences in the ventral colouration 

between the two species. Eulamprus heatwolei usually has an unmarked plain yellow ventral 

surface, whereas the venter of Eulamprus tympanum is paler lemon at its brightest, and has 

the addition of fine black flecking throughout - which in some areas is so pronounced as to 

give Eulamprus tympanum a darker, more metallic look to the ventral surface of the body. The 

darker gular colouration of Eulamprus heatwolei also readily separates the two species (the 

gular region is immaculate in Eulamprus tympanum). In E. heatwolei, the head, limbs, body 

8


and tail tend to be longer or more gracile (more similar to the condition in Eulamprus quoyii) 

when compared to the more robust-looking E. tympanum. The superficial similarity with its 

much larger congenor Eulamprus quoyii mainly relates to the occasional presence of an 

extended pale dorsolateral stripe in Eulamprus heatwolei and this may cause no small 

amount of confusion in identifying Eulamprus heatwolei from Eulamprus quoyii on superficial 

inspection. In some populations of Eulamprus heatwolei, the thin creamish or yellowish 

dorsolateral stripe that runs from just above and behind the eye, along the nape, and along 

most of the anterior of the body is far less distinct that in E. quoyii. When this stripe is present 

in E. heatwolei, it is always much less distinct than in Eulamprus quoyii, and often it is entirely 

absent or so obscure as to be barely noticeable anyway. Further, only rarely does Eulamprus 

heatwolei possess a pale streak that extends from behind the eye to just above the ear 

opening. Some significant features of Eulamprus heatwolei morphology are: body scales 

smooth in adults and sub adults, but keeled in neonates, 36-44 at mid-body (counted 

longitudinally); paravertebral scales 68-89, about the same size as, or only slightly broader 

than adjacent dorsals; parietals in point to only moderate contact behind the interparietal; 

prefrontals usually separated, but sometimes in point contact; interparietal elongate, about 

twice as long as wide, and usually not separating parietals; mature specimens have the 

posterior edges of the parietals bordered across the nape by four or five variable, obliquely 

aligned scales which usually comprise 1-3 nuchals, plus the upper secondary temporals; 

supralabials 7-9 (usually 7), with the 5 th or 6 th subocular; infralabials 6-9 (usually 8), with 

postmental in contact with first two (occasionally 3) infralabials on each side; lower eyelid 

movable and scaly; supraciliaries 7-11 (usually 9); ear-opening present and conspicuous 

(larger than nasal scale); no anterior ear lobules; supraoculars 4; supranasals usually absent; 

nasals separated; rostral in narrow contact with frontonasal; well-developed pentadactyl limbs 

that strongly overlap when adpressed; hind limbs much longer than forelimbs, and all 

appendages longer than those of Eulamprus tympanum; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; 

base of 4th toe broad, and most lamellae with a median groove, and divided basally; 23-29 

subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe. Premaxillary teeth usually 9 (rarely 8). Attains a 

maximum total length of around 200 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 90 mm. although 

slightly longer specimens can be occasionally found. Variation in morphology suggests that 

this species may be composite. In particular the isolated populations on the Fleurieu 

Peninsula in South Australia, and more significantly, those on the New England Plateau, 

NSW appear to me to be distinct morphologically from topotypic E. heatwolei of the NSW 

Southern Highlands in their body-form and colouration and so should be more closely studied. 

This population from the New England Plateau in NSW has been frequently misidentified in a 

number of publications as either Eulamprus quoyii or Eulamprus tympanum. I was intending 

to describe this species some years ago but never got around to it due to other matters. 

Fortunately, Dr Glenn Shea has indicated that he will be describing this very distinctive water 

skink as a new species as soon as possible. 

Distribution: As presently defined, this species occurs as a number of isolated populations 

over a large part of eastern and south-eastern Australia, ranging from the New England 

Plateau, south through the Blue Mountains, and Southern Highlands and Tablelands in New 

South Wales (including the Australian Capital Territory). Known also from the Five Islands 

Group off Wollongong, and the Tollgates Islands. It is also widespread in north-eastern 

Victoria to about as far south as the Goulburn River, and into south-eastern South Australia 

where an isolated population occurs on the Fleurieu Peninsula from the Deep Creek area, to 

the northern shore of Lake Alexandrina. 

Habitat: This species - as presently defined - occurs from sea level to over 1000 metres 

elevation, although in the northern part of its range in New South Wales, it mainly occurs in 

the higher tablelands and ranges, whereas the more southern populations tend to favour 

much lower coastal areas or the lower altitude foothills and lower tablelands of the Great 

Dividing Range. Consequently, it is known to utilise a variety of temperate or montane 

sclerophyll vegetation communities (usually but not exclusively riparian), ranging from wet or 

dry sclerophyll forest, open woodland, to heathland and is often found in association with 

rotting logs and/or rock outcroppings. The open margins of hanging swamps, marshes, 

freshwater creeks and rivers, and soaks are all utilised, but in some densely forested areas in 

eastern New South Wales and Victoria, populations can occur well away from water courses, 

but usually along ecotonal or more exposed edges of forests. Its close relative Eulamprus 

tympanum tends to favour damper cooler conditions in more densely forested (i.e. less open) 

upland areas. Eulamprus heatwolei readily adapts to a range of disturbed conditions, such as 

9


selective logging and bushfires, and may eventually recolonize riparian conditions following 

agricultural and urban developments. 

Biology/Ecology: This is essentially a very common species wherever it occurs. It is a diurnal, 

terrestrial and semi-aquatic species that lives both along the verges of permanent or semipermanent 

watercourses in upland areas, as well as in open woodland with plenty of open 

patches that favour basking. Although it is most similar ecologically to Eulamprus quoyii in its 

preference for more permanent water bodies, it may also be found in areas somewhat distant 

from obvious water. In such circumstances, the habitat is usually well-vegetated and damp or 

has an abundance of moist microhabitat refuges and basking sites such as scattered logs, 

rocky ridges or rock outcrops in association with perennial or non-perennial stream gullies. 

Basking sites are often logs or rocks, under which they retreat when disturbed. Other shelter 

sites are hollow logs, rock crevices, soil cavities associated with exposed tree roots and rocks 

along the edges of watercourses, piles of flood debris, earth cracks and the burrows of other 

animals. Although this species is mainly terrestrial, mature individuals are also excellent 

climbers, and may be found active well-up on waterfalls or rock faces along creeks, or on 

occasions up tree trunks that afford suitable cracks or hollows. They also readily uses rock 

crevices, earth-cracks, burrows, hollow logs and the interiors of rotting tree stumps for overwintering, 

as well as to avoid bushfires during their active months. It will readily retreat to 

water when escaping from potential predators, by swimming both under water as well as on 

the surface. In general this species requires warmer or more exposed sites than Eulamprus 

tympanum, which tends to prefer more sheltered and cooler sites. Although these two species 

usually occupy quite different habitats and so only marginally overlap in range, in some areas 

of NSW and Victoria, they can be found sympatrically even along the same watercourse. 

However, in such circumstances, E. tympanum utilises aspects that are less exposed to the 

sun and more densely vegetated than E. heatwolei - which prefers the more open and 

exposed sections of streams in keeping with its higher thermal requirements. Like the other 

members of the genus Eulamprus, E. heatwolei is viviparous. Mating occurs in September- 

October, and reportedly 2-5 live young (usually about 3 or 4) are produced in a brood around 

the end of Summer. Genetic studies have indicated that at least two males contribute to a 

females litter. Feeds on both land and in water, mainly consuming a wide range of small 

invertebrates (including beetles, collembolans, orthopterans, hymenopterans, centipedes and 

spiders), but it will also eat small lizards, small fishes, and tadpoles or metamorphling frogs. 

Gravid females continue to feed during pregnancy and bask for longer periods than males 

presumably to shorten development time of the young. Known predators are mainly snakes 

(such as Pseudechis porphyriacus, Notechis scutatus, Pseudonaja textilis, Austrelaps 

ramsayi, and in lower coastal areas of south-eastern NSW - Acanthophis antarcticus). 

Juveniles have been shown to exhibit aversion behaviour to a range of potential predator 

odours, whereas adults appear to be less so reactive. 

Survival Status: Protected under the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974) 

but not listed in that State as a Threatened Species in any of the Schedules of the NSW 

Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995). Also protected under the SA National Parks 

and Wildlife Act (1972) and the ACT Nature Conservation Act (1980), and the Victorian 

Wildlife Act (1975) [but not listed in Schedule 2 of the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee 

Act (1988) or in the Threatened Fauna Act (1995)]. Overall regarded as a common species 

where ever it occurs, although in South Australia, the distinctive isolated population on the 

Fleurieu Peninsula is considered to be rare. 

Etymology: The name 'heatwolei' honours American herpetologist and ecologist Harold 

Heatwole. 

Eulamprus herseyi Wells and Wellington, 1985 

Eulamprus herseyi Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [p.29] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 1985]. 

Type data: Holotype AM R116967. Type Locality: 'Dora Dora National Park Proposal near 

Albury, NSW' [35°55'S 147°35'E]. [See also Shea and Sadlier, 1999 - Tech. Rep. Aust. Mus. 

15: 1-91 - where this species is invalidly synonymised with Eulamprus tympanum]. 

Eulamprus tympanum Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 250] 

Eulamprus tympanum Hutchinson and Rawlinson, 1995 - Rec. South Aust. Mus. 28(2): 185- 

207 

Eulamprus tympanum Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 489] 

10


Eulamprus tympanum tympanum Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 

Australia [p. 222-223] 

Eulamprus tympanum Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 154] 

Eulamprus tympanum Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 238-239] 

Description: This is a medium-sized skink, with a long fragile tail that has moderate lateral 

compression in section. Note that the later synonymising of Eulamprus herseyi with 

Eulamprus tympanum by Hutchinson and Rawlinson (1995) is herein rejected, as the 

morphology of Eulamprus tympanum sensu stricto (southern Victoria) clearly differs from that 

of E. herseyi] 

Distribution: At present believed confined to the Snowy Mountains and hinterlands of southern 

New South Wales and northern Victoria. 

Habitat: Occurs in rocky areas along or near watercourses in montane and alpine woodland. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a diurnal and essentially terrestrial species that basks either on logs 

or ground litter fairly close to a favoured retreat site. Viviparous and largely insectivorous in 

dietary habits. 



Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995). Also protected under the Victorian Wildlife Act 

(1975) [but not listed in Schedule 2 of the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988) or 

in the Threatened Fauna Act (1995)]. Regarded as widespread and common. 

Etymology: The name ‘herseyi’ honours the Australian naturalist and conservationist, the late 

Frederick Hersey, who while working for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, greatly 

assisted numerous herpetologists. 

Eulamprus marnieae Hutchinson and Rawlinson, 1995 stat. nov. 

Eulamprus tympanum marnieae Hutchinson and Rawlinson, 1995 - Rec. South Aust. Mus. 

28(2): 185-207. Type data: Holotype NMV. Type Locality: 5.5 km E of Dreeite, Victoria 

[38°11"S 143°34' E]. 

Eulamprus tympanum [part] Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 483] 

Eulamprus tympanum marnieae Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Eulamprus tympanum marnieae Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 

Australia 2 nd Edition [p. 238-239] 

Description: Herein formally elevated to specific status due to the significant scalation 

differences possessed by Eulamprus marnieae. This is one of the most attractive of the 

Montane Water Skinks, with its complex pattern of black blotching and barring. It is a mediumsized 

skink (although noticeably larger than E. tympanum), with a somewhat depressed body 

(vs a more rounded body form in E. tympanum), and a long fragile tail that has moderate 

lateral compression. The smaller body scales readily distinguish this species from all other 

species of Eulamprus. The colouration and patterning is very distinct when compared with its 

congenor E. tympanum. As indicated above, perhaps the most striking feature of E. marnieae 

is the distinctive black markings of the dorsum. The darker overall body colouration of E. 

marnieae is dominated by a series of short transverse black bars on the dorsum of the body 

and tail, markings which are entirely lacking in E. tympanum. The black markings on the tail 

are transversely aligned in wavy broken rows and create a rough banded effect. The upper 

lateral of the neck and body is black, with an irregular series of yellow spots that run from the 

neck, and along the body to the groin; the ventrolateral area of the head, neck and body is 

creamish-yellow, with indistinct dark flecking, while the snout, supralabials and temporals can 

be glossy black in some specimens or in others, the black is reduced to the temporals, with 

the labials and snout blotched with black on olive-brown. In E. marnieae the venter is bright 

yellow, and the under surface of the limbs and tail pale yellow. This yellow ventral colouration 

can be quite intense, and includes a series of striking black longitudinal bars or streaks amid 

the yellow base colour. Overall, the yellow colouring is more extensive and brighter in E. 

marnieae than it is even in Eulamprus heatwolei (in E. tympanum the belly is pale whitishcream 

or lemon-yellow). The higher dorsal scale count of Eulamprus marnieae readily 

distinguishes this species from Eulamprus tympanum also. E. marnieae usually has 43 dorsal 

scales or more (counted longitudinally), whereas E. tympanum usually has less than 43 

11


dorsal scales. Additionally, E. marnieae has slightly fewer paravertebrals than E. tympanum. 

Some important morphological characteristics are: body scales smooth in adults and sub 

adults, but keeled in neonates; dorsal scales 40-48 - counted longitudinally, at midbody (vs 

34-44 in E. tympanum); paravertebrals 76-95, about the same size as, or only slightly larger 

than adjacent dorsals; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontals usually 

separated, but sometimes in point contact; interparietal elongate, about twice as long as wide, 

and almost or usually separating parietals (in E. tympanum the interparietal usually does not 

separate the parietals); mature specimens have the upper secondary temporals separated 

across the nape by four or five variable, obliquely aligned scales which contact the posterior 

margins of the parietals (usually comprised of 1-3 nuchals, plus the upper secondary 

temporals); supraoculars 4; supranasals absent; nasals separated; supralabials 6-8 with the 

5 th or 6 th subocular (vs 6-9 in E. tympanum, with the 4 th , 5 th , or 6 th subocular); infralabials 7-9 

with postmental in contact with first two infralabials on each side (vs 6-9 in E. tympanum); 

lower eyelid movable and scaly; supraciliaries 7-9 (vs 8-10 in E. tympanum); ear-opening 

present and conspicuous (larger than nasal scale); no anterior ear lobules; well-developed 

pentadactyl limbs that overlap when adpressed; hind limbs much longer than forelimbs; 4th 

toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 4th toe broad, and most lamellae with a median groove, 

and divided basally; 20-26 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe. Premaxillary teeth usually 8. 

Attains a maximum total length of around 270 mm., and a snout-vent length of about 100 mm. 

Variation in morphology suggests that this species may be polytypic. 

In my opinion the two distinct populations of this species could be separately classified as 

subspecifically distinct from each other. The nominate form - Eulamprus marnieae marnieae 

occurs around Dreeite, while the other Eulamprus marnieae subsp. nov. (as yet unnamed), 

occurs around Lake Bolac and elsewhere. 

Distribution: Known only from a small area of ancient crater lakes and their environs in southwestern 

Victoria around Lake Corangamite, the Streatham area, Nerrin and Lake Bolac, with 

most locations being in the vicinity of the Dreeite area. 

Habitat: Lives among basalt rocks and tussock grasses in fairly damp, cool situations, usually 

near permanent or ephemeral water courses, swamps, lakes and soaks. The habitat is rainfall 

deficient in the hotter Summer period, but Autumn and Winter rains flood low-lying parts, 

providing moist conditions beneath rock outcroppings that sustain the species during the drier 

months. It occupies low stony rises where it shelters in both rock crevices and in short earth 

burrows beneath basalt rocks, and also occurs in habitats that have been long subjected to 

stock grazing, where they have colonized basalt dry-stone walls of farms. The available 

natural habitat is very restricted in area, and is completely surrounded by unsuitable habitat 

only occupied by Eulamprus tympanum. Rock removal (to increase grazing land, as well as 

the past selling-off of the old dry-stone walls for garden rocks), vegetation clearance, 

excessive grazing and damage to water quality by pollutants can all negatively impact on this 

species. 

Biology/Ecology: A shy, retiring species when disturbed, quickly retreating into rock crevices 

and other protective cover at the slightest disturbance. Feeds mainly on small invertebrates, 

such as spiders, beetles, snails, grasshoppers, and various aquatic species. It will also eat 

small lizards, and the fruiting bodies of the Volcanic Plain Tree Violet (Melicytus (cf) dentata) 

as well. Viviparous, producing from 2-7 large young in late December-early January 

(Summer). 

Survival Status: Federally, this taxon is classified as Endangered under the Commonwealth 

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) (listed as Eulamprus 

tympanum marnieae). Protected under the Victorian Wildlife Act (1975) and listed as 

Threatened in Schedule 2 of the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988) [see also 

Threatened Fauna Act (1995)]. Regarded by some as critically endangered in Victoria. 

Etymology: The marnieae honours Marnie Lincoln Rawlinson. 

12


Eulamprus quoyii (Dumeril and Bibron, 1839) 

Scincus vittatus Quoy, J.R.C. and Gaimard, J.P. (1824). Zoologie. in Freycinet, L.C.D. 

Voyage Autour du Monde Exécute sur l'Uranie et la Physicienne pendant les années 1817- 

1820 iv 712 pp. [p.178, pl. 42 fig. 1] [junior primary homonym of Scincus vittatus Olivier, 1804 

(= Mabuya vittata)]. Type data: Syntypes MNHP 7112-3. [Lectotype designated by 

Hutchinson and Rawlinson (1995) as MNHN 7112]. Type locality: Neutral Bay, Port Jackson, 

NSW. 

Gongylus (Lygosoma) quoyii Duméril, A.M.C. and Bibron, G. (1839). Erpétologie 

Générale…Vol. 5 viii 854 pp. [p.728] [published Nov., 1839; Var. A; extralimital syntype (Var. 

B) is a specimen of Leiolopisma reveesi (Gray, 1839) (see Guibé, 1954 - Muséum National 

d'Histoire Naturelle 119 pp.)]. Type data: Syntypes MNHP 2976, MNHP 2977, MNHP 7112-3. 

Type Locality: Port Macquarie, NSW, Neutral Bay, NSW and Australia (var. A) and China 

(var. B), Australia, Neutral Bay [Lectotype designated by Wells and Wellington (1985) as 

MNHN 7113 (from Neutral Bay, Port Jackson, NSW)]. 

Eulamprus quoyii Fitzinger, 1843 - Systema Reptium [p. 22]. 

Hinulia quoyii Gray, 1845 - Cat. Spec. Lizards in Coll. Brit. Mus., [p. 70]. 

Hinulia gastrosticta Günther, 1875 - Reptiles. Saurians Austr. New Zealand. In: 

Zoology…Erebus and Terror. Vol. 2. [p.11]. Type data: Syntypes BMNH 1946.8.15.34-35, 

BMNH 1946.8.15.36, BMNH 1946.8.4.99. Lectotype designated by Wells and Wellington 

(1985)-BMNH 1946.8.15.34 (from Queensland). Type Locality: Qld, Kangaroo Is., SA (in 

error). 

Lygosoma (Hinulia) quoyii Boulenger, 1887 - Cat. Lizards Brit. Mus., Volume 3 [p. 230]. 

Sphenomorphus quoyi Barbour, 1914 - Australasian Reptiles [p. 204]. 

Sphenomorphus quoyii quoyii Loveridge, 1934 - Aust. Rept. Mus. Comp. Zool., Cambridge [p. 

349]. 

Lygosoma (Sphenomorphus) quoyi Smith, 1937 - Review of Lygosoma [p. 220]. 

Sphenomorphus quoyii Dale, 1973 - Forty Qld Lizards [p. 16-18] 

Sphenomorphus quoyii Swanson, 1976 - Lizards of Australia [p. 26, pl. 48] 

Sphenomorphus quoyii Cogger, Cameron and Cogger, 1983 - Zool. Cat. Austr. 1. Amph. 

Rept. 

Eulamprus gastrostictus Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 93]. 

Eulamprus quoyii Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 1985]. 

Sphenomorphus quoyii Frauca, 1991 - What Animal is That? 3 rd Ed. [p. 167] 

Eulamprus quoyii Wellington and Wells, 1990 – Rept.Amph.Longneck Lagoon.[Pp. 1-17] 

Eulamprus quoyii Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 249] 

Eulamprus quoyii Griffiths, 1996 - Australia's Reptiles and Frogs [p. 48] 

Eulamprus quoyii Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 487] 

Eulamprus quoyii Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 220- 

221] 

Eulamprus quoyii Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 151] 

Eulamprus quoyii Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.125] 

Eulamprus quoyii Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 170] 

Eulamprus quoyii Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 236-237] 

Eulamprus quoyii Wilson and Swan, 2009 - What Lizard is That? [p. 34] 

Description: One of Australia's most often observed, but poorly known species, the Eastern 

Water Skink is a commonly observed lizard of stream-sides and foreshores. Although rather 

gracile in general proportions, it is nevertheless a medium-sized and a rather robust skink in 

maturity. It has a long fragile tail that is laterally compressed distally, long, well-developed 

limbs and a narrower head than its congenors. The base body colour may be a greenisholive-brown, 

bronze, golden-brown or coppery-red dorsally, and like other species of 

Eulamprus, E. quoyii always lacks the prominent black vertebral stripe of Costinisauria 

species. Usually, females are mostly unpatterned over the dorsum, and males usually 

speckled, flecked or blotched with black. When there are scattered black flecks over the 

dorsum, the flecking may be concentrated along the vertebral line in some specimens, or 

along the laterodorsal margin of the body in others, and these black markings can be moreor-less 

longitudinally-aligned, but never as bold stripes as in Costinisauria species; some 

specimens of E. quoyii may be very heavily flecked and blotched with black over the head 

13


and back and base of the tail as in the south-coastal NSW population. There is always a thin 

creamish, golden or pale yellowish dorsolateral stripe that runs from just above and behind 

the eye, along the nape (where it may be dark-edged along the upper edge), and along most 

of the body, but this stripe is most intense on the anterior of the body. This species only rarely 

possesses an obscure pale streak that extends from behind the eye to above the ear 

opening. The upper lateral zone of the body is usually black with scattered pale yellow or 

creamish speckles or spots that may have an irregular vertical alignment to them. However, 

some populations may have the upper lateral zone brownish rather than black. The lower 

lateral zone is creamish or creamish-yellow with dense black flecking which may form a 

darker variegated pattern posteriorly, and a finer, darker peppering pattern anteriorly. The 

upper parts of the limbs are the same colour as the dorsum, but with black flecks and small 

blotches, and the side of the original tail may be heavily speckled with black; regenerated tails 

are plain brown. Ventrally, whitish to creamish or creamish-yellow, with the throat, chin and 

infralabials finely flecked with blackish or dark bluish, and sometimes with a series of thin 

blackish or greyish lines formed from fine dotting under the throat, chest and venter. Some 

significant features of this species morphology are: body scales smooth in sub adult and 

mature specimens, but distinctly keeled in neonates, and in 36-44 rows at mid-body; 

paravertebrals similar in size or barely larger than adjacent dorsal scales, and numbering 74- 

88; prefrontals usually in broad contact; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; 

interparietal about 1.5 times longer than wide, and never separating parietals; supraoculars 4; 

mature specimens have the upper secondary temporals separated across the nape by four or 

five variable, obliquely aligned scales which contact the posterior margins of the parietals 

(usually comprised of 1-3 nuchals, plus the upper secondary temporals); supranasals usually 

absent; nasals separated; supralabials 7-8 (usually 7) (with 5 th or 6 th subocular); infralabials 7- 

10, with postmental in contact with first two or three infralabials on each side; lower eyelid 

movable and scaly; supraciliaries 9-12; ear-opening present and conspicuous (larger than 

nasal scale); no anterior ear lobules; well-developed pentadactyl limbs that strongly overlap 

when adpressed; hind limbs much longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; 

base of 4th toe broad, with most lamellae with a median groove, and divided basally; 24-34 

subdigital lamellae (smooth) beneath 4th toe. Premaxillary teeth 7-9 (usually 9); Attains a 

maximum total length of around 350 mm., and a snout-vent length of about 140 mm, although 

most mature specimens would be slightly smaller, at around 280-300 mm in total length, and 

a SVL of around 100-120mm. Although females and males have similar snout-vent lengths, 

females tend to have larger body lengths. Variation in morphology suggests that this species 

is composite. There appears to be a taxonomically distinct population in the Mt Lofty Ranges 

of South Australia. An undescribed member of this species has also been known from mideastern 

and northern Queensland for nearly 50 years. A proposed Holotype (labelled as such) 

was even deposited in the Australian Museum by Eric Worrell, but his description was never 

published, I have examined this specimen and I am convinced that it is indeed a separate 

species quite distinct from quoyii. I have decided however to refrain from formally naming this 

species as Dr Glenn Shea has informed me that he is currently in the process of revising the 

Eulamprus quoyii complex. It is possible that Hinulia gastrosticta Günther, 1875 is applicable 

to one of these distinctive Queensland populations, and Wells and Wellington (1984) 

resurrected that species on the basis of the original description. However, I note also that 

Hutchinson and Rawlinson (1995) resynonymised Eulamprus gastrostictus with quoyii due to 

insufficient evidence that its earlier resurrection by Wells and Wellington was warranted. 

Although I have observed that “Eulamprus quoyii” exhibits quite distinct morphological 

differences in Queensland to that present in topotypic specimens from Sydney (the Type 

Locality of quoyii), I am now aware that there are at least two, possibly three distinct ‘forms’ of 

quoyii in Queensland. As the Type Locality of Hinulia gastrosticta Gunther, 1875 was given 

merely as ‘Queensland’, it is premature to assign this name to this or any other population in 

Queensland without examining the Holotype in the British Museum - which I am unable to do. 

The impending revision by Glenn Shea of the quoyii complex will hopefully resolve whether or 

not Hinulia gastrosticta is a valid taxon from Queensland, so I have accepted the decision of 

Hutchinson and Rawlinson and refrain from using the name further until the matter is resolved 

by Shea. 

Distribution: As currently defined, this species occurs over a large part of eastern Australia, 

ranging from about Cairns in north-eastern Queensland, south to the mid-south coast of New 

South Wales (including parts of the coastal section of the Australian Capital Territory at Jervis 

Bay), parts of the Murray-Darling River Basin of north-western and western NSW, north- 

14


western Victoria and along the Murray River in South Australia; an isolated population also 

occurs in the Mt Lofty Ranges in south-eastern South Australia where it lives in association 

with the Torrens, Sturt and Onkaparinga Rivers. 

Habitat: It utilises a variety of coastal or near coastal vegetation communities (usually 

riparian), ranging from rainforest, wet or dry sclerophyll forest, open woodland, and essentially 

prefers the margins of melaleuca swamps, marshes, freshwater creeks, rivers, billabongs, 

and soaks. Also occurs along rocky ridges and cliff-lines in various open coastal woodland 

and sclerophyll forest communities. It can also be found quite close to the littoral and intertidal 

zones at some coastal locations, but usually where this occurs there is a freshwater stream or 

soak present. This species also extends well into the semi-arid interior along relatively 

permanent tributaries of the Darling River, principally the MacIntyre and Namoi Rivers, as well 

as the Murray River, but nowhere is the species as common here as it is on the coast. In the 

more developed coastal areas, it is successful at colonising or adapting to disturbed or 

regenerating environments such as farmland, polluted water courses, even urban concrete 

canals and drains in heavily urbanized and industrial areas of cities. In such disturbed 

situations, such as agricultural or urban environments, this species may persist in large 

numbers along heavily polluted watercourse with fringing vegetation that has been replaced 

by dense weedy infestation, such as lantana, Crofton weed, blackberry and privet. 

Biology/Ecology: Essentially a diurnal, terrestrial and semi-aquatic species that lives along the 

verges of permanent or semi-permanent watercourses, from sea-level to about 400 metres 

altitude. Often individuals may be found in areas distant from obvious water, but even in such 

situations, there is usually a non-perennial stream bed in the vicinity, or some sort of other 

body of standing water, such as a temporary soak, farm dam, or the area has moist 

microhabitat refuges like a rocky ridge or outcrop, or the area is well-vegetated. Basking sites 

are often logs or rocks, under which they retreat when disturbed, often into self-constructed 

burrow-like cavities. They will also utilise other animal’s burrows to escape predators, but the 

main escape strategy adopted to avoid predation is by rapidly running over land to shelter 

sites. They will dive into water if retreat over land is not an option, and when entering the 

water, they usually swim vigorously on the surface vegetation near shore, or dive underwater 

where they can remain for up to 10 minutes or so before surfacing. After leaving the water, 

specimens will immediately seek out a suitable basking site so as to rapidly recover the 

energy loss associated with swimming. Other shelter sites are hollow logs, rock crevices, soil 

cavities of exposed tree roots along the edges of watercourses, piles of flood debris, earth 

cracks and the burrows of other animals. In disturbed situations this species may be found 

sheltering in expansion grooves and drainage holes of concrete canals, along stone retaining 

walls of highways, beneath discarded rubbish lying on the ground - like old boards, sheets of 

corrugated iron, plastic, fibro, discarded garden wastes and the like. It has been observed that 

fairly large colonies of this species can be found where the outlets of stormwater pipes 

discharge into streams. This is an intelligent, highly active and common species that lives in 

small social groups at preferred sites. Adult males can engage in aggressive fights will each 

other, and on occasions will emit a high pitched squeak when fighting or when handled. The 

Eastern Water Skink is a viviparous species, with sexual maturity in females being reached at 

about 85-90 mm SVL, and age 3-4 in southern populations, but at year 2 in populations from 

North Queensland. Mating occurs in Spring and the young are born several weeks later in 

January-February (late Summer) in the southern part of its range. However specimens in the 

tropical part of its range in north Queensland, give birth during the Wet Season in December. 

Up to 10 live young (usually about 4-7) have been reported in a brood, but 3-4 is more usual 

in average-sized adults, and around 5-7 for larger females. However, although larger females 

across the species’ range generally tend to have larger litters, North Queensland populations 

have a higher number of smaller offspring in a brood than do the southern populations, which 

tend to have a smaller number of larger offspring. In diet, the Eastern Water Skink is generally 

an opportunistic omnivore, although it feeds mainly on small invertebrates which are actively 

hunted both on land and in water, On occasions small fruiting bodies of some plants are 

eaten, and even small vertebrates - mainly lizards, but also frogs (tadpoles and 

metamorphlings) are hunted as well, and large specimens have been known to eat small 

mammals (baby mice) in captivity. Known predators are mainly snakes such as Pseudechis 

porphyriacus, Notechis scutatus, Pseudonaja textilis, Cryptophis nigrescens and in coastal 

areas of eastern NSW - Acanthophis antarcticus. It is believed that several species of birds 

also prey on this species. Eastern Water Skinks are known to harbor a range of 

endoparasites, specifically pleurocercoids of skin worms, as well as other cestodes and 

15


nematodes. It is known that acanthocephalans are more prevalent in mature water skinks 

than juveniles. 



Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995). Protected under the Victorian Wildlife Act 

(1975) but not listed in Schedule 2 of the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988) [or 

the Threatened Fauna Act (1995)]. Also protected under the Qld Nature Conservation Act 

(1992) [see also the Qld Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)], the ACT 

Nature Conservation Act (1980) and the SA National Parks and Wildlife Act (1972). Regarded 

by some as a species of 'Lower Risk - Near Threatened' in Victoria, but usually common 

elsewhere. 

Etymology: The name 'quoyii' honours the French naturalist Jean René Constant Quoy [Born 

10 November, 1790-died 4 July, 1869] who served as naturalist aboard La Coquille under 

Louis Isidore Duperrey during its circumnavigation of the globe (1822-1825), and the 

Astrolabe (1826-1829) under the command of Jules Dumont d'Urville. 

Eulamprus tympanum (Lonnberg and Andersson, 1913) 

Lygosoma tympanum Lönnberg, E. and Andersson, L.G. (1913). Results of Dr. E. Mjöberg's 

Swedish Scientific Expeditions to Australia 1910-1913. III. Reptiles. K. Sven. Vetensk.-Akad. 

Handl. 52(3): 1-173 [9]. Type data: Holotype NHRM 3094. Type Locality: '… said to have 

been collected in the neighbourhood of Melbourne ', Victoria. 

Sphenomorphus quoyii tympanum Loveridge, 1934 - Aust. Rept. Mus. Comp. Zool., 


Sphenomorphus tympanus Mittleman, 1952 - Generic Synop.Lygosominae [p. 31] 

Sphenomorphus tympanum (part) Worrell, 1963 - Rept. Austr. [p. 53] 

Sphenomorphus tympanum Cool Temperate Form Rawlinson, 1969 - Rept. East Gippsland. 

Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict., 82: 113-128 [p. 119] 

Sphenomorphus tympanum Cool Temperate Form Jenkins and Bartell, 1980 - Rept. Austr. 

High Country [Pp. 187-188] 

Sphenomorphus tympanum Cogger, Cameron and Cogger, 1983 - Zool. Cat. Austr. 1. Amph. 

Rept. 

Eulamprus tympanum Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 94]. 

Eulamprus tympanum Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 1985]. 

Eulamprus tympanum Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 250] 

Eulamprus tympanum Griffiths, 1996 - Australia's Reptiles and Frogs [p. 48] 

Eulamprus tympanum Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 489] 

Eulamprus tympanum tympanum Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Eulamprus tympanum Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 154] 

Eulamprus tympanum Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 238-239] 

Description: This is another common lizard of streams and forests in the cooler more elevated 

areas of Australia’s south-east. It is a medium-sized skink, with a distinctly broader head than 

other members of the genus Eulamprus, and a moderately long fragile tail that is slightly less 

compressed distally than in other Eulamprus. The base body colour may be bronze, copperybrown, 

or olive-brown dorsally. The dorsum is usually plain or immaculate - generally lacking 

black markings or blotches, although in some areas, some specimens may be heavily 

speckled, or flecked with black, the black scales being more-or-less longitudinally-aligned. 

The top of the head has variable black markings on a bronze-green or dark coppery brown 

base - particularly over the supraoculars, but these black markings are usually far less intense 

than in Eulamprus heatwolei. There is no trace of the pale dorsolateral line of its congenors, 

however, there is usually a short thin pale creamish streak that runs from just above and 

behind the eye, along the nape, to just above the forelimb; in some specimens it is so thin or 

obscure as to be barely noticeable. There is a broad dark upper lateral zone that extends 

from behind the eye and along the body to the groin. This zone is usually black and contains 

scattered pale yellow or creamish speckles or spots that may have an irregular vertical 

alignment to them; the pale spotting becomes denser on the lower flanks. In some specimens 

the lower lateral zone is creamish or whitish often with a greenish suffusion, and with dense 

16


black flecking which may be transversely-aligned. The upper parts of the limbs are the same 

colour as the dorsum, but with black flecks and a reticulated pattern of small blotches, and the 

original tail can be heavily speckled with black laterally, but less so dorsally; regenerated tails 

are plain brown. The sides of the head can be almost totally black, or the same brown as the 

dorsum with a pattern of dense black blotching. There is usually a white stripe that runs over 

the infralabials and under the ear opening to about the forelimb, and a pale streak or a line of 

pale spots that runs from behind the eye to above the ear. Ventrally, immaculate whitish to 

creamish, or pale lemon yellow, occasionally with lines of fine dark flecking or smudging; the 

throat is usually immaculate creamish-white, or finely spotted with black or with a greyish 

suffusion, but occasionally marked with wide black streaks on grey; the chin shields are white, 

and are usually edged with black. Some significant features of this species morphology are: 

body scales smooth in adults and sub adults, but keeled in neonates, 34-44 at mid-body; 

head shields regular, not fragmented; paravertebral scales 68-89, about the same size as, or 

only slightly broader than adjacent dorsals; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; 

prefrontals usually in point contact, but sometimes barely separated; interparietal elongate, 

about twice as long as wide, and usually not separating parietals; mature specimens have the 

upper secondary temporals separated across the nape by four or five variable, obliquely 

aligned scales which contact the posterior margins of the parietals (usually comprised of 1-3 

nuchals, plus the upper secondary temporals); supraoculars 4; supranasals absent; nasals 

separated; supralabials 6-9 (usually 7), with the 4 th , 5 th , or 6 th subocular; infralabials 6-9 

(usually 7), with postmental in contact with first two infralabials on each side; lower eyelid 

movable and scaly; supraciliaries 8-10; ear-opening present and conspicuous (larger than 

nasal scale); no anterior ear lobules; well-developed pentadactyl limbs that overlap when 

adpressed; hind limbs much longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 

4th toe broad, and most lamellae with a median groove, and mostly divided; 18-29 subdigital 

lamellae beneath 4th toe. Premaxillary teeth 8-9 (usually 8). Attains a maximum total length of 

around 240 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 90 mm. Although not reaching the larger 

overall length of Eulamprus heatwolei, E. tympanum tends to be a heavier and more robust 

species. Variation in morphology suggests that this species may be composite. Specimens 

from the isolated population in the Otway Ranges, Victoria differ from topotypic E. tympanum 

in having distinctly larger body scales, longer tails, black throats and a bright yellow ventral 

surface with intense black lines and this could indicate that this population may warrant 

separate taxonomic recognition. 

Distribution: As presently defined, occurs as a number of isolated populations across southeastern 

Australia, ranging from the Blue Mountains on the Great Dividing Range of mideastern 

New South Wales, through the southern tablelands (including parts of the Australian 

Capital Territory), and into north-eastern and southern Victoria and south-eastern South 

Australia. It also occurs on a number of Victorian islands, including the Seal Island Group, 

and Glennie Island. 

Habitat: Inhabits cool temperate montane woodland and sclerophyll forest with a dense 

ground cover of tussock grass and heath, up to the alpine zone. Usually found in association 

with rock outcroppings and fallen timber along heavily shaded permanent but small 

freshwater streams, and throughout sclerophyll forests and woodlands in situations well away 

from any water courses. 

Biology/Ecology: An abundant, diurnal, terrestrial and semi-aquatic species that lives both 

along the permanent watercourses in alpine or cool temperate areas, as well as in heavily 

forested mountain ranges. This species is heliothermic, and has widely variable activity period 

during the year depending upon the latitude and altitude of the populations. At their higher 

altitudes (around 1000 to 1500 metres) such as in the Snowy Mountains and the Blue 

Mountains, this species may be only active for about 6 months of the year, while in the lower 

altitudes of coastal Victoria (around 500 m.), activity periods lasting around 9 months are 

more usual. Interestingly, females at higher elevations tend to reach a larger size, despite the 

limited seasons for activity. This species may also be found in areas distant from obvious 

water regardless of altitude, but usually the habitat has moist microhabitat refuges such as 

rocky ridges or outcrops, or the area is shady, well-vegetated and damp. This species 

generally prefers less exposed, more sheltered and noticeably cooler positions along 

streams. Females are more often detected fairly close to shelter or basking sites like logs or 

rock piles, while males tend to range more widely through the habitat being observed actively 

foraging amongst patchy vegetation some metres from retreat sites. Pregnant females 

generally allow a closer approach by a potential predator than males, and this is probably 

17


because of the close proximity to a retreat site. Males and non-gravid females however are 

far more wary, generally fleeing upon even the slightest disturbance. A critical flight distance 

of around 1.5 to 3 metres is usually the case (the distance the lizard will allow a potential 

predator to approach before fleeing), however 5 to 10 metres is more the case. This is 

probably why males are usually under-represented in surveys of this and other Eulamprus or 

Costinisauria studies - they are long gone before most ecologists check suitable sites ! Males 

are also territorial and will actively pursue and fight with other intruding males. Juveniles tend 

to be very wary of adults indicating that some predation may occur - at least unintentionally on 

juveniles. When disturbed by a potential predator, juveniles will also raise slowly their tail, or 

when pressed, in a slow rhythmic waving or wriggle - even as they are running to shelter, and 

this distractive behaviour is doubtless a strategy to divert the attention of an attack to the most 

expendable part of the lizard. Tail autotomy in the species is fairly common in adults as well, 

and it is apparent that this species and presumably other Eulamprus invest a considerable 

amount of energy in the tail as a fat store to allow for protracted periods of inactivity during the 

colder months. While the loss of part of the tail by dismemberment would have longer term 

survival risks, say during droughts or long periods of winter inactivity, most tail loss is confined 

to the distal two-thirds, where only about 25% of the fat store occurs; the basal third of the tail 

contains about 75% of the fat reserves, and this part is rarely subjected to autotomy. Basking 

sites are often logs or rocks, under which they retreat when disturbed; other shelter sites 

utilised are hollow logs, and rock crevices. Overwintering sites are usually under large rocks 

or inside rotting logs, where several individuals may aggregate for the winter. While most will 

seek immediate shelter upon disturbance if it is in close proximity, the usual reaction is to run 

several metres over land to cover of some sort. Both adults and juveniles will enter water to 

escape, but juveniles do so reluctantly. Adults will dive under and remain submerged for a few 

minutes, or swim vigorously to a protruding rock or log in the creek where they will resume 

basking if safe to do so. A viviparous species, with mating occurring in early or late Spring 

depending on location, and gestation taking around three months. Up to 8 live young are 

produced in a brood (usually 3-4) from mid-summer to around the end of summer (January- 

February). The development of the young is significantly affected by the gestational 

temperatures. When basking females are exposed to excessively high basking temperatures, 

more males are produced in the litter than females (at 32C 100% of the litter will be male). 

Believed to live in excess of 10 years. It feeds mainly on a wide range of small invertebrates, 

but will also eat small lizards, tadpoles and metamorphling frogs, as well as a small amount of 

plant matter. Known predators are Copperheads (Austrelaps superbus), Kookaburras, feral 

cats and trout. 



Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995). Also protected under the SA National Parks 

and Wildlife Act (1972), the ACT Nature Conservation Act (1980) and the Victorian Wildlife 

Act (1975) [but not listed in Schedule 2 of the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 

(1988) [or the Threatened Fauna Act (1995)]]. Regarded as common. 

Etymology: The name 'tympanum' refers to the large exposed ear opening of the species. 

Costinisauria Wells and Wellington, 1985 

Costinisauria Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. - Aust. J. Herp. Suppl. 

Ser. 1: 1-61 [p.26]. Type Species: Lygosoma (Hinulia) quoyi kosciuskoi Kinghorn, 1932 by 

original designation. 

Diagnosis: As presently defined, a genus of moderate-sized Australian Scincid lizards, most 

closely related to the genus Eulamprus, and readily separated from this genus, all other 

genera by the following combination of characters: head shape blunt and deep, and distinctly 

rounded in profile (vs head shape deep with distinctly pointed snout in profile in Eulamprus); 

body scales smooth in 28-40 rows at mid-body; paravertebrals 53-65; parietals mostly in 

contact (but not in contact behind the interparietal in the case of C. leuraensis); interparietal 

elongate; nasals separated; frontonasal in contact with rostral; prefrontals not in contact, or 

contacting; frontal and frontoparietals separated by a small postfrontal; frontal elongate and in 

contact with first 3 supraoculars; supraoculars 4 (2nd the largest); frontoparietals divided and 

in contact with 3rd and 4th supraoculars; supranasals absent; supralabials 7; infralabials 6-8; 

lower eyelid movable and scaly; supraciliaries 7-9; mature specimens of the included species 

have only two or three much enlarged scales contacting the posterior margin of the parietals, 

18


resulting from a transversely enlarged nuchal and one or two large scales between the nuchal 

and the upper temporal (vs the genus Eulamprus, where mature specimens have the upper 

secondary temporals separated across the nape by four or five variable, obliquely aligned 

scales which contact the posterior margins of the parietals); ear-opening present and 

conspicuous (larger than nasal scale); no anterior ear lobules; postmental contacts first two 

infralabials on each side (vs postmental contacts only first infralabial on each side in Karma 

gen. nov.); 3 rd pair of chin shields fragmented and separated by 5 rows of smaller scales (vs 

3 rd pair of enlarged chin shields separated by 3 rows of smaller scales in Concinnia); preanal 

scales enlarged; relatively small pentadactyl limbs that slightly overlap when adpressed (vs 

well-developed, and strongly overlapping limbs in Eulamprus); hind limbs only slightly longer 

than forelimbs (vs hind limbs much longer than forelimbs in Eulamprus); 4th toe much longer 

than the 3rd; base of 4th toe broad, with most lamellae divided and moderately grooved (vs 

subdigital lamellae smooth in Concinnia and Karma gen. nov.); 20-24 subdigital lamellae 

beneath 4th toe. Moderate-sized species attaining a maximum total length of around 140- 

180mm. and a snout-vent length of about 60-80mm. All species possess, in varying degrees, 

a prominent black vertebral stripe and thin dark-edged laterodorsal stripes, pattern features 

which are entirely absent in the genus Eulamprus. Viviparous. 

Etymology: ‘Costinisauria’ recalls the Australian ecologist, Dr Alec Baillie Costin, born 30 

September 1925 at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia - a world renowned authority on 

alpine ecosystems. 

Content: Costinisauria couperi sp. nov.; Costinisauria kosciuskoi (Kinghorn, 1932); 

Costinisauria leuraensis (Wells and Wellington, 1984); and Costinisauria worrelli Wells and 

Wellington, 1985. 

Costinisauria couperi sp. nov. 

Type Data: Holotype: Australian Museum R96836 from Waratah Swamp, Gibraltar Range 

National Park, New South Wales (Latitude 29 30’ S., X Longitude 152 19’ E.). Paratype: 

Australian Museum R96837 - same data as Holotype. 

Diagnosis: A moderate-sized lizard of the Family Scincidae from eastern Australia, part of the 

Costinisauria kosciuskoi complex and readily separated by the following combination of 

characters: dorsal body scales smooth, 32-38 at mid-body (counted longitudinally between 

axilla and groin) (in C. worrelli there are slightly more dorsal body scales - range 35-40, in C. 

kosciuskoi there are less - range 31-37, and in C. leuraensis the dorsal scales are the lowest 

in number of all Costinisauria species at 28-32); paravertebrals 58-70 (in C. worrelli there are 

slightly more paravertebral scales - range 61-72, in C. kosciuskoi and C. leuraensis there are 

less paravertebrals - range 51-63); parietals always in contact behind interparietal (in C. 

leuraensis the parietals are always separated, in C. worrelli the parietals are separated in 

about 50% of specimens, and in C. kosciuskoi the parietals are separated in about 60% of 

specimens); interparietal elongate; frontonasal in contact with rostral; prefrontals not in 

contact; frontal elongate and in contact with first 3 supraoculars; supraoculars 4 (2nd the 

largest); frontoparietals divided and in contact with 3rd and 4th supraoculars; supranasals 

absent; nasals separated; supralabials 7; infralabials 6; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 

supraciliaries 7; ear-opening present and conspicuous (larger than nasal scale); no anterior 

ear lobules; postmental contacts first two infralabials on each side; preanal scales enlarged; 

well-developed pentadactyl limbs that overlap slightly when adpressed; hind limbs slightly 

longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 4th toe broad, with most 

lamellae divided; 20-26 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe (similar to the condition in C. 

leuraensis, C. worrelli and C. kosciuskoi. Usually slightly larger in length on average than 

other Costinisauria species, but attains a similar maximum snout-vent length of about 80 mm. 

Distribution: Confined to several isolated areas of swampland on the New England Plateau of 

eastern New South Wales and adjacent areas around Stanthorpe in southern Queensland. 

Habitat: Inhabits dense sedge swamps associated with the verges of small water courses in 

montane open heath and woodland. Most retreat sites comprise rotting logs on the ground, 

which are also used as basking sites. 

Biology/Ecology: A viviparous species that feeds on a range of invertebrates and occasionally 

on smaller skinks. 



Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995). Protected under the Qld Nature Conservation 

19


Act (1992) [see also the Qld Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)] [see also 

the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. Regarded as common, but 

populations are all isolated. Status unknown, but this species may be considered as 

potentially vulnerable at some locations due to its limited and fragmented or disjunct 

distribution as well as its specialised habitat requirements. Sites where this species has been 

detected are naturally isolated from one another by expansive areas of habitat regarded as 

unsuitable. This intervening habitat is usually drier woodland or cleared agricultural land. Most 

intervening woodland habitat is utilised by Eulamprus (cf) heatwolei - which tends to be not 

present in the boggy soaks preferred by C. couperi. Damage or alteration to the hydrology 

and ground vegetation of these small fragile wetlands and their environs could have serious 

consequences for the survival of this species. However, it is regarded as being relatively 

common within undisturbed areas of habitat. Areas of habitat that are subject to disturbance 

by cattle and sheep grazing, or clearing are likely incompatible with this species’ 

requirements. 

Etymology: Named for Patrick Couper of the Queensland Museum in recognition of his 

contributions to Australian herpetology. 

Costinisauria kosciuskoi (Kinghorn, 1932) 

Lygosoma (Hinulia) quoyi kosciuskoi Kinghorn, 1932 - Rec. Aust. Mus. 18: 355-363 [p.359]. 

Type data: Holotype AM R4654. Type locality: Mt Kosciusko, 5,500 ft, New South Wales. 

Sphenomorphus quoyii tympanum (part) Loveridge, 1934- Aust. Rept. Mus. Comp. Zool., 


Sphenomorphus kosciuskoi Mittleman, 1952 - Generic Synop.Lygosominae [p. 26] 

Sphenomorphus kosciuskoi Jenkins and Bartell, 1980 - Rept. Austr. High Country [Pp. 184- 

186] 

Sphenomorphus kosciuskoi Cogger, Cameron and Cogger, 1983 - Zool. Cat. Austr. 1. Amph. 

Rept. 

Eulamprus kosciuskoi Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synop. Class Rept. Austr., Aust. J. Herp. 

1(3-4): 73-129 [1983 on title page, published March, 1984]. 

Costinisauria kosciuskoi Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 

Herp. Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 1985] 

Sphenomorphus kosciuskoi Shea and Peterson, 1985 - Proc. Linn. Soc. NSW, 108 (2): 141- 

148 [dated 1984, but not published until November, 1985] 

Eulamprus kosciuscoi Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 248] 

Eulamprus kosciuskoi Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 485] 

Eulamprus kosciuskoi Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 

218] 

Eulamprus kosciuskoi Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 147] 

Eulamprus kosciuskoi Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 234] 

Eulamprus koscuiskoi [errore typographicus] Wilson and Swan, 2009 - What Lizard is That? 

[p. 35] 

Description: A common skink of the wetter alpine meadows and bogs, this species has 

medium-sized robust body, and a moderately long fragile tail that is round in section. The 

base body colour is olive-brown or greenish-brown dorsally. There is a thin black vertebral 

stripe from the nape to the hips, a black laterodorsal stripe, and a creamish, yellowish or pale 

brownish dorsolateral stripe that runs from the neck and along the body to the hips; although 

in some specimens the dorsal stripes may not quite reach the hips. The upper lateral zone of 

the body is usually black and contains scattered pale creamish or yellowish speckles or spots 

that may have an irregular vertical and longitudinal alignment to them. The lower lateral zone 

is olive-grey with a more greenish tinge, or creamish or even creamish-yellow occasionally 

with black scales aligned to form short vertical barring or mottling. The upper parts of the 

limbs are the same colour as the dorsum, but with black flecks and small blotches, and the 

sides of the original tail are heavily speckled with black; regenerated tails are plain brown. 

The sides of the head are olive-brown, with black flecking, with the anterior supralabials, 

infralabials and snout tending to be somewhat paler. Ventrally, the lower flanks are creamishwhite 

to pale greenish-yellow, extending over the venter and with some scales finely flecked 

with black. Some significant features of this species morphology are: body scales smooth, 30- 

35 counted longitudinally at mid-body; paravertebrals 51-63; parietals usually separated (but 

20


in contact behind interparietal in about 40% of specimens); interparietal elongate, about twice 

as long as wide; nasals separated (frontonasal in contact with rostral); prefrontals usually not 

in contact; supraoculars 4 (2nd the largest); frontal elongate and in contact with first 3 

supraoculars; frontoparietals divided and in contact with 3rd and 4th supraoculars; 

supranasals absent; mature specimens have only two or three much enlarged scales 

contacting the posterior margin of the parietals, resulting from a transversely enlarged nuchal 

and one or two large scales between the nuchal and the upper temporal; supralabials 6-7 

(usually 7); infralabials 7-8 (usually 7); postmental contacts first two infralabials on each side; 

lower eyelid movable and scaly; supraciliaries 7-9; ear-opening present and conspicuous 

(larger than nasal scale); no anterior ear lobules; preanal scales enlarged; well-developed 

pentadactyl limbs that overlap slightly when adpressed; hind limbs slightly longer than 

forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 4th toe broad, with most lamellae with a 

median groove, and divided basally; 18-26 (average 22) subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe. 

Premaxillary teeth 8-9. Attains a maximum total length of around 150 mm. and a snout-vent 

length of about 80 mm (SVL range 54-81mm). Variation in this species morphology suggests 

that this species may be composite, with a possible taxonomically distinct population in the 

Brindabella Range, near Canberra. The population from Barrington Tops in NSW that is 

usually treated as kosciuskoi, has been previously described as a distinct species - see 

Costinisauria worrelli Wells and Wellington, 1985 and has been clearly shown to be 

morphologically distinct from topotypic kosciuskoi subsequently by the data provided by Shea 

and Peterson (1985). The New England Plateau population has been formally described in 

this paper as a new species (see Costinisauria couperi sp. nov.). 

Distribution: As presently defined, Costinisauria kosciuskoi is confined to the Snowy 

Mountains and associated ranges of southern New South Wales (including the Brindabella 

Ranges of the Australian Capital Territory), and just into northern Victoria. 

Habitat: Inhabits a range of alpine, sub-alpine or montane bogs and streams in tussock grass 

meadows and snow gum woodland, even beyond the tree-line at some sites. Although many 

sites where this species occurs are waterlogged treeless meadows or valleys at around 

1500m, the habitat occupied by this species can become rather dry during summer, at which 

time the species is most active fairly close to moister microhabitats. The habitat of this 

species is usually subjected to heavy snow cover for several months of the year, during which 

time the lizards remain in hibernation in earth burrows beneath logs and rocks. Most sites 

where this species occurs in Victoria are over 1200 metres above sea-level, but NSW it 

occurs in some locations in the Snowy Mountains that are nearly 2000 m. above sea level. 

Biology/Ecology: A diurnal and essentially terrestrial species usually found in damp but open 

situations fairly close to streams or moist sphagnum areas, either sheltering beneath logs and 

rocks or active amongst thick ground vegetation. It uses dead timber on the ground as 

basking sites, and will retreat into water to evade predators, or hide beneath vegetation or 

logs. Most shelter sites where this species has been detected are the remains of small dead 

trees laying on soil or rotting logs, although small rocks are also utilised. Adults excavate 

short burrows under deep sphagnum moss or beneath logs or rocks that are partly embedded 

in the soil. Here they hibernate for sometimes 6 to 8 months of the year buried by metres of 

snow. Adult males are highly territorial and readily defend favoured basking sites against rival 

males. A viviparous species, mating occurs around October (late Spring) and from 1 to 6 

relatively large, live young are produced in a brood during late summer (although 3 is more 

usual). It feeds mainly on small invertebrates such as spiders, beetles and grasshoppers, but 

will also eat small lizards as well, and has been recorded feeding on tiny fruiting bodies of 

herbaceous ground vegetation. 



Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995). Protected under the ACT Nature Conservation 

Act (1980), the Victorian Wildlife Act (1975) and listed as threatened in Schedule 2 of the 

Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988) [see also the Threatened Fauna Act (1995)]. 

Regarded by some herpetologists as critically endangered in Victoria. Status unknown, but 

this species may be considered as potentially vulnerable due to its limited and fragmented or 

disjunct distribution as well as its specialised habitat requirements. Many sites where this 

species has been detected are naturally isolated from one another by expansive areas of 

habitat regarded as unsuitable for kosciuskoi. This intervening habitat is usually drier heath 

and woodland that is utilised by Eulamprus tympanum - which tends to be only marginally 

present in the boggy soaks preferred by kosciuskoi. Damage or alteration to the hydrology 

21


and ground vegetation of these small fragile sphagnum bogs and their environs could have 

serious consequences for the survival of this species. However, it is regarded as being 

relatively common within undisturbed areas of habitat. Areas of habitat that are subject to 

disturbance by cattle and horse grazing, fire or recreational activities such trampling by skiing 

activities, or development activities such as roading, building, clearing are likely incompatible 

with this species’ long-term survival needs. 

Etymology: The name 'kosciuskoi' recalls the Type Locality of Mt Kosciusko, NSW. 

Note: The population from the New England region in NSW and southern Queensland 

previously regarded as conspecific with Costinisauria kosciuskoi is herein considered to be 

taxonomically distinct (see Costinisauria couperi sp. nov. this paper). 

Costinisauria leuraensis (Wells and Wellington, 1984) 

Eulamprus leuraensis Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synop. Class Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

1(3-4): 73-129 [93] [1983 on title page, published March, 1984]. Type data: Holotype AM 

R111988 (previously AMF28559). Type Locality: Leura, NSW [33º43'S 150º20'E]. 

Costinisauria leuraensis Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 

Herp. Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [p.27] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 

1985] 

Sphenomorphus leuraensis Shea and Peterson, 1985 - Proc. Linn. Soc. NSW, 108 (2): 141- 

148 [dated 1984, but not published until November, 1985] 

Eulamprus leuraensis Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 249] 

Costinisauria leuraensis Le Breton, 1990 - Australian Herpetologist, No 536: 1-3 

Costinisauria leuraensis Le Breton, 1992 - Sydney Basin Naturalist, 1: 101-103 

Eulamprus leuraensis Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 484-485] 

Eulamprus leuraensis Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 

218-219] 

Eulamprus leuraensis Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 148] 

Eulamprus leuraensis Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 234-235] 

Description: This is a medium-sized skink, with a moderately long fragile tail that is round in 

section. The base body colour is black dorsally, except that the head is dark brown with black 

variegations. The pattern on the back comprises a pair of narrow golden yellow paravertebral 

stripes or lines resulting in a prominent broad black vertebral stripe between them, and a thin 

golden yellow dorsolateral stripe on each side that extends from the neck, along the body to 

above the hind limbs. The pale dorsal stripes may be complete (usually) or broken, but 

always continue onto the basal part of the tail as irregular rows of paler spots. There are a few 

scattered paler scales over the back also in most specimens. Occasionally, heavily melanistic 

individuals are observed where the dorsal stripes are less distinct, however, the basic pattern 

is still apparent. The upper lateral zone is black with numerous yellowish spots or blotches 

that occasionally may merge to form small streaks. The spotting below the dorsolateral stripe 

is more-or-less in a longitudinal row and actually represents a fragmentation of a yellowish 

templar stripe. This line extends from just behind the eye, over the ear to just above the 

forelimbs where it fragments into the upper lateral row of spots. The lower lateral zone of the 

body is mottled with blackish and yellowish and this gradually merges with the upper lateral 

spotting at about the mid-lateral line. Overall, this gives the side of the body an appearance 

of fine yellow spotting on a black base. The upper parts of the limbs are black and are 

speckled with golden yellow or brownish, and the original tail is black and heavily speckled 

with yellow; regenerated tails are dark brown to black. The upper lateral of the head is the 

same as the top of the head - brownish (on the canthal to upper temporal region) with a 

pattern of dense black variegations. The supralabials are blackish with a pale yellow upper 

area which is approximately continuous with the yellowish templar stripe. The infralabials are 

greenish-white, changing posteriorly to a pale yellowish streak that continues irregularly 

posteriorly below the ear then along the lower part of the neck to the forelimb. Ventrally, 

museum specimens are greenish-white or pale yellow with dark brown speckling or flecks 

more or less aligned longitudinally; most specimens I have seen though are bright yellow 

ventrally with fine black flecking in life. Some significant features of this species morphology 

are: body scales smooth, 28-32 at mid-body (counted longitudinally between axilla and groin); 

paravertebrals 53; parietals entire (lacking fragmentation) and completely separated 

posteriorly by a narrow interparietal; prefrontals usually in broad contact; frontal small, 

22


elongate and widest anteriorly; frontal and paired frontoparietals separated by a small 

postfrontal; nuchals present and transversely enlarged; supraoculars 4, with 2 nd the largest 

and anterior 3 in contact with frontal; supranasals absent; nasals entire and separated by 

rostral and frontonasal contact; postnasals absent; supralabials 7; infralabials usually 8 (7-9); 

loreals 3; presuboculars 3; postsuboculars 4-6; lower eyelid movable and scaly; supraciliaries 

usually 10; primary temporal single; secondary temporals 2 (upper single and contacting 

parietal); ear-opening present and conspicuous (larger than nasal scale); no anterior ear 

lobules; first pair of chin shields in broad contact; single postmental contacts first two 

infralabials on each side; medial preanal scales enlarged; subcaudals 83-89; well-developed 

pentadactyl limbs that overlap slightly when adpressed; hind limbs much longer than 

forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 4th toe broad, with most lamellae divided 

basally, but entire and deeply grooved distally; 20-26 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe. 

There are 26 presacral vertebrae, 45-49 postsacral vertebrae, 8 premaxillary teeth, and the 

peritoneum is black (Shea and Peterson, 1985). Attains a maximum total length of around 

180 mm. and a maximum snout-vent length of about 80 mm (range 48 to 80 mm). Mature 

males usually have heads that are broader and deeper than those of similar sized females, 

although there appears to be no significant difference between the sexes in other characters. 

Distribution: Confined to a few scattered areas of hanging swampland on sandstone between 

Wentworth Falls and Newnes Plateau on the upper Blue Mountains Plateau, in the Sydney 

Geological Basin of eastern New South Wales. There have been reports of this species 

apparently persisting as small isolated populations at high elevations near Kanangra Boyd 

Plateau, and at much lower sites at Lawson, Bilpin and even down as far down as the 

Maddens Plains swamp near Helensburgh, NSW. I have inspected these areas, and although 

the species was not detected, the habitats are suspiciously similar to those occupied by 

leuraensis elsewhere, so field work in late Spring at these sites might reveal this species or a 

related species. 

Habitat: Inhabits dense sandstone heath and sedge swamps ('hanging swamps') along the 

verges of small upper tributaries of the Grose River (Blue Mountain Plateau) and Colo River 

(Newnes Plateau), as well as some upland streams that form part of the upper Warragamba 

catchment. 

Biology/Ecology: This species is poorly known ecologically and biologically. It is known to be 

viviparous, with mating occurring in late Spring - around October-November - and up to 3 live 

young being produced in a brood during late summer. It feeds mainly on small invertebrates 

such as spiders, beetles and cockroaches. This is also a secretive and diurnal species that 

forages in very sheltered positions in dense low vegetation over boggy ground. It basks on 

top of sedges and dense tussock grass during cloudy, humid conditions and will quickly dive 

under vegetative cover at the slightest disturbance, or into holes in the damp mud underneath 

the grasses. Specimens have also been seen to retreat into small yabbie burrows when 

approached. Most sites that are occupied by this species appear to be in a particular state of 

regeneration following fire (i.e. water-logged ground, abundant sedges and heath less than 

1.5 metres high and no large trees). Areas of swampy habitat that have not been burnt for 

many years tend to change to much drier soil conditions as larger plants occupy the area. In 

such places, as regeneration increases, the sedges well-away from the streams are replaced 

by heath and taller shrubs, then trees, resulting in the sedge component of the habitat being 

eventually fragmented to patches and finally confined to the extreme edges of streams. By 

the time the shrub layers are over 2 metres high and tree cover has started to become 

established previously suitable swampy areas appear to be far less suitable for this species, 

in effect becoming more suitable for Eulamprus heatwolei. It is possible that C. leuraensis 

then becomes restricted to the stream verges, where not only is the sedge habitat far smaller 

and therefore less likely to support a large population, but where competition from Eulamprus 

heatwolei becomes more pronounced. When these two species are forced into direct 

coexistence, it appears that C. leuraensis declines markedly. This could indicate that periodic 

controlled burning of this species habitat may be necessary for its continued survival. At one 

site in the Blue Mountains (Wentworth Falls Lake) C. leuraensis was a very common species 

for many years in the marshy soaks that surrounded a small stream that flowed into this 

artificial lake. However, it eventually became less common here following massive siltation of 

the swamp by sand that occurred following land-clearing for urban development on nearby 

ridges in the late 1970s. 

Survival Status: Federally, this taxon is classified as Schedule 1 (part 1) (Endangered) in the 

Australian Endangered Species Protection Act (1992). Protected under the New South Wales 

23


National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974) and listed in that State as a Threatened Species 

(Endangered) in Schedule 1 (part 1) of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 

(1995). Status unknown, but this species must be considered as endangered due to its limited 

distribution and specialised habitat requirements. 

Etymology: The name 'leuraensis' refers to the Type Locality of Leura, New South Wales. 

Costinisauria worrelli Wells and Wellington, 1985 

Costinisauria worrelli Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [27] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 1985]. 

Type data: Holotype AM R116968 (previously AMF 16777). Type Locality: Barrington Tops, 

NSW. [See Shea and Sadlier, 1999 - Tech. Rep. Aust. Mus. 15: 1-91 [p.59] where they 

invalidly synonymised this species with kosciuskoi]. 

Eulamprus kosciuscoi Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 248] 

Eulamprus kosciuskoi Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 483, 485] 

Eulamprus kosciuskoi Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 

218, plate on p. 219] 

Eulamprus kosciuskoi Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 147] 

Eulamprus kosciuskoi Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 234, pl. on 235] 

Description: The base body colour is olive-brown dorsally, but unlike its relative C. kosciuskoi, 

this species usually lacks the black vertebral stripe, and even the latero-dorsal stripes in some 

specimens. A creamish, yellowish or pale brownish dorsolateral stripe runs from the neck and 

along the body to the hips, but in some individuals this stripe may be very thin and rather 

obscure. The upper lateral zone of the body is usually black and contains scattered pale 

creamish or yellowish speckles or spots that may have an irregular vertical alignment to them. 

The lower lateral zone is olive-grey, creamish or creamish-yellow occasionally with black 

scales aligned to form short vertical barring. The upper parts of the limbs are the same colour 

as the dorsum, but with black flecks and small blotches, and the side of the original tail is 

heavily speckled with black; regenerated tails are plain brown. Lateral of head olive-brown, 

with black flecking. Ventrally, creamish to pale yellowish, with greyish or blackish flecking - 

particularly posteriorly and subcaudally. Some significant features of this species morphology 

are: body scales smooth in 36 rows at mid-body (generally lower than in C. kosciuskoi, but 

higher than in C. leuraensis); paravertebrals 65 (higher than in C. leuraensis); parietals in 

contact behind the interparietal (vs not in contact with C. leuraensis); interparietal elongate; 

frontonasal in contact with rostral; prefrontals not in contact; frontal elongate and in contact 

with first 3 supraoculars; supraoculars 4 (2nd the largest); frontoparietals divided and in 

contact with 3rd and 4th supraoculars; supranasals absent; nasals separated; supralabials 7; 

infralabials 6 (vs 8 in C. leuraensis); lower eyelid movable and scaly; supraciliaries 7; earopening 

present and conspicuous (larger than nasal scale); no anterior ear lobules; 

postmental contacts first two infralabials on each side; preanal scales enlarged; welldeveloped 

pentadactyl limbs that overlap when adpressed; hind limbs much longer than 

forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 4th toe broad, with most lamellae 

divided; 20-24 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe. Attains a maximum total length of around 

140 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 60 mm. 

Distribution: Known only from the northern tablelands of eastern New South Wales, ranging 

from about Barrington Tops in the south, to the Gibraltar Range in the north. An isolated 

population of this species also occurs in southern Queensland. 

Habitat: Inhabits open areas of montane woodland, and tussock grass meadows, often in 

association with small freshwater streams, marshes and boggy soaks; areas favoured may 

include granite outcroppings with abundant scattered logs and dense ground cover of grasses 

or sedges. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a diurnal and essentially terrestrial species that basks either on the 

top of grass tussocks, or logs on the ground, being usually encountered along stream flats 

and verges, or the margins of boggy soaks. When disturbed, it seeks shelter beneath logs, 

small rocks or under thick grass cover. Feeds mainly on small invertebrates, but will also eat 

small lizards as well. This species is viviparous, producing up to 5 live young in a brood 

during late summer. 



24


Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995). Also protected under the Qld Nature 

Conservation Act (1992) [see also the Qld Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act 

(1994)] [see also the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. Status unknown, 

but this species may be considered as potentially vulnerable in some parts of its range due to 

its fragmented distribution and specialised habitat requirements. It is, however, very common 

in most parts of its range. 

Etymology: The name 'worrelli' honours the late Australian herpetologist Eric Worrell. 

Concinnia Wells and Wellington, 1984 

Concinnia Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synop. Class Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 1(3-4): 73- 

129 [88] [1983 on title page]. Type Species: Tiliqua tenuis Gray, 1831 by original designation. 

Diagnosis: As presently defined, a genus of moderate-sized Australian Scincid lizards, most 

closely related to Eulamprus, Deloidiogenes, Karma gen. nov. and Edenia gen. nov., and 

readily separated by the following combination of characters: Body form slightly depressed, 

with well-developed fore and hind-limbs that overlap when adpressed; tail usually less than 

twice body length, tapering, and round to ovate in section; scales smooth and shiny, in 28-38 

rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 55-74; head scales unfragmented; parietals in contact 

behind the interparietal; frontoparietals distinct; prefrontals usually separated or in point 

contact (vs prefrontals in broad contact in Edenia gen. nov.); supranasals absent (vs 

supranasals present in Deloidiogenes); nasals separated; supraoculars 4 (first 2 contacting 

frontal); ear opening present and conspicuous, and larger than nasal scale; posterior ear 

lobules absent, but low anterior lobules present; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 7 

supralabials; tertiary temporals in contact with lower secondary temporal; upper secondary 

temporal scale overlaps lower (vs lower secondary temporal scale overlaps upper in Edenia 

gen. nov.); nuchals 0-10; postmental contacting two infralabials on each side (vs postmental 

contacts only first infralabial on each side in Karma gen.nov.); 3 rd pair of enlarged chin shields 

separated by only 3 rows of smaller scales (vs 3 rd pair of chin shields fragmented and 

separated by 5 rows of smaller scales in Eulamprus); limbs pentadactyl; hind limbs 

significantly longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 

4th toe smooth or bluntly keeled - 17-26, divided basally (vs subdigital lamellae with deep 

longitudinal grooves in Eulamprus); supradigital scales single basally, but in multiple rows 

distally; presacral vertebrae 26; premaxillary teeth 7-9. Ovoviviparous. 

Content: Concinnia brachysoma (Lonnberg and Andersson, 1915); Concinnia frerei (Greer, 

1992); Concinnia martini Wells and Wellington, 1985; Concinnia sokosoma (Greer, 1992); 

and Concinnia tenuis (Gray, 1831). 

Concinnia brachysoma (Lonnberg and Andersson, 1915) 

Lygosoma brachysoma Lönnberg and Andersson, 1915 - K. Sven. Vetensk.-Akad. Handl. 

52(7): 1-9 [5]. Type data: Holotype NHRM 3211. Type Locality: Atherton, Qld. 

Concinnia brachysoma Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synop. Class Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

1(3-4): 73-129 [p.88] 

Concinnia brachysoma Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. - Aust. J. 

Herp. Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [p. 26] 

Eulamprus brachysoma Greer, 1992 - Rec. Aust. Mus. 44(1): 7-19 [p.9-11]. 

Eulamprus tenuis brachysoma Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 488] 

Eulamprus brachysoma Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 755] 

Eulamprus brachysoma Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 

218-219] 

Eulamprus brachysoma Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [Pp.123-124] 

Eulamprus brachysoma Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 168] 

Eulamprus brachysoma Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 234-235] 

Description: The base body colour is rich bronze to coppery-brown or grey-brown dorsally, 

with extensive black blotching and flecks aligned more or less paravertebrally on the body, 

but not forming a dark midline streak on the nuchal area. Generally, some specimens may 

have a silvery look to the colour and pattern as they tend to be a somewhat paler reddishbrown 

than other species of Concinnia. The upper lateral of the body comprises a broad black 

or dark brown zone that extends from the temporal region of the head, along the neck and 

25


body to the groin; this creates a stripe-like effect, but as it is somewhat ragged-edged, and 

may in part be broken in places, a pattern of vertical barring or blotching may result - more so 

towards the hind quarters. The lower lateral is pale creamish-brown, with black flecking and a 

pale spotted effect may occur anteriorly towards the neck and infralabials - which are 

distinctly barred with black. The limbs are pale coppery-brown or greyish, with either dark 

greyish mottling or in some specimens heavily flecked and blotched with black; the palmer 

tubercles are very dark brown. The tail is faintly banded with numerous incomplete narrow 

black rings - which are sometimes broken on the upper lateral of the tail. The paravertebral 

blotching tends to coalesce over the hind limbs and the basal portion of the tail, forming a 

medial row of tiny black blotches that continues down the tail. Ventrally creamish to yellowish; 

the chin shields are edged with brown and the throat has a series of tiny dark flecks, which 

can extend onto the chest. Some significant features of this species' morphology are: body 

scales smooth and shiny, in 28-32 rows at midbody; transversely enlarged nuchals 2-10 

(usually 6); supraoculars 4; supralabials 7; nasals separated; prefrontals usually separated 

(rarely in point contact); subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe smooth to bluntly keeled, 17-23, 

and divided basally; upper secondary temporal scale overlaps lower; postmental in contact 

with first two infralabials on each side; ear-opening large and conspicuous and larger than 

nasal scale; limbs pentadactyl; fore and hind limbs well-developed, overlapping when 

adpressed; premaxillary teeth 8-9 (usually 9). Variation in morphology suggests that 

brachysoma may be composite. Reaches a maximum total length of around 175mm, with a 

snout-vent length of about 75mm. 

Distribution: Known only from eastern Queensland, from about Gayndah in the south-east, 

north to near Coen, on Cape York Peninsula. The range extends inland to the vicinity of 

Springsure. Also occurs on a number on continental islands off mid eastern Qld, from 

Hinchinbrook Island to the Percy Island Group. 

Habitat: Inhabits tropical to subtropical moist vine thickets, rainforests and woodlands, often 

associated with stream verges and rocky gullies. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a somewhat secretive, mostly arboreal or saxatile, species that tends 

to be more active in the morning or afternoon during cloudy humid weather, rather than during 

the hotter time of the day. Although a good climber of rocks, logs or trees, it may also be 

encountered on the ground actively foraging through litter in sheltered positions, or inside 

rotting logs, tree hollows, in rock crevices of outcrops or even under small rocks on soil where 

it may utilise small burrow-like depressions. It has also been found living in association with 

housing and other human structures in urban areas near bushland. It feeds only on small 

invertebrates, and is ovoviviparous, producing 2-5 young in late Summer in the south and the 

middle of the Wet Season in the far the north of the range; larger females produce larger 

litters. 

Survival Status: Protected under the Qld Nature Conservation Act (1992) [see also the Qld 

Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)] [see also the Nature Conservation 

(Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. Regarded as common. 

Etymology: The name 'brachysoma' means 'very short body' and refers to the shorter snoutvent 

length of this species. 

Concinnia frerei (Greer, 1992) 

Eulamprus frerei Greer, 1992 - Rec. Aust. Mus. 44(1): 7-19 [p.16-18]. Type data: Holotype 

QM J47985 . Type Locality: summit of Mount Bartle-Frere, Qld. 

Eulamprus frerei Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia 

Eulamprus frerei Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 218- 

219] 

Eulamprus frerei Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.124] 

Eulamprus frerei Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd Edition 

[p. 234-235] 

Description: The base body colour is a dark reddish-brown to greyish-brown over the dorsum 

with a pattern of small, blackish transversely aligned bars or cross-bands. The nuchal area 

lacks the dark midline streak of some other species of Concinnia. The side of the head and 

body is dominated by a dark pattern of black speckles, blotches and bars that collectively 

create a broad black zigzag pattern along the upper lateral zone, and a faintly to heavily 

speckled lower lateral; the base colour on the lateral of the body becomes progressively paler 

towards the ventrolateral margin, so the collective dark markings on a pale base create a 

26


highly disruptive pattern when this species is active on lichen covered boulders. The tail has a 

series of small blackish blotches along the sides, that may be separate to form transversely 

aligned banding over the tail (though faint on the dorsal surface) or coalesce to form an 

irregular line of blotching and speckling along almost the entire side of the tail. The ventral 

surface of the body is pale greenish, the lips are darkly barred, and the chin-shields edged 

with brown. The subdigital lamellae are pale brown, whereas the rest of the tenuis complex 

has very darkly pigmented subdigital lamellae. This northern member of the tenuis complex is 

immediately distinguished from most of its congenors by its temporal scale condition. In C. 

frerei the lower secondary temporal scale overlaps the upper, whereas in C. tenuis and all 

other except C. martini, the reverse condition occurs, where the upper secondary temporal 

scale overlaps the lower. Other significant features of this species’ morphology are: midbody 

scales in 32-35 rows; paravertebrals 69-74; nasals separated; prefrontals separated; 

supraoculars 4; supralabials usually 7; nuchals 6-7; supraciliaries 8; presuboculars 2; 

supralabials 7 (5 th subocular); postmental in contact with first two infralabials on each side; 

ear-opening conspicuous; limbs pentadactyl and well-developed, overlapping when 

adpressed; 4 th toe subdigital lamellae 24-27, smooth to bluntly keeled, and divided basally. It 

reaches a maximum length of only around 160mm (snout-vent length of around 65mm). 

Distribution: Known only from a small area in the vicinity of the summit of Mount Bartle-Frere, 

in north-eastern Queensland. 

Habitat: Inhabits cool, damp situations amongst lichen-covered granite boulders in a relatively 

small area of rock outcroppings with a vegetation cover of stunted heath, and mossy tropical 

rainforest. The habitat on this mountain summit is often heavily clouded, very windy and 

misty. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a small, semi-arboreal and saxatile skink that is rarely observed. 

Specimens have been located during daylight in both rock crevices and the cracks of logs. It 

feeds only on small invertebrates and presumably produces live young, but nothing has been 

recorded on its reproductive biology. 


Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)] [see also the Nature Conservation 

(Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)], and generally considered to be rare, given its very restricted 

distribution. 

Etymology: The name 'frerei' refers to the Type Locality of Mount Bartle Frere, Qld. 

Concinnia martini Wells and Wellington, 1985 

Concinnia martini Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [26]. Type data: Holotype AM R116966 (previously AMF 16452). Type 

Locality: 3.9 km S Urbenville, NSW. 

Eulamprus martini Greer, 1992 - Rec. Aust. Mus. 44(1): 7-19 [p.11-13]. 

Eulamprus martini Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 756-757 

Eulamprus martini Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 220- 

221] 

Eulamprus martini Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 149] 

Eulamprus martini Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [Pp.124-125] 

Eulamprus martini Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 236-237] 

Eulamprus martini Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 169] 

Description: This species has a more depressed and smaller body, and is overall a darker 

lizard than its congenor Concinnia tenuis. There is no dark midline streak on the nuchal area. 

The dorsal surface rich copper with a profusion of black flecking and irregular black blotches 

that are more or less longitudinally aligned paravertebrally, and on the tail as a median row of 

black blotches over the entire length; the upper lateral area of the body has a broad, raggededged 

black stripe that extends from about the eye, along the neck and body to the groin; the 

lateral of the tail has a series of transversely-aligned black bars or blotches that produce a 

broken banding effect to the entire tail; the lower lateral of the body is greyish with black 

flecking and brownish mottling; labials white to greyish with jagged black or dark brown 

barring; limbs greyish with black variegations and flecks; venter pale creamish-lemon, to 

yellow. The chin shields have brownish margins and the throat and occasionally chest area is 

finely flecked with dark brown. Some significant features of this species’ morphology are: 

body scales smooth and shiny, in 28-32 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 55-64; nasals 

27


separated; prefrontals usually separated, but rarely in point contact; supraoculars 4; 

supralabials 7; postmental contacts first two infralabials on each side; ear opening distinct and 

larger than nasal scale; nuchals 0-8 (usually about 5); subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 17- 

24, divided basally, and smooth to bluntly keeled; upper secondary temporal scale overlapped 

by lower. Attains a maximum total length of about 190 mm (although 175 mm would be a 

large specimen), and a snout-vent length of about 75mm (but 60mm SVL would be an 

average adult specimen). 

Distribution: Occurs along the coast and adjacent ranges of mid-eastern Queensland, from 

about the Rockhampton-Yepoon area, south to about Coffs Harbour in north-eastern New 

South Wales, extending inland to as far as the eastern parts of the New England Plateau, 

from Tenterfield to about Guyra. 

Habitat: Found mainly in montane wet sclerophyll forest, and ecotonal margins of various 

forest types. Readily adapts to human structures such as buildings on banana plantations, 

farms and semi-urban environments. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a crepuscular and secretive or shy species that prefers to bask in 

sheltered positions during cloudy humid days rather than in the open in hot sunshine 

conditions. A largely log-inhabiting species that lives on the lower parts of trees, rotting logs 

and stumps, but also amongst rocky outcrops. Feeds only on small invertebrates. 

Ovoviviparous, producing 2 to 6 (usually 3 or 4) young in a litter. 



Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995). It is regarded as common within its habitat. 

Also protected under the Qld Nature Conservation Act (1992) [see also the Qld Nature 

Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)] [see also the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) 

Regulation Act (1994)]. 

Etymology: The name 'martini' honours Australian naturalist Keith Martin, at the time a 

resident of Darwin, Northern Territory. 

Concinnia sokosoma (Greer, 1992) 

Eulamprus sokosoma Greer, 1992 - Rec. Aust. Mus. 44(1): 7-19 [p.15-16]. Type data: 

Holotype QM J27702. Type locality: Hencamp Creek, 5 km north, 1 km east of Rollingstone, 

Qld. 

Eulamprus sokosoma Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 757] 

Eulamprus sokosoma Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 

220-221] 

Eulamprus sokosoma Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [Pp.125-126] 

Eulamprus sokosoma Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 236-237] 

Description: A small, but robust-bodied member of the tenuis complex with a pale copperybrown 

head, and a series of pale narrow rings along the tail. The body colour varies from pale 

brownish or coppery to pale whitish cream, with black flecks and blotches over the dorsum, 

which tend to be longitudinally aligned along the paravertebral region. The nuchal area is 

usually without a dark midline streak. The upper lateral zone is generally dark brown or 

blackish, originating on the canthus, and extending along the neck and body to the base of 

the tail. This dark upper lateral area is usually more intense on the neck, but fades mid-body 

then darkens again posteriorly. The dark upper lateral is also ragged-edged above and below 

like most other tenuis complex members, but tends to break up into a series of broad black 

bars or blotches towards the hind part of the body. The lower lateral tends to be paler brown 

or greyish-brown, with dark brown flecking or spotting, which fades towards the ventrolateral 

margins. The ventral surfaces vary from lemon to yellowish, being unmarked except for a few 

dark flecks about the chest and throat; the chin-shields are edged with dark brown as are the 

labials. The palmer tubercles are very dark brown. Some distinctive features of this species’ 

morphology are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 32-38 rows at midbody; paravertebrals 59- 

72; prefrontals usually separated; supraoculars 4; supralabials 7; upper secondary temporal 

overlaps lower; 2-8 (usually 4) transversely enlarged nuchals; limbs pentadactyl, welldeveloped, 

and overlapping when adpressed; subdigital lamellae under 4 th toe 19-23, smooth 

to bluntly keeled, and divided basally; postmental contacts two infralabials on each side; earopening 

distinct, larger than nasal; presacral vertebrae 26; postsacral vertebrae 44; 

28


premaxillary teeth 9. Attains a maximum total length of around 150 mm. with a snout-vent 

length of about 70-80mm. in a large specimen. 

Distribution: Confined to central eastern coastal Queensland and hinterland of the Great 

Divide, ranging from the Townsville area to about Injune. 

Habitat: Known from a range of vegetation types with rock outcroppings in higher rainfall 

areas, but mostly those with mixed rainforest-vine forests along water courses and on east 

facing gullies. Also occurs in subtropical woodlands and seasonally dry rainforests. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a secretive, essentially arboreal and diurnal species that utilises both 

cracks of tree trunks but mainly rock crevices for retreat sites. It may also be somewhat 

crepuscular in habits, and generally avoids basking in direct sunshine, preferring the dappledlight 

conditions of thick vegetation and cloudy humid days for its activity periods. It generally 

prefers the cooler or moister parts of forests, and rocky ranges. Ovoviviparous, producing up 

to 4 young in a litter, probably during the early Wet Season, as gravid females have been 

collected in the late Dry Season. It feeds only on small invertebrates, and the only known 

predator is the water skink (Eulamprus quoyii). 


Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. 

Etymology: The name 'sokosoma' in effect, means ‘stout-body', and refers to the morphology 

of the species. 

Concinnia tenuis (Gray, 1831) 

Tiliqua tenuis Gray, 1831 - Synop. Spec. Class Rept. In: Griffith, Animal Kingdom…Vol. 9: 

481+110 pp. [p.71]. Type data: Holotype BMNH 1946.8.17.15. Type Locality: Australia. 

Lygosoma erucata Duméril and Bibron, 1839 - Erpétologie Générale… Vol. 5 viii 854 pp. 

[p.726]. Type data: Holotype MNHP 7035. Type Locality: Australia. 

Sphenomorphus tenuis Swanson, 1976 - Lizards of Australia [p. 25, pl. 47] 

Concinnia tenuis Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 88]. 

Concinnia tenuis Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [p. 26] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 

1985]. 

Concinnia tenuis Wellington and Wells, 1990 – Rept.Amph.Longneck Lagoon.[Pp. 1-17] 

Sphenomorphus tenuis Frauca, 1991 - What Animal is That? 3 rd Ed. [p. 167] 

Sphenomorphus tenuis Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 335] 

Eulamprus tenuis Greer, 1992 - Rec. Aust. Mus. 44(1): 7-19 [Pp.13-15]. 

Eulamprus tenuis tenuis Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 487-488] 

Eulamprus tenuis Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 222- 

223] 

Eulamprus tenuis Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 152] 

Eulamprus tenuis Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.126] 

Eulamprus tenuis Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 171] 

Eulamprus tenuis Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [Pp. 238-239] 

Eulamprus tenuis Wilson and Swan, 2009 - What Lizard is That? [p.37] 

Description: This is a small and somewhat depressed skink with a medium-length tapering tail 

that is rounded in cross-section. The base body colour is silvery greyish-brown over the head, 

body and tail, with the nuchal area usually possessing a dark brownish-black midline streak. 

Pattern comprises a series of blackish or dark brown speckles or blotches, usually arranged 

in a variegated pattern over the dorsum, particularly along the mid-dorsal area; the original tail 

has a series of thin, rough-edged transverse blackish bands over its entire length. The upper 

lateral zone of the body is blackish, and this extends from the head as a dark canthal streak 

that gradually broadens along the side of the head and neck, then along the body to the hind 

limbs. Within this dark upper lateral zone there are scattered paler intrusions which tend to 

create an irregular-edge to the darker area, and even break up the darker area into a few 

large blackish blotches or bars - and this is usually the state on the posterior of the body. The 

lower lateral zone is much paler, being mainly creamish, with heavy spotting or flecking of 

dark brown. The labials are pale, with dark brown barring, the limbs the same as the body - 

with dense blackish flecking and variegations, and the palmer surfaces dark brown. Ventrally 

creamish-yellow, with the throat and chest area flecked with brown and the chin shields 

edged with darker brown. Completely pale creamish-white specimens have occasionally been 

29


found living on large old Melaleuca trees (Paper-barks) isolated as small groves in rural lands 

of western Sydney. Some significant features of this species' morphology are: body scales 

smooth and shiny, in 26-34 rows at mid-body; paravertebrals 61-69; parietals in contact 

behind the interparietal; prefrontals usually separated or in point contact; supranasals absent; 

nasals separated; supraoculars 4; 0-4 (usually 2) transversely enlarged nuchals; upper 

secondary temporal overlaps lower; ear-opening present and conspicuous, and larger than 

nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 7 supralabials (usually; 

postmental contacting two infralabials on each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that 

overlap when adpressed; hind limbs significantly longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer 

than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe smooth or bluntly keeled - 19-27, and divided 

basally. Presacral vertebrae 26; premaxillary teeth 7-9 (usually 9). Attains a maximum total 

length of around 170 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 85 mm. 

Distribution: Known only from eastern Australia, from the Eungella region in central eastern 

Queensland, south through south-eastern Qld and along the New South Wales ranges and 

some coastal areas to about Bega (including the coastal part of the Australian Capital 

Territory around Jervis Bay). Extends well into parts of inland New South Wales as scattered 

isolated populations to as far west as the Warrumbungle Ranges. Also occurs on Holbourne 

Island and Lady Elliott Island off the coast of Qld. 

Habitat: In the temperate parts of its range, this species inhabits a range of woodland, dry and 

wet sclerophyll forest as well as rainforest habitats, rock outcrops, including various disturbed 

conditions, such as farmland, roadside verges and buildings of urban areas. In the northern 

subtropical part of the range, it inhabits more mesic densely forested conditions. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a both a diurnal or crepuscular species that is usually arboreal or 

rock-dwelling in habits, and may be found sheltering in cracks of tree trunks, under loose bark 

and in hollow limbs, of both dead and living trees. I have observed specimens active and 

basking 5-6 metres up on living tree branches and tree trunks with cracks and hollows. During 

hot summer weather it can become nocturnal in habitats (evening) and in urban areas it has 

been observed active at night on brick or concrete walls around outside lights preying on 

attracted insects. In natural habitats, it is usually found on the ground beneath or inside rotting 

logs, or in rock crevices along ridgelines. In the older urban environments it commonly 

inhabits cracks of brick or stone walls of buildings, walls and fences. Most basking occurs 

during the early morning or late afternoon during summer as the middle of the day is usually 

just too hot for this species. It tends to a rather shy or secretive species in behaviour, rapidly 

seeking shelter at even the slightest approach of a potential predator. Favoured conditions for 

activity are humid, cloudy days rather than bright sunshine, but during the early spring this 

species may be seen in the open for long periods during the day. Small groups of mature and 

juvenile specimens appear to occupy sites in close association with one another - such as on 

larger, old growth trees. Adults appear to fight with one another though, biting vigorously and 

twisting themselves over each other until one releases its grip. There appears to be some sort 

of social structure to these groups, but little else is known. During seasons of activity, the 

lizard’s constant use of hollow logs or tree cracks forms a secure retreat from most predators, 

however, the main over wintering sites (May-July) are inside the rotting interiors of hollow logs 

and tree trunks also, but during this period termite activity has been observed to on occasions 

permanently entomb the lizards while they hibernate. This species is ovoviviparous, giving 

birth to 3 to 7 young (usually 5 or 6) in a brood during early to late summer depending on 

location (southern populations give birth in late Summer). It feeds mainly on small 

invertebrates, although under captive conditions they are known to attack and consume small 

skinks (Lampropholis). Known natural predators are the Small-eyed Snake (Cryptophis 

nigrescens). However, domestic cats are known to prey on the species in the urban 

environment. 





(1994)] and the ACT Nature Conservation Act (1980). Regarded as common. 

Etymology: The name 'tenuis' means 'slender', and refers to the body-form of the species. 

30


Edenia gen. nov. 

Type Species: Hinulia tigrina De Vis, 1888 - Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. (2)2: 811-826 [p.817]. 

Diagnosis: As presently defined a monotypic genus of small lizards of the family Scincidae, 

from north-eastern Queensland, Australia, and readily diagnosed from all other 

Sphenomorphine lizards by the following combination of characters: body scales smooth and 

shiny, in 28-32 rows at mid-body; head scales unfragmented; parietals in contact behind the 

interparietal; prefrontals in broad contact (vs separated, or barely contacting in the genus 

Concinnia); supranasals absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present and 

conspicuous, but only about as large as the nasal scale (vs much larger than the nasal scale 

in Eulamprus, Concinnia, Deloidiogenes, Magmellia gen. nov., and Karma gen. nov.); ear 

lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 7-8 supralabials; postmental contacting two 

infralabials on each side; lower secondary temporal scale overlaps upper (vs upper 

secondary temporal scale overlaps lower in Concinnia); well-developed pentadactyl limbs, 

that overlap when adpressed; hind limbs significantly longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much 

longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 24-28, slightly swollen basally. Presacral 

vertebrae 26; premaxillary teeth 9. The sole species in this genus attains a maximum total 

length of around 180 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 80 mm. Ovoviviparous. 

Etymology: From the Greek, “Eden”, meaning a place of great happiness or paradise, and 

used in reference to the ancient tropical rainforest habitat of this group. 

Content: Edenia tigrina (De Vis, 1888) comb. nov. 

Edenia tigrina (De Vis, 1888) comb. nov 

Hinulia tigrina De Vis, 1888 - Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. (2)2: 811-826 [p.817]. Type data: 

Holotype QM J245. Type Locality: Innisfail (as Geraldton), Qld. 

Concinnia tigrina Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 88]. 

Concinnia tigrina Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus tigrinus Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 335] 

Eulamprus tigrinus Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 488-489] 

Eulamprus tigrinus Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 222- 

223] 

Eulamprus tigrinus Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.126] 

Eulamprus tigrinus Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 238-239] 

Eulamprus tigrinus Wilson and Swan, 2009 - What Lizard is That? [p. 36, 37] 

Description: This is another small lizard with a somewhat depressed body-form, with a 

medium-length tapering tail that is rounded in cross-section. It bears a superficial 

resemblance to some members of the tenuis complex (Concinnia) but differs considerably in 

morphology. The base body colour varies from dark brown to bright golden-brown or copperybrown 

over the head, body and tail. Although juveniles may have a series of irregular 

transverse bands over the body, pattern is often absent or very reduced in mature specimens, 

comprising an obscure series of blackish or dark brown spots or blotches, usually arranged in 

a narrow and irregular transverse pattern over the dorsum, and often concentrated along the 

vertebral line. There is usually a distinct series of alternating pale yellowish and black 

blotches along the dorsolateral region, extending from the neck to the base of the tail. The 

side of the head may be heavily flecked or speckled with black, particularly over the cheeks 

and templar area, and the labials are usually barred with dark brown. The lateral part of the 

body is greyish-brown with scattered blackish flecking, that may sometimes be concentrated 

as small vertically-aligned bars. The original tail is rich brown with blackish flecks and small 

blotches, and tiny pale creamish dots over its entire length (particularly along the sides), and 

the limbs are similar to the dorsal base colour, but with denser brownish variegations with tiny 

pale dotting. Ventrally white, light green to creamish-yellow, with the throat variegated with 

brown. Some significant features of this species' morphology are: body scales smooth and 

shiny, in 28-32 rows at mid-body; head shields regular and not fragmented; parietals in 

contact behind the interparietal; prefrontals in broad contact; supranasals absent; nasals 

separated; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present and conspicuous, and about as large as the 

nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 7-8 supralabials; postmental 

31


contacting two infralabials on each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that overlap when 

adpressed; hind limbs significantly longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; 

subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 24-28, slightly swollen basally. Presacral vertebrae 26; 

premaxillary teeth 9. Attains a maximum total length of around 180 mm. and a snout-vent 

length of about 80 mm. 

Distribution: Confined to a small part of north-eastern Queensland centred on lower southeastern 

Cape York Peninsula (between Shiptons Flat, south of Cooktown and the Cardwell 

Range, near Ingham). 

Habitat: Inhabits dense tropical rainforest in both lowland coastal areas as well as 

mountainous terrain to around 1600 metres altitude where it may be found in montane heath 

margins of rainforest. 

Biology/Ecology: This largely arboreal skink is a diurnal and crepuscular species that may be 

found in cracks or hollows of trees, or in association with rotting logs on the ground in small 

clearings of rainforest, or even amongst mossy boulders in high altitude heaths, or amongst 

rocks along creek-lines and amongst buttresses of rainforest trees. It usually basks during 

cloudy and humid weather, and actively forages in ground litter during late afternoon or early 

evening. Feeds only on small invertebrates. Ovoviviparous. 


Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. Status unknown, but this species may 

be considered as potentially vulnerable due to its limited and fragmented distribution and 

specialised habitat requirements. It is generally regarded as a rare species given the small 

known range and paucity of records. 

Etymology: The name 'tigrina' means 'tiger', and refers to the tiger-like pattern of this species. 

Karma gen. nov. 

Type Species: Lygosoma murrayi Boulenger, 1887 [Catalogue of the Lizards in the British 

Museum (Natural History). Volume 3. British Museum, London [Pp. 1-575; see p. 232, plate 

13, figure 1]. 

Diagnosis: A genus of medium-sized, glossy-scaled lizards of the family Scincidae from 

eastern Australia, most closely related to the genus Eulamprus but readily separated from all 

genera of Scincidae by the following combination of characters: body scales smooth and 

glossy, in 28-36 rows at mid-body; paravertebral scale rows 59-67; parietals in contact behind 

the interparietal; prefrontals usually separated or in point contact; supranasals absent (vs 

present in Edenia gen. nov.); nasals separated; supraoculars 4 (vs 5 in Deliodiogenes); earopening 

present and conspicuous, and larger than nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower 

eyelid movable and scaly; 6 supralabials (the last entire); postmental only contacting first 

infralabial on each side (vs postmental contacts first two infralabials on each side in 

Eulamprus and Concinnia); 3rd pair of enlarged chin shields fragmented and separated by 5 

longitudinal rows of smaller scales (vs 3 rd pair of enlarged chin shields not fragmented and 

separated by only 3 rows of scales in Concinnia); well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that 

overlap when adpressed; hind limbs significantly longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer 

than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 16-22, basal ones divided. Attains a maximum 

total length of around 260 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 110 mm. 

Content: Karma murrayi (Boulenger, 1887) comb. nov.; and Karma tryoni (Longman, 1918) 

comb. nov. 

Etymology: From Buddhism that teaches that the sum of actions in previous states is viewed 

as deciding a fate in the future - an interesting aspect in light of the past actions of 

taxonomists in their various treatments of the Sphenomorphine radiation and their eventual 

taxonomic fate. 

Karma murrayi (Boulenger, 1887) comb. nov. 

Lygosoma murrayi Boulenger, G.A. (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum 

(Natural History). 3. London: British Museum xii 575 pp. 40 pls [232, pl. 13 fig. 1]. Type data: 

holotype BMNH 1946.8.21.32. Type locality: Qld. 

Lygosoma tamburinense Lönnberg, E. and Andersson, L.G. (1915). Results of Dr. E. 

Mjöberg's Swedish Scientific Expeditions to Australia 1910-1913. VII. Reptiles collected in 

northern Queensland. K. Sven. Vetensk.-Akad. Handl. 52(7): 1-9 [5]. Type data: holotype 

NHRM 3212. Type locality: Mount Tambourine, Qld. 

32


Lygosoma (Hinulia) tenuis intermedius Kinghorn, J.R. (1932). Herpetological Notes. 4. Rec. 

Aust. Mus. 18: 355-363 [358]. Type data: Holotype AM R6485. Type Locality: Richmond 

River, NSW. 

Sphenomorphus murrayi Swanson, 1976 - Lizards of Australia [p. 26, pl. 49] 

Concinnia murrayi Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 88]. 

Concinnia murrayi Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus murrayi Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 334] 

Eulamprus murrayi Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 485-486] 

Eulamprus murrayi Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 220- 

221] 

Eulamprus murrayi Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 150] 

Eulamprus murrayi Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.125] 

Eulamprus murrayi Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 170] 

Eulamprus murrayi Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 236-237] 

Eulamprus murrayi Wilson and Swan, 2009 - What Lizard is That? [p. 35, 37] 

Description: This is a moderately large and solidly-built skink that has a medium-length 

tapering tail that is fairly thick at the base and rounded in cross-section. The base body colour 

is reddish-brown, golden-brown, chocolate brown or coppery-brown over the dorsum of the 

head, body, limbs and tail. The head scales are thinly bordered with darker brown and the tail 

can be strongly flecked with brown and fine white dots, and this is particularly evident along 

the sides. Along the dorsum, a sort of obscure variegated or barred pattern is created by the 

brown edges and pale centres of most body scales. There are pale cream and dark brown 

bars along the labials and blackish spots on the cheeks, and there are a few large blackish 

blotches on the neck behind the ear and the forelimbs. The lateral of the neck and body may 

be dark purple to paler brown, or even blackish, with heavy markings of paler whitish or 

bluish-white spots and flecks or small yellowish blotches; the flanks have a variable mottling 

of yellowish and black, and the lower lateral area of the body tends to be paler greyish with a 

dense flecking of light bluish dots. Ventrally creamish to yellowish, with the throat creamyyellow 

and the chin shields edged with brown, and a series of brownish variegations or lines 

over the throat and chest, and a fine peppering of blackish dots posteriorly (most noticeable 

near the vent and on the subcaudals). Some significant features of this species' morphology 

are: body scales smooth and glossy, in 28-36 rows at mid-body; paravertebral scale rows 59- 

67; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontals usually separated or in point 

contact; supranasals absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present and 

conspicuous, and larger than nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 

6 supralabials (the last entire - vs the last divided in Karma tryoni); postmental contacting a 

single infralabial on each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that overlap strongly when 

adpressed; hind limbs significantly longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; 

subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe smooth, 16-22, with the basal ones divided. Attains a 

maximum total length of around 260 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 110 mm. 

Distribution: Murray’s Skink is only known from a small area in eastern Australia, between the 

Conondale Ranges in south-eastern Queensland and Barrington Tops in mid-eastern New 

South Wales. 

Habitat: It inhabits a variety of cool forest habitats, ranging from sub-tropical rainforest 

through to wet sclerophyll forest from near sea-level to over 1000m altitude. Often occurs 

along rainforest streams and in forest clearings. 

Biology/Ecology: This is mainly a diurnal or crepuscular species, but it has been observed 

active on the rainforest floor during warm evenings in summer. It is usually found during the 

day in association with rotting logs as well as rocks and dense leaf-litter in clearings and 

along verges of moist forest areas. Although not strictly an arboreal species, individuals will 

also occupy the rotting interiors of standing dead tree trunks. Sometimes small groups of 

adults and juveniles are found together living in very close proximity with one another. 

Although this lizard will bask on logs during cloudy days, it is mostly active during the 

afternoon and early evening in warm weather. It will bask in open sunshine on cooler days, 

but it generally avoids hot sun-exposed sites; it is generally active during overcast weather 

either preceding or during rainfall in summer. This species also engages in territorial fights 

33


which can be so intense as to result in injury or death to individuals. It also vocalises during 

such conflicts or when being handled, issuing a short, high pitched squeak. Ovoviviparous, 

producing up to 5 live young in a brood during late summer. Feeds mainly on small 

invertebrates, but will also eat some rainforest fruits that fall to the ground, and on occasions, 

small skinks. 





(1994)]. Usually, this is a very common lizard where ever it occurs. However, due in part to 

the past large-scale clearing of rainforest for agriculture over much of its range, the now 

fragmented distribution and specialised habitat requirements of this species could indicate 

that it is potentially vulnerable in some parts of its range. In recent years some areas of 

relatively undisturbed rainforest have experienced an inexplicable decline in this species 

presence, from once being very common to now rare or even apparently extirpated. 

Etymology: The name 'murrayi' is believed to honour the 19 th Century British herpetologist 

John A. Murray. 

Karma tryoni (Longman, 1918) comb. nov. 

Lygosoma (Hinulia) tryoni Longman, H.A. (1918). Notes on some Queensland and Papuan 

reptiles. Mem. Qld Mus. 6: 37-44 [38]. Type data: Holotype QM J3023. Type Locality: 

Macpherson Ranges, 3000 ft, S Qld. 

Eulamprus tryoni Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 757] 

Eulamprus tryoni Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [Pp. 222- 

223] 

Eulamprus tryoni Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 153] 

Eulamprus tryoni Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [Pp.126-127] 

Eulamprus tryoni Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 



tapering tail that is fairly thick at the base and rounded in cross-section. It is very similar to 

Karma murrayi in overall appearance, but differs in a few subtle pattern differences and 

scalation. The base body colour is pale brown or coppery-brown over the head, body and tail. 

The body and tail has a strongly contrasting barred pattern formed by a series of irregular 

narrow transverse rows of darker brownish or blackish scales, which tend to extend to the 

series of darker laterodorsal blotches; the head scales are thinly bordered with darker brown. 

There are pale cream and dark brown bars along the labials and blackish spots on the 

cheeks, and the upper lateral (laterodorsal) of the body has a series of irregular blackish 

blotches which extend onto the tail as scattered darker scales. The midlateral of the neck and 

body may be dark purplish-brown, or even blackish, heavily flecked with paler whitish or 

bluish-white spots and flecks or small paler blotches as in K. murrayi. Ventrally bright 

yellowish, with the throat creamy-yellow with dark blotches and the chin shields obscurely 

(thinly) edged with brown. Some significant features of this species' morphology are: body 

scales smooth and glossy, in 38-42 rows at mid-body (vs a midbody count of less than 37 in 

Karma murrayi); paravertebral scale rows 81-92; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; 

prefrontals usually separated or in point contact; supranasals absent; nasals separated; 

supraoculars 4; ear-opening present and conspicuous, and larger than nasal scale; ear 

lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 6 supralabials (the last divided - vs the last 

one entire in Karma murrayi); postmental contacting a single infralabial on each side; welldeveloped 

pentadactyl limbs, that overlap when adpressed; hind limbs significantly longer 

than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 16-21, basal 

ones divided. Attains a maximum total length of around 240 mm. and a snout-vent length of 

about 105 mm. 

Distribution: Known only from a restricted area of eastern Australia, centred upon the 

Lamington Plateau of the McPherson Ranges, in south-eastern Queensland and northeastern 

New South Wales. 

Habitat: Restricted to dense subtropical rainforest (closed forest) conditions, above 800 

metres altitude. Favoured microhabitats of rotted logs and tree buttresses are very sheltered, 

34


and are mostly along stream verges and in small clearings resulting from breaks in the 

canopy following tree falls. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a shy, diurnal or crepuscular species that is usually found in 

association with rotting logs which it also use for basking and as retreat sites. It has also been 

observed active on the ground amongst dense leaf-litter - presumably foraging. Although this 

lizard will bask on logs during cloudy days, it is mostly active during the afternoon and early 

evening in warm weather, like its congenor Magmellia murrayi. Ovoviviparous, producing up 

to 5 live young in a brood during late summer. Feeds mainly on small invertebrates, but will 

also eat small lizards and possibly frog's eggs. 





(1994)]. Status unknown, but this species may be considered as potentially vulnerable due to 

its limited distribution and specialised habitat requirements. 

Etymology: The name 'tryoni' honours Australian naturalist the late Henry Tryon. 

Deloidiogenes Wells and Wellington, 1985 

Deloidiogenes Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. Suppl. 

Ser. 1: 1-61 [28] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 1985]. Type 

Species: Sphenomorphus amplus Covacevich and McDonald, 1980 by original designation. 

Diagnosis: As presently defined, a monotypic genus of Australian Scincid lizards, readily 

separated from all other genera by the following combination of characters: Body scales 

smooth and glossy in 40-52 rows at midbody; head shields regular, not fragmented; parietals 

in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontals in contact; supraoculars 5 (vs 4 supraoculars in 

Eulamprus, Edenia gen. nov. and Concinnia); supranasals present (vs supranasals absent in 

Eulamprus, Edenia gen. nov. and Concinnia); nasals separated by either 1 or 2 pairs of 

supranasals, with at least one pair in direct contact; supralabials 7; lower eyelid movable and 

scaly; ear opening present and conspicuous (and much larger than nasal scale); no anterior 

ear lobules (vs low anterior ear lobules in Concinnia); first infralabial contacts postmental on 

each side (vs first 2 infralabials contacting postmental in Concinnia); 3 rd pair of enlarged chin 

shields separated by 3 smaller scale rows (vs separated by 5 smaller scale rows in 

Eulamprus); well-developed pentadactyl limbs that overlap when adpressed; hind limbs much 

longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 4th toe broad, with most 

lamellae divided (vs mostly undivided in Concinnia); 22-26 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th 

toe. Attains a maximum total length of around 230 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 110 

mm. Ovoviviparous. 

Etymology: ‘Delos’ means ‘clearly’, ‘idiogenes’ means distinctive. 

Content: Deloidiogenes amplus (Covacevich and McDonald, 1980). 

Deloidiogenes amplus (Covacevich and McDonald, 1980) 

Sphenomorphus amplus Covacevich and McDonald, 1980 - Mem. Qld Mus. 20: 95-101 [p.97, 

pl. 16]. Type data: Holotype QM J26054. Type Locality: Finch Hatton Creek, Eungella 

National Park, mid-E Qld. 

Concinnia amplus Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 88]. 

Deloidiogenes amplus Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus amplus Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 333] 

Eulamprus amplus Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 482-483] 

Eulamprus amplus Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p. 216- 

217] 

Eulamprus amplus Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.123] 

Eulamprus amplus Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 167] 

Eulamprus amplus Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 

Edition [p. 232-233] 

Eulamprus amplus Wilson and Swan, 2009 - What Lizard is That? [p. 36, 37] 

35


Description: This is a relatively large and rather solidly-built skink, with a somewhat short, 

depressed head, a pointed snout, and a medium-length fragile tail that is round in section. 

The base body colour is a dark olive-brown dorsally. There are scattered paler creamish or 

lemon-yellow coloured scales over the dorsum, and these paler scales are usually 

transversely-aligned in thin wavy rows over the body and original tail, but these 'bands' are 

much less distinct laterally, and much more so on the tail. The lateral of the body is a paler 

brown than the dorsum and is profusely flecked or peppered with darker greyish and lighter 

yellowish marks. There is a distinctive blackish patch above the forelimbs, and the sides of 

the neck are bluish-grey. The limbs are the same colour as the dorsum, but are thinly marked 

with obscure pale creamish bands. Ventrally, the body is whitish to creamish or bright lemonyellow 

with the labials and chin bluish-grey or pale lemon yellow, with each scale being edged 

with dark brown, resulting in a weak barring to the lips. Some significant features of this 

species’ morphology are: body scales smooth and glossy in 40-52 rows at mid-body; parietals 

in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontals in contact; supraoculars 5; pair of supranasals; 

nasals separated by either 1 or 2 pairs of supranasals; supralabials 7; lower eyelid movable 

and scaly; ear-opening present and conspicuous (much larger than nasal scale); no anterior 

ear lobules; first infralabial contacts postmental on each side; 3 rd pair of enlarged chin shields 

separated by 3 smaller scale rows; well-developed pentadactyl limbs that overlap when 

adpressed; hind limbs much longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 

4th toe broad, with most lamellae divided; 22-26 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe. Attains a 


Distribution: Known only from isolated populations in a small part of central east coastal 

Queensland, between Proserpine and Mackay. Known localities are mainly around Finch 

Hatton, Mt Blackwood, Eungella National Park, and Conway State Forest. 

Habitat: Inhabits isolated montane closed tropical rainforests in mountainous areas, mostly 

between 300 and 900 metres altitude. It is usually found in association with rock outcrops and 

boulders near streams in more elevated sites, but in rainforest at lower altitudes, where it can 

be found living in cracks, crevices and cavities of tree trunks - such as the buttress roots of 

Fig Trees. 

Biology/Ecology: A diurnal, terrestrial, arboreal and saxatile species that forages amongst 

rocks, logs and ground litter along the margins or clearings of dense rainforest and in 

particular along the boulder-covered verges of creeks and waterfalls; it usually shelters 

beneath rocks and logs. This is a robust-bodied skink that will try to bite vigorously when 

seized. It can also vocalise by emitting a high pitched squeak if attacked during a territorial 

dispute, or if seized by a potential predator. Ovoviviparous, producing up to 5 live young at 

the end of summer. Feeds on small invertebrates. 



be considered as potentially vulnerable due to its limited and fragmented distribution, and 

specialised habitat requirements. It is generally considered to be a rare species because of its 

extremely small known range, although it is known to locally common at the few sites where it 

has been located. 

Etymology: The name 'amplus' means 'large', and refers to the larger size attained by this 

species. 

Magmellia gen. nov. 

Type Species: Sphenomorphus luteilateralis Covacevich, J. and McDonald, K.R. (1980). Two 

new species of skinks from mid-eastern Queensland rainforest. Mem. Qld Mus. 20: 95-101 

[96, pl. 1a]. Type data: Holotype QM J31685. Type Locality: Eungella National Park, QLD 

[21º03'S 148º359'E]. 

Diagnosis: A genus of somewhat robust, solidly-built lizards with a solid tapering tail, of the 

family Scincidae and restricted to north-east Australian rainforests, and readily separated 

from all other genera by the following combination of characters: body scales smooth and 

glossy, in 36-42 rows at mid-body; head shields regular, not fragmented; parietals in contact 

behind the interparietal; prefrontals usually separated or in point contact (vs prefrontals in 

broad contact in Edenia gen. nov.); supranasals absent (vs present in Deloidiogenes); nasals 

separated; supraoculars 4 (vs 5 in Deloidiogenes); ear-opening present and conspicuous, and 

larger than nasal scale (vs ear-opening only about as large as nasal scale in Edenia gen. 

nov.); ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 6 supralabials (vs 7 in Concinnia, 

36


Costinisauria and Deloidiogenes, or 7-9 in Eulamprus); postmental contacting a single 

infralabial on each side (vs postmental in contact with first two infralabials on each side in 

Eulamprus, Concinnia, and Edenia gen. nov.); well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that strongly 

overlap when adpressed (much more so than in Concinnia or Karma gen. nov.); hind limbs 

significantly longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; supradigital scales of 4 th toe 

in two rows, forming a distinct zigzag line along the toe where the two rows meet (vs a single 

scale row in transverse contact in Eulamprus); subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe smooth 17- 

22, basal ones divided (vs subdigital lamellae with longitudinal groove down the scales in 

Eulamprus). Attains a maximum total length of around 240 mm. and a snout-vent length of 

about 90 mm. Ovoviviparous. 

Etymology : Magmellia is derived from the Celtic 'Mag Mell', the much sought after, but 

elusive, field of happiness. 

Content: Magmellia luteilateralis (Covacevich and McDonald, 1980) comb. nov. 

Magmellia luteilateralis (Covacevich and McDonald, 1980) comb. nov. 

Sphenomorphus luteilateralis Covacevich, J. and McDonald, K.R. (1980). Two new species of 

skinks from mid-eastern Queensland rainforest. Mem. Qld Mus. 20: 95-101 [96, pl. 1a]. Type 

data: Holotype QM J31685. Type Locality: Eungella National Park, QLD [21º03'S 148º359'E]. 

Concinnia luteilateralis Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 88]. 

Concinnia luteilateralis Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus luteilateralis Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 334] 

Eulamprus luteilateralis Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 485-486] 

Eulamprus luteilateralis Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

[Pp. 220-221] 

Eulamprus luteilateralis Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.124] 

Eulamprus luteilateralis Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 169] 

Eulamprus luteilateralis Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd 



tapering tail that is fairly thick at the base and rounded in cross-section. The base body colour 

is golden-brown or coppery-brown over the head, body and tail. The dorsum is covered in 

darker brown scales, creating a heavily flecked pattern. The lateral of the body may be 

salmon-pink, with flanks of dull or bright orange, and with numerous tiny white spots overall, 

and a prominent dark brownish or blackish bar or patch above the forelimb. The bright orange 

flanks are diagnostic for this species. The neck and lower part of the head is bluish-grey or 

greyish-white, occasionally with a couple of small black patches between the ear and the 

forelimb, while the labials are pale greyish; the upper part of the head is the same lighter 

brown as the dorsal part of the head. Ventrally white. Some significant features of this 

species' morphology are: body scales smooth and glossy, in 36-42 rows at mid-body; head 

shields regular, not fragmented; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontals 

usually separated or in point contact; supranasals absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; 

ear-opening present and conspicuous, and larger than nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower 

eyelid movable and scaly; 6 supralabials; postmental contacting a single infralabial on each 

side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that strongly overlap when adpressed; hind limbs 

significantly longer than forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; dorsal scales of 4 th toe in 

two rows, forming a distinct zigzag line along the toe where the two rows meet; subdigital 

lamellae beneath 4th toe smooth 17-22, basal ones divided. Attains a maximum total length of 

around 240 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 110 mm. 

Distribution: Known only from a small area in mid-eastern Queensland, centred upon the 

upper slopes of Mount William in the Clarke Range (Eungella National Park) near Mackay. 

Habitat: Known only from montane rainforest and vine forests in elevated (mountainous) 

areas above 900 m altitude. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a diurnal or crepuscular species that is usually found in association 

with rotting logs and dense leaf-litter in clearings and along verges of moist forest areas of 

mixed notophyll vine forest. It shelters beneath fallen palm fronds and other ground litter, but 

mainly inside or under logs, and may be observed basking on logs during cloudy days, or 

foraging for small invertebrates amongst ground litter. Ovoviviparous, producing up to 5 live 

37


young in a brood during late summer. A shy species, that rapidly retreats into hollows of 

rotting logs when disturbed. 


Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. Status unknown, but this somewhat 

rare species may be considered as potentially vulnerable due to its limited distribution and 

specialised habitat requirements. Its range forms part of Eungella National Park. 

Etymology: The name 'luteilateralis' refers to the spotted colour pattern on the side of the 

body. 

Glaphyromorphus Wells and Wellington, 1984 

Glaphyromorphus Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synop. Class Rept. Aust. Austr. J. Herp. 1(3- 

4): 73-129 [95] [1983 on title page]. Type Species: Lygosoma (Lygosoma) punctulatum 

Peters, 1871 by original designation. 

Diagnosis: As presently defined, a genus of small, very elongate cryptozoic Scincid lizards 

from tropical north-eastern Australia, readily separated from all other genera by the following 

combination of characters: body scales smooth and glossy, in 18-26 rows at mid-body; middorsal 

scales conspicuously broader and much larger than mid-ventral scales (vs mid-dorsal 

scales about the same size as mid-ventrals in Mawsoniascincus); head shields regular, not 

fragmented; supranasals absent; nasals separated; parietals in contact behind the 

interparietal; prefrontal contacting first preocular; supraoculars 4; supralabials 7; postmental 

usually contacting one infralabial on each side (vs postmental in contact with either 1 or 2 

infralabials in Serenitas); ear-opening present but tiny and round, not as large as the nasal 

scale (vs ear opening present and conspicuous, and equal to or larger than the nasal in 

Mawsoniascincus, and ear-opening more elliptical and about as large as nasal in Serenitas); 

ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; small, but well-developed pentadactyl 

limbs, and separated by at least 3 limb-lengths when adpressed (vs large limbs in contact or 

overlapping when adpressed in Mawsoniascincus, or large adpressed limbs do not contact or 

overlap - but only separated by about one limb length in Serenitas, or diminutive limbs much 

more greatly separated when adpressed in Opacitascincus); 4th toe much longer than 3rd; 

subdigital lamellae mostly smooth and entire (vs basally divided in Mawsoniascincus); 

lamellae beneath 4th toe 11-14. Attains a maximum total length of around 140 mm. and a 

snout-vent length of about 55 mm. Oviparous (vs viviparous in Patheticoscincus). 

Content: Glaphyromorphus clandestinus Hoskin and Couper, 2004; and Glaphyromorphus 

punctulatus (Peters, 1871). 

Etymology: The name alludes to the highly polished or glossy nature of the scales in the 

included species. 

Glaphyromorphus clandestinus Hoskin and Couper, 2004 

Glaphyromorphus clandestinus Hoskin and Couper, 2004 - Aust. J. Zool. 52: 183-190. Type 

data: Holotype QM J77554. Type Locality: Alligator Ck, Mt Elliot, Bowling Green Bay National 

Park, north-east Queensland [19°29'S 146°59'E]. 

Glaphyromorphus clandestinus Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Description: This is another elongate and secretive species that has only recently been 

discovered. The body and tail are long, and the short pentadactyl limbs do not meet when 

adpressed, with the separation of the limbs in mature specimens being much greater than the 

length of a forelimb. It has a moderately pointed snout that is round in profile, and the head is 

barely distinct from neck. The colouration overall is pale bronze-brown with the flanks having 

a series of 7 or 8 thin, faint to dark longitudinal lines, formed by a series of regular black 

flecking to the scales that run from the ear to the groin, continuing along the lateral of the tail 

as heavy dark flecking; the under surface of the tail is darkly flecked as well. The dorsum of 

the body may be lightly or heavily flecked with black, although the dorsal of the head may be 

unmarked or only faintly speckled with dark brown; the labials may be prominently or faintly 

barred with black or dark brown. Ventrally, the body is pale whitish cream and generally 

unmarked, with the exception that the scales of the throat are delicately edged with dark 

brown or black, which forms a neat longitudinal series of fine dark lines to the forelimbs. 

Some other characteristic features of this species morphology are: body scales smooth and 

shiny; mid-body scale count of 26, readily separates it from its congenors; 55-60 

38


paravertebrals, each not larger than adjacent body scales; rostral broadly contacts 

frontonasal; nasals widely separated; nostril sub-central in nasal scale, almost in contact with 

first supralabial; frontonasal about 1.5 wider than long, frontonasal broadly contacting frontal; 

prefrontals large, and almost the same size as first supraocular; prefrontals separated; 

supraoculars 4, with second being the largest; frontal contacts first two supraoculars; 

frontoparietals large and in broad contact; parietals in narrow contact behind interparietal; 

parietals contact 4 th supraocular, frontoparietal, interparietal, upper secondary temporal, two 

pretemporals, and 1 or 2 nuchals; 2 presuboculars; one pair of broadly enlarged nuchals; 

loreals 2; preoculars 2, lower the largest; postsuboculars 2, the second being the largest; 

supraciliaries 6, with the first being the largest; supralabials 7, with the 5 th suborbital; 

infralabials 5; mental approx twice as wide as long; postmental in contact with either 1 or 2 

infralabials; 3 pairs of enlarged chin shields; preanals 4 - enlarged and overlapping; lower 

eyelid moveable, scaly; ear opening present; ear lobules absent; subdigital lamellae broadly 

callose; 14-17 subdigital lamellae beneath 4 th toe. Attains a maximum size of about 230mm in 

total length (with original tail), of which 75 mm is SVL. 

Distribution: Known only from the Mt Elliot area, centred on the vicinity of Alligator Creek, 

north-eastern Queensland. 

Habitat: Has been found sheltering in humus and litter beneath rock slabs amongst exposed 

granite outcroppings near a waterfall in a complex vegetation of ecotonal tropical rainforest 

and wet sclerophyll forest at around 425m. altitude. 

Biology/Ecology: This is apparently a burrowing, crepuscular species, about which little is 

known. All known specimens were discovered in a moist seepage microhabitat in association 

with granitic outcroppings; all specimens were sheltering amongst humus beneath granite 

exfoliations near a waterfall. 


Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. Regarded as rare and its restricted 

range would suggest that it could be potentially endangered, although no threatening 

processes have been identified. 

Etymology: The name ‘clandestinus’ means ‘secret’, and refers to the difficulty that 

herpetologists have had locating further specimens of this species following its original 

discovery in 2002. 

Glaphyromorphus punctulatus (Peters, 1871) 

Lygosoma (Lygosoma) punctulatum Peters, W. (1871). Über einige Arten der 

herpetologischen Sammlung des Berliner Zoologischen Museums. Mber. K. Preuss. Akad. 

Wiss. Berl. 1871: 644-652 [646] [1872 on title page]. Type data: Holotype ZMB 7295. Type 

Locality: Port Clinton (as Port Bowen), Qld. 

Lygosoma heterodactylum Günther, A. (1876). Descriptions of new species of reptiles from 

Australia. J. Mus. Godeffroy 5: 45-47 [45]. Type data: Holotype BMNH 73.3.4.16. Type 

Locality: Peak Downs, Qld. 

Glaphyromorphus punctulatus Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 96]. 

Glaphyromorphus punctulatus Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. 

J. Herp. Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [p. 30] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until 

September, 1985]. 

Sphenomorphus punctulatus Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 329] 

Glaphyromorphus punctulatus Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 497- 

498] 

Glaphyromorphus punctulatus Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Glaphyromorphus punctulatus Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.130] 

Glaphyromorphus punctulatus Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 173] 

Glaphyromorphus punctulatus Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Description: This is a small, very elongate skink with a long tapering tail that is round in 

section. The base body colour may be pale greyish-brown, rich brown or golden-brown over 

the head, body and tail. Pattern may be absent or very obscure on the dorsum, or be 

restricted to each dorsal and lateral scale having paler edges, and being flecked or streaked 

with darker brown overall. In some specimens there is a narrow darker upper lateral zone or 

obscure dorsolateral streak formed by marginally denser flecking, but usually there is no clear 

39


line of demarcation in colouration between the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the body. The 

sides of the head are densely spotted with brown, and the labials are boldly spotted with 

brown also, making the side of the head noticeably darker than the body. Ventrally, pale 

yellowish or creamish under the body, with some fine brown spotting along the ventrolateral 

margin and heavy brown spotting under the tail; the chin and throat are lightly streaked or 

dotted with brown. Some significant features of this species' morphology are: snout pointed 

and head barely distinct from neck; body scales smooth and shiny, in 18-20 rows at mid-body; 

supranasals absent; nasals separated; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal 

contacting first preocular; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present but small, not as large as the 

nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; supralabials 7; postmental 

usually contacting one, or rarely two infralabials on each side; tiny, but well-developed 

pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when adpressed; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; 

subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 11-14 smooth and entire. Attains a maximum total length 

of around 140 mm. with a snout-vent length of about 55-70 mm. 

Distribution: Known only from a wide area of mid to north-eastern Queensland, ranging from 

Kaban (just south of Herberton), in the north-east to Mt Walsh National Park (west of 

Maryborough) in the south. 

Habitat: Inhabits dry vine thickets (dry rainforest) and in open eucalypt forest and woodland 

on well-drained sites with sandy or loamy soil, from about sea level up to 1000 metres 

altitude. Generally found in drier, exposed or open places including rocky areas adjacent to or 

within more densely vegetated habitats. 

Biology/Ecology: A small burrowing species, often found sheltering beneath deep leaf-litter, 

rotting logs as well as rocks on sand (including beaches and coastal dunes). It is somewhat 

cryptozoic in habits, being active beneath cover such as logs and deep ground litter during 

the day. This species is oviparous, producing up to three eggs in a clutch, and feeds entirely 

on a wide range of small invertebrates. 


Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. Regarded as common. 

Etymology: The name 'punctulatus' means 'spotted' and refers to the colour pattern in this 

species. 

Serenitas gen. nov. 

Type Species: Hinulia pardalis Macleay, W. (1877). The lizards of the Chevert Expedition. 

Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 2: 60-69 [63] [1878 on title page]. 

Diagnosis: A genus of medium-sized, elongate and robust lizards of the family Scincidae from 

north-eastern Australia, readily differentiated from all other genera by the following 

combination of characters: head shields regular, not fragmented; snout pointed and round in 

profile; head barely distinct from neck; body scales smooth and glossy, in 22-30 rows at midbody; 

55-68 paravertebrals, each broader than adjacent body scales (vs paravertebrals about 

equal to adjacent dorsal scales in Mawsoniascincus); mid-dorsal scales conspicuously 

broader and much larger than mid-ventral scales (vs mid-dorsals and mid-ventrals subequal 

in Mawsoniascincus); supranasals absent; nasals widely separated; rostral broadly contacts 

frontonasal; prefrontal not contacting first preocular; frontonasal about 1.5 wider than long, 

frontonasal usually contacting frontal; prefrontals usually separated, but occasionally in 

narrow contact; prefrontals large, and almost the same size as first supraocular; supraoculars 

4, with 2nd being the largest; frontal contacts first two supraoculars; frontoparietals large and 

in broad contact; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; parietals contact 4 th supraocular, 

frontoparietal, interparietal, upper secondary temporal, two pretemporals, and 1 or 2 nuchals; 

one pair of broadly enlarged nuchals; lower eyelid movable and scaly; loreals 2; preoculars 2, 

lower the largest; presuboculars 2; postsuboculars 2, the second being the largest; 

supraciliaries 6, with the first being the largest; nostril below centre (sub-central) of nasal 

scale, almost in contact with first supralabial; supralabials 7, with the 5 th suborbital; infralabials 

5; mental approx twice as wide as long; postmental in contact with either 1 or 2 infralabials; 3 

pairs of enlarged chin shields; preanals 4 - enlarged and overlapping; ear-opening present but 

small, with slight vertical compression (or not quite round) and not as large as, or nearly as 

large as the nasal scale (vs ear-opening small and round, and smaller than nasal in 

Glaphyromorphus; anterior ear lobules absent; well-developed but small pentadactyl limbs, 

that fail to overlap when adpressed and separated by at least a limb length (vs limbs in 

contact or overlapping when adpressed in Mawsoniascincus, or small, but well-developed 

40


pentadactyl limbs, that are separated by about 4 limb lengths when adpressed, or very 

diminutive limbs greatly separated by more than 4 limb lengths when adpressed in 

Opacitascincus); 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 14-24 

smooth and entire or broadly callose or bluntly keeled. Presacral vertebrae 26. Oviparous, but 

the thin-shelled eggs are laid in an advanced state, and hatch a very short period after laying. 

Content: Serenitas fuscicaudis (Greer, 1979) comb. nov.; Serenitas nigricaudis (Macleay, 

1877) comb. nov.; and Serenitas pardalis (Macleay, 1877) comb. nov. 

Etymology: From the Latin serenitas meaning serene or tranquil and used in reference to the 

habitats occupied by the included species. 

Serenitas fuscicaudis (Greer, 1979) comb. nov. 

Sphenomorphus fuscicaudis Greer, A.E. (1979). A new Sphenomorphus (Lacertilia: 

Scincidae) from the rainforests of north-eastern Queensland. Rec. Aust. Mus. 32: 373-383 

[373, fig. 1]. Type data: Holotype QM J25218. Type Locality: Mt Finnigan (3,700 ft), Mt 

Finnigan National Park, NE Qld. 

Concinnia fuscicaudis Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 88]. 

Concinnia fuscicaudis Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus fuscicaudis Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 331] 

Glaphyromorphus fuscicaudis Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 493- 

494] 

Glaphyromorphus fuscicaudis Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Glaphyromorphus fuscicaudis Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.128] 

Glaphyromorphus fuscicaudis Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Description: The body form of this skink is elongate, but robust, and the tail is very long, 

fragile, tapering and round in section, which is in marked contrast to the relatively shorter 

body and tail in the genus Glaphyromorphus. The base colour is reddish-brown, with the 

anterior of the tail being noticeably darker. The dorsal pattern mainly comprises scattered 

darker brown scales over the rich brownish dorsum, but those on the neck may be 

transversely aligned to form a series of nuchal bands; in some individuals, the spotting may 

form a series of thin irregular, and wavy transverse bands over the entire body, but this is 

nearly always most intense anteriorly. The lateral of the body is slightly lighter in base colour 

than the dorsum, but the pattern is bolder and more complex, with numerous scattered pale 

and dark flecks and spots being present, and often representing a continuation of the upper 

body pattern. The lateral part of the anterior body and neck region tends to have a reticulum 

of black and creamish patches and flecks, with the dorsolateral margin being more blotched 

with cream and yellow patches, while the posterior of the body gradually fades to an obscure 

creamish yellow and brownish variegated pattern. The tail is heavily flecked with glossy black 

and dark brown, and overall appears much darker than the body, the hind limbs are blackish 

or dark brown (same as tail) with obscure darker variegations, but the forelimbs are more like 

the dorsum colour, with blackish streaks; the labials are barred with creamish and dark brown. 

Ventrally, creamish to pale yellow under the head and body, and greyish-blue or whitish 

subcaudally; breeding specimens may have a pinkish flush to the basal part of the tail and 

cloaca as well. Some significant features of this species' morphology are: head shields 

regular, not fragmented; body scales smooth and shiny, in 27-30 rows at mid-body; 

paravertebral scales 64-68 in females (average 67), 60-67 in males (average 63); parietals in 

contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal not contacting first preocular; prefrontals usually 

separated; supranasals absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present but 

small, about as large as the nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 

supralabials 7; postmental contacting two infralabials on each side; well-developed 

pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when adpressed (separated by about a forearm length); 

4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 18-24, bluntly keeled and 

entire. Presacral vertebrae 26. Attains a maximum total length of around 200 mm. and a 

snout-vent length of about 90 mm. 

41


Distribution: Confined to a few scattered areas of north-eastern Queensland, between the 

McIlwraith Range on Cape York Peninsula, Cooktown and the Atherton Tablelands west of 

Cairns. 

Habitat: Inhabits monsoon vine forest, lowland tropical rainforest and montane rainforest, from 

about 40 to 1160 m altitude. 

Biology/Ecology: An essentially diurnal, terrestrial and crepuscular species that forages 

amongst leaf-litter in rainforest clearings, or along ecotonal forest boundaries. It shelters 

beneath rotting logs and piles of ground debris and is insectivorous in dietary habits, probably 

taking a wide range of rainforest invertebrates. Oviparous, producing up to 4 eggs in a clutch, 

which are probably laid early in the Wet Season (November-December), as gravid females 

with advanced oviducal eggs have been found in November. 


Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. Regarded as locally common. 

Etymology: The name 'fuscicaudis' means ‘dark tail’, and refers to the colour pattern of the 

species. 

Serenitas nigricaudis (Macleay, 1877) comb. nov. 

Mocoa nigricaudis Macleay, W. (1877). The lizards of the Chevert Expedition. Proc. Linn. 

Soc. N.S.W. 2: 60-69 [63] [1878 on title page]. Type data: Lectotype AM R31840. Subsequent 

designation: Copland, S.J. (1946). Catalogue of reptiles in the Macleay Museum I. 

Sphenomorphus pardalis (Macleay) and Sphenomorphus nigricaudis nigricaudis (Macleay). 

Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 70: 291-311. Type locality: Darnley Is., Torres Strait, Qld. 

Lygosoma (Hinulia) elegantulum Peters, W. and Doria, G. (1878). Catalogo dei Rettili e dei 

Batraci raccolti da O. Beccari, L.M. d'Albertis A.A. Bruijn nella sotto-regione Austro-Malese. 

Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova 13: 323-450 [344]. Type data: Syntypes MCG C.E.27864, 

whereabouts unknown remaining syntypes. Type Locality: Somerset, Cape York Peninsula, 

Qld. 

Lygosoma elegantulum Boulenger, 1887 - Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. [p.235] 

Lygosoma elegantulum Oudemans, 1894 - Denksch. med-naturwiss.Gesell.Jena, 8: 127-146 

[p.140] 

Lygosoma elegantulum Boulenger, 1895 - Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) 16: 28-32 [p.29] 

Lygosoma elegantulum Broom, 1898 - Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 22 (3): 639-645 [p.643] 

Hinulia pardalis Boulenger, 1904 - Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7) 14: 80 

Lygosoma elegantulum De Rooij, 1915 - Rept. Indo Austr. Arch. [p.182] 

Lygosoma (Hinulia) elegantulum Zietz, 1920 - Cat. Aust. Liz. [p.208] 

Lygosoma (Hinulia) elegantulum Kinghorn, 1931 - Rec. Aust. Mus. 18 (3): 85-91 [p.89] 

Sphenomorphus pardalis Loveridge, 1934 - Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., Harv. 77 (6): 243-383 

[p.352] 

Sphenomorphus nigricaudis nigricaudis Copland, 1946 - Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 70: 291-311 

[Pp. 299-305] 

Sphenomorphus nigricaudis elegantulus Copland, 1946 - Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 70: 291- 

311 [Pp. 305-310] 

Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 95]. 

Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. 



Sphenomorphus nigricaudis Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 332] 

Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 495, 

496] 

Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.129] 

Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Description: A slightly smaller member of the genus than the preceding species, the body 

form is nevertheless similar to its congenors with its elongate but robust build, small limbs and 

pointed snout. The tail is similarly moderately long, thick and fragile, round in section and 

tapering. The base colour is reddish-brown, and a pattern of darker spotting may be present 

or absent. with the proximal part of the tail being noticeably darker in some specimens. When 

42


present, the dorsal pattern mainly comprises scattered darker brown flecks or spots over the 

anterior part of the body, with those on the shoulders and neck being darker, denser and 

transversely aligned to form an obscure series of broken bands. The lateral of the body may 

be slightly lighter in base colour than the dorsum, and the pattern similarly sparse, with just a 

few scattered dark flecks and spots being present and no dark dorsolateral region. The 

proximal part of the tail may be sparsely flecked with glossy black or dark brown, particularly 

towards the end where the spotting can be so dense as to give the tail a prominent black or 

dark brown ending in some individuals. The hind limbs are similar in colour to the body and 

tail, but with obscure darker variegations, and the labials are distinctly barred with creamish 

and dark brown. Ventrally, creamish to white under the body, with a few darker brown streaks, 

spots or flecks beneath the throat. Some significant features of this species' morphology are: 

body scales smooth, and shiny (glossy), in 26-28 rows at mid-body; parietals in contact 

behind the interparietal; prefrontals usually separated, but occasionally in narrow contact; 

prefrontal not contacting first preocular; supranasals absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 

4; ear-opening present and conspicuous, about as large as the nasal scale; ear lobules 

absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; supralabials 7; postmental contacting two infralabials 

on each side; well-developed but small pentadactyl limbs, that just fail to overlap when 

adpressed (separated by the length of a forelimb); 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital 

lamellae beneath 4th toe 18-24, smooth or bluntly keeled and entire. I have collected this 

species at various locations in the past on Cape York Peninsula and am of the belief that 

nigricaudis is likely composite owing to the morphological variation observed. Attains a 


Distribution: Restricted to Cape York Peninsula and some of the islands in Torres Strait, in 

north-eastern Queensland, and a small area in north-eastern Arnhem Land, Northern 

Territory. Also occurs in New Guinea. 

Habitat: Known from various types of tropical savanna woodland habitats adjacent to wet 

forest conditions, such as ecotones between savanna or eucalypt woodland and various vine 

forests, monsoon rainforest and tropical lowland rainforest habitats. Also occurs in wellvegetated 

coastal dune habitats on Cape York Peninsula. Prefers areas that are well-drained 

and slightly elevated. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a secretive, burrowing and largely nocturnal species that shelters in 

cool shaded or protected situations in gullies, amongst rock outcrops and in patches of 

remnant monsoon rainforest, dry open savanna woodland, and other tropical forest 

communities. Specimens have been discovered sheltering under deep leaf-litter, beneath flat 

rocks on loamy soil, and under rotting logs - particularly in the moister or more protected parts 

of drier woodland habitats adjacent to rainforest areas or around rocky outcrops. During warm 

evenings it can be nocturnal in habits, although it readily basks in forest clearings on warm 

cloudy days. Oviparous, but a population on southern Cape York Peninsula has been 

reported to be ‘live-bearing’ but this has yet to be confirmed. Feeds on small invertebrates. 


Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)] and the Northern Territory Parks and 

Wildlife Conservation Act (2007). Regarded as common. 

Etymology: The name 'nigricaudis' means 'black tail', referring to the proximal part of the tail 

being black in some specimens. 

Serenitas pardalis (Macleay, 1877) comb. nov. 

Hinulia pardalis Macleay, W. (1877). The lizards of the Chevert Expedition. Proc. Linn. Soc. 

N.S.W. 2: 60-69 [63] [1878 on title page]. Type data: holotype AM R31837. Type Locality: 

Barrow Is., Qld. 

Hinulia pardalis Boulenger, 1887 - Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. [p.209] 

Lygosoma atromaculatum Garman, S. (1901). Some reptiles and batrachians from 

Australasia. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 39: 1-14 [8]. Type data: Syntypes MCZ 6475 (2 

specimens), MCZ 6478 (3 specimens), FMNH 73374. Type Locality: Queensland and Great 

Barrier Reef, Qld, Qld - Cooktown 

Lygosoma pardalis Zietz, 1920 - Cat. Aust. Liz. [p. 208] 

Sphenomorphus pardalis Loveridge, 1934 - Australian reptiles in the Museum of Comparative 

Zoology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 77: 243-383 [p.352]. 

Sphenomorphus atromaculatus Loveridge, 1934 - Australian reptiles in the Museum of 

Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 77: 243-383 

[p.353]. 

43


Sphenomorphus pardalis pardalis Copland, 1946 - Proc. Linn. Soc. NSW, 70: 291-311 [p.292] 

Sphenomorphus pardalis erro Copland, S.J. 1946. Catalogue of reptiles in the Macleay 

Museum I. Sphenomorphus pardalis (Macleay) and Sphenomorphus nigricaudis nigricaudis 

(Macleay). Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 70: 291-311 [298, pl. 11 

fig. 2]. Type data: Holotype AM R6352, locality unknown. 

Glaphyromorphus erro Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 95]. 

Glaphyromorphus pardalis Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 95]. 

Glaphyromorphus erro Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 


1985]. 

Glaphyromorphus pardalis Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 

Herp. Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [p. 30] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 

1985]. 

Sphenomorphus pardalis Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 332] 

Glaphyromorphus pardalis Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 496- 

498] 

Glaphyromorphus pardalis Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

[p. 228-229] 

Glaphyromorphus pardalis Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [Pp.129-130] 

Glaphyromorphus pardalis Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

2 nd Edition [p. 244-245] 

Description: This is a somewhat elongate, but solidly-built skink with a moderately long 

tapering tail that is round in section. The base body colour is dark chocolate-brown, goldenbrown 

to pale brown over the head, body and tail. Pattern may be absent on the dorsum, or 

be restricted to the mid-dorsal scales being flecked with blackish or darker brown in two thin 

rows down the body, or consist of numerous dark brown scales scattered over the entire body 

and tail. There is usually a narrow blackish temporal line that progressively widens along the 

upper neck then onto the body, where it forms a series of vertically-aligned short bars that 

tend to create a streak along the whole dorsolateral line of the body. The upper lateral zone is 

heavily spotted or blotched with blackish or dark brown. The lower lateral part of the body is 

paler brown than the dorsum, and includes a lower density of black or brown spotting and 

flecking, but the sides of the tail are densely flecked and variegated with brown. The sides of 

the head are also paler brown, and the labials are boldly edged with brown, which may extend 

onto the chin and throat as short bars. Ventrally, whitish or creamish to pale lemon-yellow. 

Some significant features of this species' morphology are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 

22-26 (usually 24) rows at mid-body; mid-dorsal scales conspicuously broader much larger 

than mid-ventral scales; prefrontals separated; prefrontal not contacting first preocular; 

supranasals absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; parietals in contact behind the 

interparietal; ear-opening present but small, not as large as the nasal scale; ear lobules 

absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; supralabials 7; infralabials 5; postmental contacting a 

single infralabial on each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when 

adpressed; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 17-24 smooth 

and entire. Attains a maximum total length of around 180 mm. and a snout-vent length of 

about 70 mm. While there appears to be some morphological differences between various 

populations of pardalis, it is clear to me that there is inadequate material available to 

determine the precise boundaries of this species. Copland’s (1946) description of 

Sphenomorphus pardalis erro certainly suggested that another taxon also existed along with 

pardalis, and erro was previously resurrected by Wells and Wellington (1984) as a separate 

species to pardalis on the basis of Copland’s original description and an inspection of the 

Holotype at the Australian Museum. However, it is my opinion that its validity or otherwise 

should be firmly established by a thorough morphological study of Serenitas pardalis from 

across its entire range. Such a study has yet to be carried out and published, so until that 

occurs, I prefer to refrain from any further use of Copland’s Sphenomorphus pardalis erro. 

Distribution: Known only from scattered locations on Cape York Peninsula, south to about 

Cairns, Queensland. 

Habitat: Inhabits a variety of vegetation types and conditions, ranging from denser stands of 

tropical savanna woodland, tropical rainforest or to monsoon rainforest. Usually found in 

association with rock outcroppings in undulating terrain, or open plains subjected to seasonal 

inundation from wet season rains. 

44


Biology/Ecology: This is a burrowing or cryptozoic species that constructs long tunnels in 

loamy soil beneath flat slabs of rock in shaded positions, often on hillsides. It generally prefers 

moister, shaded or sheltered positions amongst remnant patches of vegetation like 

Melaleucas and rainforest along floodways or in sightly elevated sites along waterways. Most 

active during late afternoon or in the early evening when it feeds on a range of small 

invertebrates like spiders, ants, beetles, or centipedes in leaf-litter during the day and or on 

the surface during warm evenings. Known to also attack and eat small skinks on occasions. 

Oviparous, usually about 3-5 eggs which hatch soon after laying in the mid-Wet Season 

(January). 



Etymology: The name 'pardalis' means 'spotted' and refers to the colour pattern of the 

species. 

Mawsoniascincus Wells and Wellington, 1985 

Mawsoniascincus Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 

Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [33, 34] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 

1985]. Type species: Lygosoma isolepis Boulenger, 1887 by original designation. 

Diagnosis: A genus of moderate-sized lizards of the family Scincidae from northern Australia 

and the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia, most closely related to the genera 

Glaphyromorphus and Serenitas but readily identified by the following combination of 

characters: mid-dorsal scales about the same size as mid-ventrals (vs mid-dorsal scales 

conspicuously broader and much larger than mid-ventral scales in Glaphyromorphus and 

Serenitas); postmental contacting a single infralabial on each side (vs postmental in contact 

with either 1 or 2 infralabials in Serenitas); ear opening present and conspicuous, and equal 

to or larger than the nasal scale (vs tiny, and round, smaller than nasal in Glaphyromorphus, 

and ear-opening more elliptical and about as large as nasal in Serenitas); relatively large 

pentadactyl limbs in contact or overlapping when adpressed (vs adpressed limbs do not 

contact or overlap - separated by about one limb length, in Serenitas, and small limbs 

separated by at least 3 limb-lengths in Glaphyromorphus, or diminutive limbs separated by 

at least 4 limb-lengths in Opacitascincus); 

Content: Mawsoniascincus antoniorum (Smith, 1927) com. nov.; Mawsoniascincus 

brongersmai (Storr, 1972); Mawsoniascincus douglasi (Storr, 1967); Mawsoniascincus 

emigrans (Lidth de Jeude, 1895) comb. nov.; Mawsoniascincus foresti (Kinghorn, 1932); 

Mawsoniascincus harwoodi (Wells and Wellington, 1985) comb. nov.; and Mawsoniascincus 

isolepis (Boulenger, 1887) and Mawsoniascincus timorensis (Greer, 1990) comb. nov. 

Mawsoniascincus brongersmai (Storr, 1972) 

Sphenomorphus brongersmai Storr, G.M. (1972). Revisionary notes on the Sphenomorphus 

isolepis complex (Lacertilia: Scincidae). Zool. Meded. (Leiden) 47: 1-5 [1]. Type data: 

Holotype WAM R34707. Type Locality: Kalumburu, WA [14º18'S 126º38'E]. 

Glaphyromorphus brongersmai Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 

95]. 

Mawsoniascincus brongersmai Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. 



Sphenomorphus brongersmai Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 330] 

Glaphyromorphus brongersmai Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 

491] 

Glaphyromorphus brongersmai Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Glaphyromorphus brongersmai Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Description: This robust-bodied skink reaches a larger maximum size than its relatives in the 

Mawsoniascincus isolepis species-group. The tail is rather solid proximally, round in section, 

and moderately long and tapering. The base body colour is dark reddish-brown over the 

head, body and tail. Pattern may be absent on the dorsum, or be restricted to each dorsal 

scale having a darker brown centre, which form a series of about 4 to 5 obscure longitudinal 

45


streaks along the body. There is an irregular dark blackish streak that extends from the snout, 

across the eye and onto the forebody where it fades. This dorsolateral streak may be dotted 

with white along the neck as well, and forms a clear boundary line between the spotted lateral 

of the body and the plainer dorsum. The lateral part of the body is paler brown than the 

dorsum, and includes heavy black dotting and flecking throughout. The sides of the head are 

also paler brown, and the supralabials are boldly edged with brown. Ventrally, whitish. Some 

significant features of this species' morphology are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 26-31 

rows at mid-body; mid-dorsal and mid-ventral scales subequal; parietals in contact behind the 

interparietal; prefrontal not contacting first preocular; prefrontals separated; supranasals 

absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; lower eyelid movable and scaly; supralabials 6; 

postmental contacting a single infralabial on each side; ear opening present and conspicuous, 

and equal to or larger than the nasal scale; ear lobules absent; well-developed pentadactyl 

limbs, that nearly meet or just overlap when adpressed; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; 

subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 20-25. Attains a maximum total length of around 200 mm. 

and a snout-vent length of about 90 mm. 

Distribution: Restricted to the far northern Kimberley Zone of northern Western Australia. 

Habitat: Inhabits tropical monsoon forest remnants and adjacent dense tropical woodland 

along or near watercourses in gullies or rocky undulating areas. 

Biology/Ecology: A crepuscular species that lives in areas covered by thick vegetation such 

as along creeks or the base of rocky hills. Shelters amongst rocks and rotting logs with deep 

leaf-litter and most active around sunset. Oviparous. Feeds on small invertebrates. 

Survival Status: Protected under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (as amended). 

Status unknown, and although reportedly common, this species may be considered as 

potentially vulnerable due to its limited distribution and specialised habitat requirements. 

Etymology: The name 'brongersmai' honours a Dutch herpetologist, the late Leo Daniel 

Brongersma. 

Mawsoniascincus douglasi (Storr, 1967) 

Sphenomorphus isolepis douglasi Storr, G.M. (1967). The genus Sphenomorphus (Lacertilia: 

Scincidae) in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. J. R. Soc. West. Aust. 50: 10-20 

[16]. Type data: Holotype WAM R23446. Type Locality: Darwin, NT [12º25'S 130º49'E]. 

Sphenomorphus isolepis [part] Swanson, 1976 - Lizards of Australia [p. 27, pl. 51] 

Glaphyromorphus douglasi Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 95]. 

Mawsoniascincus douglasi Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus douglasi Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 330] 

Glaphyromorphus douglasi Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 492- 

493] 

Glaphyromorphus douglasi Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

[p. 226-227] 

Glaphyromorphus douglasi Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 172] 

Glaphyromorphus douglasi Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

2 nd Edition [p. 242-243] 

Description: This is a fairly robust skink with a long tapering tail that is round in section. The 

base body colour is light or dark reddish-brown over the head, body and tail. Pattern 

comprises scattered darker brown or blackish flecking over the dorsal part of the body and 

basal part of the tail. There is a broad blackish zone that extends dorsolaterally from behind 

the eye to about the forelimbs, and this often continues along the body to form a broad 

blackish upper lateral zone. Prominent tiny white dots are scattered throughout the darker 

dorsolateral or upper lateral area. A weak brownish streak runs along the canthus and 

continues behind the eye as a dense series of brownish flecks more or less parallel with the 

darker upper lateral pattern. The lateral area of the neck is paler brown with scattered white 

dots, and the labials are edged with brown, the brown barring sometimes extending slightly 

under the lower jaw. The lower lateral may be rich reddish brown or orange with scattered 

white dots and darker brown flecking. Ventrally creamish-white. Some significant features of 

this species' morphology are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 26-32 rows at mid-body; middorsal 

and mid-ventral scales subequal; supranasals absent; nasals separated; parietals in 

contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal not contacting first preocular; prefrontals usually 

46


separated, but sometimes in narrow contact; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present and 

conspicuous, and equal to or larger than the nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower eyelid 

movable and scaly; supralabials 6-7; postmental contacting a single infralabial on each side; 

well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that nearly meet or just overlap when adpressed; 4th toe 

much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 17-25, divided basally. Attains a 


Distribution: Confined to the far north of the Northern Territory, extending from about Van 

Diemen’s Gulf near the Western Australian/NT border, across the ‘Top End’ to about western 

Arnhem Land. Also recorded from Melville Island. 

Habitat: Prefers densely vegetated areas around streams or other freshwater wetland, such 

as tropical monsoon forest or a variety of riparian woodlands. 

Biology/Ecology: A terrestrial and largely crepuscular species that forages amongst heavily 

shaded, thick ground litter on rich loamy soil usually within a few metres of a water body of 

some sort or near shaded rocky outcrops. This species may become nocturnal in the early 

evening during warmer weather. It prefers refuges that provide a fairly humid microclimate, 

and shelters in abandoned burrows, under rocks, in crevices, beneath deep ground litter or 

under rotting logs. Oviparous, producing up to 4-8 (usually around) 6 eggs in a clutch. Feeds 

mainly on small invertebrates, but will also eat small lizards as well, and has been observed 

eating small pieces of dead animals. Known predators are the Northern Small-eyed Snake, 

Cryptophis pallidiceps. 

Survival Status: Protected under the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 

(2007). Regarded as common. 

Etymology: The name 'douglasi' honours Australian naturalist Athol Mardon Douglas. 

Mawsoniascincus foresti (Kinghorn, 1932) 

Lygosoma (Hinulia) isolepis foresti Kinghorn, J.R. (1932). Herpetological Notes. 4. Rec. Aust. 

Mus. 18: 355-363 [358]. Type data: Holotype AM R10001. Type Locality: Forrest [as Forest] 

River, East Kimberley, WA 

Mawsoniascincus foresti Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus isolepis Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 331] 

Glaphyromorphus isolepis Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 496-497] 

Glaphyromorphus isolepis Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

[p. 226-227] 


2 nd Edition [p. 242-243] 

Description: Similar in most respects to Mawsoniascincus isolepis, this is another small but 

robust species with well-developed limbs, long body and a moderately long, tapering tail that 

is round in section. When compared with M. isolepis, the overall colour and pattern in 

Mawsoniascincus foresti is somewhat subdued or paler in colour and less complex in pattern. 

The dorsum is a rich coppery brown, with a series of irregular blackish spots or small blotches 

more or less aligned longitudinally down the back. There are numerous small white spots on a 

dark brown base along the sides of the neck between the forelimbs and the ear. The upper 

lateral zone is heavily spotted with dark brown, and the lower lateral has fine white spotting 

present between the axilla and the groin. Ventrally adults are uniform pale creamish-white. 

Some significant features of this species’ morphology are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 

25-32 rows at mid-body; mid-dorsal and mid-ventral scales subequal; parietals in contact 

behind the interparietal; prefrontal not contacting first preocular; prefrontals usually separated, 

but sometimes in narrow contact; supranasals absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; earopening 

present and conspicuous, and equal to or larger than the nasal scale; ear lobules 

absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; supralabials 6-8 (usually 7); postmental contacting a 

single infralabial on each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that nearly meet or just 

overlap when adpressed; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 

19-25, divided basally. Attains a maximum total length of around 180 mm., and a snout-vent 

length of about 70 mm. Variation in this species' morphology suggests that it may be 

composite. 

47


Distribution: Known from northern and north-western Australia, from the East Kimberley 

Division in far northern Western Australia and across much of the adjacent Northern Territory 

and into western and northern Queensland. 

Habitat: Inhabits well-vegetated mesic tropical woodland and monsoon forest refuges with 

deep ground litter, along the verges of water courses with and without rock outcrops. The 

Type Locality of Forrest River (north of Wyndham) enters Cambridge Gulf and represents a 

tropical savannah habitat with numerous monsoon forest refuges and rocky hills - habitats 

which also occur widely across the far north of the Northern Territory. 

Biology/Ecology: A terrestrial and largely crepuscular and nocturnal species that forages 

amongst heavily shaded, thick ground litter on sandy or loamy soil usually within a few metres 

of a watercourse of some sort or near shaded rocky outcrops. This species may be found 

active during the day beneath the cover of ground vegetation and leaf-litter, usually emerges 

late afternoon and early evening to forage on the surface. It prefers refuges that provide a 

fairly humid microclimate, and shelters in abandoned burrows, under rocks, in crevices, 

beneath deep ground litter or under rotting logs, but its habitat is usually drier and more 

exposed than that of its close relative M. douglasi with which it is broadly sympatric in the far 

north of the Northern Territory. 

Survival Status: Protected under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (as amended), the 

Qld Nature Conservation Act (1992) [see also the Qld Nature Conservation (Wildlife) 

Regulation Act (1994)] and the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (2007). 

Regarded as common. 

Etymology: The name ‘foresti’ refers to the Type Locality - the Forrest River, East Kimberleys, 

Western Australia. 

Mawsoniascincus harwoodi (Wells and Wellington, 1985) comb. nov. 

Glaphyromorphus harwoodi Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 

Herp. Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [30] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 

1985]. Type data: Holotype NTM R3465. Type Locality: Brunette Downs Station, Barkly 

Tablelands, NT. 




[p. 226-227] 

Glaphyromorphus isolepis Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [Pp.128-129] 


2 nd Edition [p. 242-243] 

Description: An elongate member of the Mawsoniascincus isolepis group readily identified by 

its mostly unpatterned uniform pale brown colouration, and very long tail - which is about 3 

times the SVL. 

Distribution: Known only from the Barkly Tablelands of the Northern Territory. 

Habitat: Tropical savanna grasslands and sparse shrubland on black cracking soil plains. 

Biology/Ecology: An inhabitant of leaf-litter and humus beneath shrubs over deep cracking 

soils. Believed to be oviparous. Feeds on small invertebrates. 


(2007). 

Etymology: The name 'harwoodi' honours Australo-English naturalist Mr Stephen Harwood, at 

the time of description, a resident of Perth, Western Australia. 

Mawsoniascincus isolepis (Boulenger, 1887) 

Lygosoma isolepis Boulenger, G.A. (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum 


Syntypes BMNH 1946.8.3.45-46, BMNH 1946.8.17.14, whereabouts unknown. Type Locality: 

Nickol Bay and Swan River, WA (the latter in error, see Storr, G.M. (1967). The genus 

Sphenomorphus (Lacertilia: Scincidae) in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. J. R. 

Soc. West. Aust. 50: 10-20) [Lectotype designated by Wells and Wellington (1985) as BMNH 

1946.8.17.14 - from Nickol Bay, WA] 

Sphenomorphus isolepis Swanson, 1976 - Lizards of Australia [p. 27] 

Glaphyromorphus isolepis Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 95]. 

48


Mawsoniascincus isolepis Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 


1985]. 




[Pp. 226-227] 

Glaphyromorphus isolepis Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [Pp.128-129] 


2 nd Edition [p. 242-243] 

Description: This is a moderately slender but robust skink with a long tapering tail that is 

round in section. The base body colour is light orange or yellowish-brown over the head, body 

and tail, without any sharp line of demarcation between the dorsal and lateral zones unlike its 

close relative M. douglasi. Pattern comprises numerous darker brown or blackish flecks or 

short dashes over the dorsal part of the body and basal part of the tail; sometimes the darker 

flecking may have a longitudinal alignment. The lateral of the body is the same as the 

dorsum; however, the flecking is denser, resulting in a slightly darker brown upper lateral 

zone. The limbs and original tail are speckled or flecked with dark brown. The lateral area of 

the neck is darker brown with scattered white dots, and the labials are creamish, strongly 

edged with brown, the brown barring sometimes extending slightly under the lower jaw. 

Ventrally creamish-white. Some significant features of this species' morphology are: body 

scales smooth and shiny, in 25-32 rows at mid-body; mid-dorsal and mid-ventral scales 

subequal; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal not contacting first preocular; 

prefrontals usually separated, but sometimes in narrow contact; supranasals absent; nasals 

separated; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present and conspicuous, and equal to or larger than 

the nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 7 supralabials; 

postmental contacting a single infralabial on each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that 

nearly meet or just overlap when adpressed; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae 

beneath 4th toe 19-25, divided basally. Attains a maximum total length of around 180 mm. 


Distribution: Traditionally regarded as occurring as a number of isolated populations over a 

large part of northern Australia, ranging from Exmouth Gulf in north-western Western 

Australia, through the Kimberley region and into the northern sector of the Northern Territory. 

However, in this work, I restrict Mawsoniascincus isolepis sensu stricto to a relatively small 

area in north-western Australia extending from Exmouth Gulf to Port Headland, and sparsely 

through the adjacent north-western Pilbara region. I regard the population inhabiting the 

Kimberleys of WA and the adjacent NT and into the Gulf country of western Queensland as 

being referable to Mawsoniascincus foresti. 

Habitat: This secretive species prefers denser areas of tropical savanna woodland or riparian 

habitats around perennial and non-perennial streams. Oviparous. Feeds on small 

invertebrates. 

Biology/Ecology: A terrestrial and largely crepuscular species that forages amongst heavily 

shaded, thick ground litter on sandy or loamy soil usually within a few metres of a 

watercourse of some sort or near shaded rocky outcrops. This species may become nocturnal 

in the early evening during warmer weather. It prefers refuges that provide a fairly humid 

microclimate, and shelters in abandoned burrows, under rocks, in crevices, beneath deep 

ground litter or under rotting logs. 


Etymology: The name 'isolepis' means 'equal scale' in reference to the uniform size of the 

body scales in this species. 

Opacitascincus Wells and Wellington, 1985 

Opacitascincus Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. Suppl. 

Ser. 1: 1-61 [36] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 1985]. Type 

Species: Lygosoma crassicaudum Duméril and Bibron, 1851 by original designation. 

Diagnosis: A genus of small cryptozoic lizards of the family Scincidae from northern Australia, 

most closely related to the genus Glaphyromorphus and readily diagnosed by the following 

combination of characters: head shields regular, not fragmented; snout more strongly pointed 

49


and head not as deep than in Glaphyromorphus; head barely distinct from neck; body scales 

smooth and glossy, in 20-24 rows at mid-body; mid-dorsal scales about the same size as midventrals 

(vs mid-dorsal scales conspicuously broader and much larger than mid-ventral scales 

in the genera Glaphyromorphus and Serenitas); paravertebrals similar in size to adjacent 

dorsal scales (vs paravertebrals broader than adjacent body scales in Serenitas); nasals 

separated; rostral contacts frontonasal; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal 

contacting first preocular (vs prefrontal not contacting first preocular in Serenitas); prefrontals 

separated (vs prefrontals usually separated, but occasionally in narrow contact in Serenitas); 

supranasals absent; supralabials 6-8; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present but small and 

rounded in shape, and much larger than the nostril (vs ear-opening present but tiny, round, 

and not as large as the nasal scale in Glaphyromorphus, or ear-opening present and 

conspicuous, and equal to or larger than the nasal scale in Mawsoniascincus, or ear-opening 

more elliptical and about as large as nasal in the genus Serenitas); anterior ear lobules 

absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; postmental contacting one or two infralabials on each 

side (vs postmental usually contacting only one infralabial on each side in Glaphyromorphus 

and Mawsoniascincus); well-developed but tiny pentadactyl limbs, that are greatly separated 

when adpressed (vs small limbs that are separated by about 3 limb-lengths when adpressed 

in Glaphyromorphus, or large limbs in contact or overlapping when adpressed in 

Mawsoniascincus, or large limbs that do not contact or overlap when adpressed - but only 

separated by about one limb length in the genus Serenitas); 4th toe much longer than 3rd; 

subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 15-22 smooth and entire (vs basally divided subdigital 

lamellae in Mawsoniascincus). Presacral vertebrae 29-32. Oviparous Attains a maximum total 

length of around 145 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 55 mm. 

Etymology: From the Latin, ‘Opacitas’ meaning shade, and scincus for lizard, used in 

reference to the shady, damp microhabitats used by these species of skinks. 

Content: Opacitascincus arnhemicus (Storr, 1967); Opacitascincus cracens (Greer, 1985) 

comb. nov.; Opacitascincus crassicaudus (Dumeril and Dumeril, 1851); and Opacitascincus 

darwiniensis (Storr, 1967); and Opacitascincus pumilus (Boulenger, 1887) comb. nov. 

Opacitascincus arnhemicus (Storr, 1967) 

Sphenomorphus crassicaudus arnhemicus Storr, G.M. (1967). The genus Sphenomorphus 

(Lacertilia: Scincidae) in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. J. R. Soc. West. Aust. 

50: 10-20 [18]. Type data: Holotype WAM R13513. Type Locality: Yirrkala, NT [12º15'S 

136º52'E]. 

Patheticoscincus arnhemicus Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 101]. 

Opacitascincus arnhemicus Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus arnhemicus Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 325] 

Glaphyromorphus darwiniensis arnhemicus Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of 

Australia [p. 492] 

Glaphyromorphus crassicaudus arnhemicus Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to 

Reptiles of Australia [p. 224-225] 

Glaphyromorphus crassicaudus arnhemicus Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to 

Reptiles of Australia 2 nd Edition [p. 242-243] 

Description: This is a close relative of Opacitascincus pumilus and Opacitascincus 

crassicaudus, being of a similar slender body form and scalation. The base body colour is 

pale light brown, greyish-brown or chocolate brown over the head, body and tail. A pattern is 

usually absent, with the whole dorsum of the lizard uniform immaculate brown, unlike in O. 

crassicaudus where a dark vertebral stripe or dark paravertebral lines are usually present. 

Ventrally, creamish, occasionally with fine brownish flecking under the throat and tail. Some 

significant features of this species' morphology are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 20-22 

rows at mid-body; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal contacting first 

preocular; prefrontals separated; supranasals absent; supralabials 5-7; nasals separated; 

supraoculars 4; ear-opening present but small and rounded in shape, and larger than the 

nostril; anterior ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; postmental contacting 

one or two (usually 2) infralabials on each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that fail to 

overlap when adpressed; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 

50


18-22 smooth and entire. Attains a maximum total length of around 145 mm. and a snout-vent 

length of about 55 mm. 

Distribution: Restricted to the Arnhem Land region in the far northeast of the Northern 

Territory. 

Habitat: Occurs in a range of densely vegetated habitats, including monsoon forest, and 

riparian stands of savanna woodland often in association with rocky terrain. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a secretive, cryptozoic, burrowing species usually found in sandy 

loams under deep leaf-litter, or sheltering inside or under rotting logs in well-shaded stands of 

thick vegetation or even under rocks on soil. This skink usually favours sites that are refuges 

against the extreme tropical heat of its habitats - i.e. sites that retain a humid microclimate 

such as along the verges of watercourses, the bases of hills, rocky areas and of course 

stands of thick vegetation. Oviparous. Feeds on small invertebrates. 


(2007). Status unknown, but this species may be considered as potentially vulnerable due to 

its limited distribution and specialised habitat requirements. However, it is regarded as 

common. 

Etymology: The name 'arnhemicus' refers to the general area of the Type Locality for the 

species - Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. 

Opacitascincus cracens (Greer, 1985) comb. nov. 

Sphenomorphus cracens Greer, A.E. (1985). A new species of Sphenomorphus from northeastern 

Queensland. J. Herpet. 19(4): 469-473 [469]. Type data: Holotype QM J42714. Type 

Locality: 7.5 km W of Nettle Creek at Innot Hot Springs via Kennedy Highway, NE Qld. 

Sphenomorphus cracens Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 326] 

Glaphyromorphus cracens Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 492, 

497] 

Glaphyromorphus cracens Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

[p. 224-225] 

Glaphyromorphus cracens Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.128] 

Glaphyromorphus cracens Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 171] 

Glaphyromorphus cracens Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

2 nd Edition [p. 240-241] 

Description: This is a slender and somewhat depressed skink with a moderately long tapering 

tail that is round in section. The base body colour is pale light brown or greyish brown or 

darker brown over the head, body and tail. Pattern may be bold or much reduced, and when 

present is usually restricted to the mid-dorsal scales being dotted with blackish or darker 

brown in 2 to 4 thin longitudinal paravertebral lines along the dorsum of the body between the 

nape and the hips. In other specimens the back may be unpatterned, with head and neck 

area, as well as the tail finely spotted with black. The upper lateral zone between the snout 

and the hind limbs is usually black, with a sharp line of demarcation between that and the 

dorsal colour in some specimens, or rough-edged in others. The lower lateral part of the body 

is much paler greyish and includes a lower density of black or brown spotting and flecking, 

usually arranged as short striations - particularly on the neck, that become progressively 

larger posteriorly, eventually smoothly merging with the tail pattern; the sides of the original 

tail are densely mottled with dark brown, but regenerated tails are heavily speckled with black 

on grey. The sides of the head are speckled or flecked with blackish, and the labials are 

boldly edged with black also. Ventrally, creamish to yellowish, with fine black spotting under 

the tail, and sometimes lines under the throat formed by thin dark edging to the scales. Some 

significant features of this species' morphology are: head shields regular, not fragmented; 

body scales smooth and shiny, in 20-22 rows at mid-body; paravertebral scales 72-87 in 

females, 66-83 in males; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal contacting first 

preocular; prefrontals separated; supranasals absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; earopening 

present and minute, about twice the diameter of the nostril; anterior ear lobules 

absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; postmental contacting two infralabials on each side; 

reduced, but well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when adpressed; 4th toe 

much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 13-17 smooth and entire. Presacral 

vertebrae number 31-33 (32-33 in females, 31-32 in males). Attains a maximum total length of 

around 130 mm. and a maximum snout-vent length of about 60 mm. Although there is no 

51


significant difference in SVL between the sexes, females do tend to have a longer body 

length, and both sexes tend to become more elongate as they age. 

Distribution: Confined to a small area in north-eastern Queensland, between Wyandotte 

Creek, Chillagoe and Mt Mulligan on lower Cape York Peninsula. 

Habitat: Inhabits dry vine thickets, open tropical woodland, and in open sclerophyll forest, 

between 400 to 1000 m. altitude. 

Biology/Ecology: A secretive and crepuscular species that may be found sheltering beneath 

thick leaf-litter, logs and small rocks on loose sandy soil in well-shaded parts of thickly 

vegetated undulating areas. Feeds on small invertebrates. Oviparous. 



be considered as potentially vulnerable due to its limited distribution and specialised habitat 

requirements. 

Etymology: The name 'cracens' is from the Latin and means ‘neat or graceful’ and alludes to 

the body form of the species. 

Opacitascincus crassicaudus (Dumeril and Dumeril, 1851) 

Lygosoma crassicaudum Duméril, A.M.C. and Duméril, A. (1851). Catalogue Méthodique de 

la Collection des Reptiles. Paris: Mus. Hist. Nat. iv 224 pp. [172] [pl. 4 fig. 1 in Jacquinot, J. 

and Guichenot, M.A. (1853). Reptiles et Poissons. In, Dumont d'Urville, M.J. (ed.) Voyage au 

Pôle Sud et dans l'Astrolabe et la Zélée, éxecuté pendant les années 1837-40. Zoologie 3 1- 

28. Paris: Gide et Baudry; as L. crassicaudum]. Type data: Holotype MNHP 2979. Type 

Locality: Oceania (original description cites Australia and Oceania). 

Patheticoscincus crassicaudus Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 

101]. 

Opacitascincus crassicaudus Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus crassicaudus Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 327] 

Glaphyromorphus crassicaudus Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 491- 

492] 

Glaphyromorphus crassicaudus crassicaudus Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to 

Reptiles of Australia [p. 224-225] 

Glaphyromorphus crassicaudus Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.128] 

Glaphyromorphus crassicaudus crassicaudus Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to 

Reptiles of Australia 2 nd Edition [p. 240-241] 

Description: This is a slender, and somewhat depressed skink with a very long tapering tail 

that is round in section. The base body colour is pale light brown, yellowish-brown or 

chocolate brown over the head, body and tail. The dorsal pattern may be bold or absent, and 

when present is restricted to the two paravertebral scale rows being dotted or blotched with 

blackish or darker brown in varying density, forming two thin longitudinal paravertebral lines 

along the dorsum of the body and continuing along the tail as two rows of small blackish dots. 

In some individuals these paravertebral lines may coalesce and form a single narrow dark 

vertebral stripe, or fragment to create a narrow blotched or spotted vertebral line. There is a 

blackish canthal streak that runs through the eye and over the temporal area, by then 

broadened to form a dark upper lateral zone of the body and tail. This upper lateral area is 

usually wide, black or very dark brown and may be densely marked with fine white dots, or 

just present as a continuous dark stripe along the body and tail. There is usually a sharp line 

of demarcation between this lateral stripe and the dorsal colour in some specimens, or the 

boundary may be indefinite in others. The lower lateral part of the body is much paler greyish 

brown and includes a lower density of black or brown spotting and flecking. The sides of the 

head are finely speckled or flecked with darker brown, and the labials are boldly edged with 

darker brown also. Ventrally, creamish to yellowish, occasionally with fine brownish flecking 

under the throat and tail. Some significant features of this species' morphology are: body 

scales smooth and shiny, in 20-24 rows at mid-body; presacral vertebrae 29-32; parietals in 

contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal contacting first preocular; prefrontals separated; 

supranasals absent; supralabials 6-8 (usually 7); nasals separated; supraoculars 4; earopening 

present but small and rounded in shape, and larger than the nostril; anterior ear 

lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; postmental contacting one infralabial on each 

52


side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when adpressed; 4th toe much 

longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 19-22 smooth and entire. Attains a 


Distribution: Known from about Chillagoe in far north Queensland, through much of eastern 

Cape York Peninsula to some of the islands of Torres Strait. Also occurs in New Guinea. 

Habitat: Occurs in a range of densely vegetated habitats, including tropical rainforest, 

monsoon forest, and riparian stands of savanna woodland. Often associated with rocky areas 

as well. 



thick vegetation or even under rocks on soil. This skink usually favours sites that are refuges 

against the extreme tropical heat of its habitats - i.e. sites that retain a humid microclimate 

such as the verges of watercourses, the bases of hills, rocky areas and of course stands of 

thick vegetation. Oviparous, producing up to 4 eggs in a clutch. Feeds on small invertebrates. 



Etymology: The name 'crassicaudus' means ‘fat-tail’, and probably refers to the rounded form 

of the tail in this and similar species. 

Opacitascincus darwiniensis (Storr, 1967) 

Sphenomorphus crassicaudus darwiniensis Storr, G.M. (1967). The genus Sphenomorphus 

(Lacertilia: Scincidae) in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. J. R. Soc. West. Aust. 

50: 10-20 [19]. Type data: Holotype WAM R23624. Type Locality: Howard Springs (15 airmiles 

E of Darwin), NT [12º28'S 131º03'E]. 

Patheticoscincus darwiniensis Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 

101]. 

Opacitascincus darwiniensis Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus darwiniensis Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 327] 

Glaphyromorphus darwiniensis darwiniensis Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of 

Australia [p. 492] 

Glaphyromorphus darwiniensis Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Glaphyromorphus darwiniensis Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 172] 

Glaphyromorphus darwiniensis Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Description: This is a slender, and somewhat depressed skink with a moderately long 

tapering tail that is round in section. The base body colour is pale light brown, greyish-brown 

or chocolate brown over the head, body and tail. A dorsal pattern may be present or absent. If 

absent the whole dorsum of the lizard is uniform immaculate brown. If present, a pattern may 

consist of scattered dark brown flecking over the dorsum in varying density. The commonest 

pattern consists of flecking that forms two distinct thin, longitudinal paravertebral lines along 

the dorsum of the body and these may continue along the anterior part of the tail as two rows 

of small blackish dots. In some individuals these paravertebral lines may coalesce and form a 

single narrow dark blackish vertebral stripe, or fragment to create a narrow blotched or 

spotted vertebral line. There is a weak brownish canthal streak that runs through the eye and 

over the temporal area, and onto the dorsolateral of the body to form an ill-defined dark upper 

lateral zone of the body and tail. This upper lateral area is usually marginally darker brown 

than the dorsum and is usually densely marked with darker and paler flecks and dots, 

sometimes in a variegated pattern. The lower lateral part of the body is much paler greyish 

brown and includes a lower density of brownish flecking. The sides of the head in patterned 

specimens may be finely speckled or flecked with darker brown, and the labials are creamishwhite, 

boldly edged with darker brown also. Ventrally, creamish, occasionally with fine 

brownish flecking under the throat and tail. Some significant features of this species' 

morphology are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 20-22 rows at mid-body; parietals in 

contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal contacting first preocular; prefrontals separated; 

supranasals absent; supralabials 5-7; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present 

but small, depressed and rounded in shape, and larger than the nostril; anterior ear lobules 

53


absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; postmental contacting one or two (usually 2) 

infralabials on each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when 

adpressed; 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 15-18 smooth 

and entire. Attains a maximum total length of around 145 mm. and a snout-vent length of 

about 55 mm. 

Distribution: Known from the far north of the Kimberleys in Western Australia, and into the 

north of the Northern Territory. 

Habitat: Occurs in a range of densely vegetated habitats, including monsoon forest, and 

riparian stands of savanna woodland. Often associated with rocky areas as well. 



thick vegetation or even under rocks on soil. It can be active both during the day and evening, 

but such activity is largely confined to burrowing through humus and loamy soils under 

suitable cover. This skink usually favours sites that are refuges against the extreme tropical 

heat of its habitats - i.e. sites that retain a humid microclimate such as the litter-covered 

verges of watercourses, the bases of hills, rocky areas and of course stands of thick 

vegetation. Oviparous, producing about 4-5 eggs in a clutch. Feeds on small invertebrates. 

Survival Status: Protected under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (as amended) and 

the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (2007). Regarded as common. 

Etymology: The name 'darwiniensis' refers to the general area of the Type Locality for the 

species - Darwin, NT. 

Opacitascincus pumilus (Boulenger, 1887) comb. nov. 

Lygosoma ornatum Macleay, W. (1877). The lizards of the Chevert Expedition. Proc. Linn. 

Soc. N.S.W. 2: 60-69 [64] [1878 on title page; junior homonym of Tiliqua ornata Gray, 1843]. 

Type data: holotype AM R31848. Type locality: Endeavour River, Qld. 

Lygosoma pumilum Boulenger, G.A. (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum 


Syntypes BMNH 1946.8.3.34, BMNH 1946.8.15.63. Type Locality: Cape York, QLD. 

Glaphyromorphus pumilus Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 95]. 

Glaphyromorphus ornatum Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus pumilus Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 328] 

Glaphyromorphus pumilus Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 497-498] 

Glaphyromorphus pumilus Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

[p. 228-229] 

Glaphyromorphus pumilus Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.130] 

Glaphyromorphus pumilus Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

2 nd Edition [p. 244-245] 

Description: The smallest member of the genus, this is a slender, and somewhat more 

depressed skink, but still with a very long tapering tail that is round in section. The base body 

colour is pale light brown, greyish brown, yellowish-brown or coppery brown over the head, 

body and tail. Pattern may be bold or much reduced, and when present is restricted to the 

scales being dotted with blackish or darker brown in varying density, with those on the middorsal 

scale rows being the largest and forming two thin longitudinal paravertebral lines along 

the dorsum of the body and tail. In some individuals these paravertebral lines may coalesce 

and form a single narrow vertebral stripe. The upper lateral zone is densely marked with fine 

blackish or dark brown spots, and in effect is almost completely black in some specimens, 

with a sharp line of demarcation between that and the dorsal colour in some specimens, or 

rough-edged in others. The lower lateral part of the body is much paler greyish brown and 

includes a lower density of black or brown spotting and flecking, but the sides of the tail are 

densely flecked with brown. The sides of the head are speckled or flecked with darker brown, 

and the labials are boldly edged with darker brown also. Ventrally, creamish to yellowish, with 

fine brownish spotting under the tail. Some significant features of this species' morphology 

are: head shields regular, not fragmented; body scales smooth and shiny, in 20-22 rows at 

mid-body; presacral vertebrae 32-36; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal 

contacting first preocular; prefrontals separated; supranasals absent; nasals separated; 

supraoculars 4; ear-opening present but very small, not as large as the nasal scale; anterior 

54


ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; postmental contacting one infralabial on 

each side; tiny, but well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when adpressed; 4th 

toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 16-20 smooth and entire. 

Attains a maximum total length of around 160 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 50 mm. 

Distribution: Known from only a few locations on eastern Cape York Peninsula, to about as far 

south as Cairns, Queensland. 

Habitat: Inhabits tropical savanna woodland or monsoon rainforest, usually in association with 

rock outcroppings. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a burrowing or cryptozoic species that constructs long tunnels in 

loamy soil beneath flat slabs of rock in shaded positions. It is oviparous, producing up to three 

eggs in a clutch, feeds on small invertebrates. 


Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation Act (1994)]. Regarded as common wherever it 

occurs. 

Etymology: The name 'pumilus' means ‘dwarf’, and refers to the small overall size of the 

species. 

Patheticoscincus Wells and Wellington, 1984 

Patheticoscincus Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synop. Class Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 1(3-4): 

73-129 [101] [1983 on title page] - Type Species: Lygosoma australis Gray, 1839 by original 

designation. Patheticoscincus is available even though it is based upon a Type Species that 

has been rejected prior to 1961 (see Loveridge, 1934 - Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 77: 243-383). 

Technically, Lygosoma australis had never been rejected as a junior secondary homonym of 

Tiliqua australis Gray, 1838, until the actions of Cogger, Cameron and Cogger (1983, p.184) 

who arbitrary treated Lygosoma australis Gray, 1839 as a junior secondary homonym of 

Tiliqua australis Gray, 1838, which allowed the replacement of Lygosoma australis by the 

next available name - Hinulia gracilipes Steindachner, 1870 [see Herpetologische Notizen (II). 

Reptilien gesammelt Während einer Reise in Sengambien. Sitzungsberichte der Akademie 

der Wissenschaften in Wien, 62: 326-349 (p.342, pl. 5])]. 

Diagnosis: As presently defined, a monotypic genus of small crepuscular Australian Scincid 

lizards, said to being close to the genera Glaphyromorphus or Hemiergis, but readily 

separated from all genera by the following combination of characters: Head scales regular, 

not fragmented; very elongate body, with a small, slightly depressed head, a pointed snout 

that is rounded in profile, and a long tapering tail (more than 3 times SVL) that is round in 

section (vs a relatively shorter more robust body and shorter tail - less than twice SVL - in 

Glaphyromorphus); body scales smooth and glossy; mid-dorsal scales about the same size 

as mid-ventrals (vs mid-dorsal scales conspicuously broader and much larger than midventral 

scales in Glaphyromorphus); paravertebrals similar in size to adjacent dorsal scales; 

nasals separated; supranasals absent; rostral contacts frontonasal; prefrontals usually 

separated; prefrontal contacting first preocular; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; 

nuchals 2-4; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present and conspicuous, much larger than the 

nasal scale (vs ear-opening absent in Hemiergis, and ear-opening present but tiny, round, 

and not as large as the nasal scale in Glaphyromorphus); ear lobules absent; lower eyelid 

movable and scaly (vs lower eyelid with clear palpebral disk in the genus Hemiergis); 

presuboculars 3; supralabials 7 (vs 6-8 in Opacitascincus); supraciliaries 5-7; postmental 

contacting two infralabials on each side (vs postmental usually contacting only one infralabial 

on each side in Glaphyromorphus, and postmental contacting one or two infralabials on each 

side in Opacitascincus); tiny, but well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when 

adpressed by over four limb-lengths (vs well-developed but small pentadactyl limbs, that are 

greatly separated when adpressed in Opacitascincus, or small limbs that are separated by 

about 3 limb-lengths when adpressed in Glaphyromorphus, or large limbs in contact or 

overlapping when adpressed in Mawsoniascincus, or large limbs that do not contact or 

overlap when adpressed - but only separated by about one limb length in the genus 

Serenitas); 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe smooth, usually 

entire but in some partly divided. Attains a maximum total length of around 200 mm. and a 

snout-vent length of about 80 mm. Ovoviviparous - producing live young (vs oviparous in the 

genera Glaphyromorphus and Opacitascincus). 

Etymology: Patheticoscincus is derived from the Greek, ‘pathetikos’, meaning ‘sensuous’, and 

the Latin ‘scincus’ = skink. 

Content: Patheticoscincus gracilipes (Steindachner, 1870). 

55


Patheticoscincus gracilipes (Steindachner, 1870) comb. nov. 

Lygosoma australis Gray, J.E. (1839). Catalogue of the slender-tongued saurians, with 

descriptions of many new genera and species. (contd.). Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 2: 331-337 [332] 

[1839 on title page; junior homonym of Tiliqua australis Gray, 1838 [see Cogger, Cameron 

and Cogger (1983: p.184); Type data: Neotype WAM R24980. Subsequent designation: Storr, 

G.M. (1967). The genus Sphenomorphus (Lacertilia: Scincidae) in Western Australia and the 

Northern Territory. J. R. Soc. West. Aust. 50: 10-20. Type Locality: Albany, WA. 

Hinulia gracilipes Steindachner, F. 1870. Herpetologische Notizen (II). Reptilien gesammelt 

Während einer Reise in Sengambien. Sitzungsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaften in 

Wien 62: 326-349 [342, pl. 5]. Type data: Syntypes NHMW 10141 2 specimens; syntype 

status implied in Museum records. Type Locality: ‘Australia, perhaps Rockhampton or Cape 

York, Qld’ [in error]. 

Patheticoscincus australis Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 101]. 

Patheticoscincus australis Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus australis Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 326] 

Glaphyromorphus gracilipes Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 495] 

Glaphyromorphus gracilipes Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Hemiergis gracilipes Bush, Maryan, Browne-Cooper and Robinson, 2007 - Reptiles and Frogs 

in the Bush: Southwestern Australia [p. 198-200] 

Glaphyromorphus gracilipes Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of 


Description: This is a moderate-sized, very elongate skink with a slightly depressed head, and 

long body and long tapering tail that is round in section. The base body colour is rich 

chocolate-brown or sometimes pale light brown on the dorsum of the head, body and tail. The 

dorsal pattern may be bold or absent, and when present is restricted to the two mid-dorsal 

scale rows being dotted or blotched with blackish or darker brown in varying density, forming 

two thin longitudinal paravertebral lines along the dorsum of the body and continuing along 

the tail as small blackish dots. In some individuals these paravertebral lines may coalesce 

and form a single narrow dark vertebral stripe, or fragment to create a narrow blotched or 

spotted vertebral line. There is a blackish canthal streak that runs through the eye and over 

the temporal area, to form an obscure dark, ragged-edged upper lateral zone of the body and 

tail. This upper lateral area is usually narrow, black or very dark brown and may enclose a 

regular series of white spots. The lower lateral part of the body is much paler greyish-white 

and includes heavy black and white spotting and flecking, forming a fine reticulum along the 

entire body and tail. The sides of the head are densely speckled or flecked with black or 

darker brown on grey, and the labials are white, boldly edged with black. Ventrally, the body is 

pale yellowish, the throat white (occasionally with fine brownish flecking) and the tail whitish to 

greenish-yellow with black blotching. Some significant features of this species' morphology 

are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 19-22 rows at mid-body; parietals in contact behind the 

interparietal; prefrontals usually separated; prefrontal contacting first preocular; nuchals 2-4; 

supranasals absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present and conspicuous, 

much larger than the nasal scale; ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; 

presuboculars 3; supralabials 7; supraciliaries 5-7; postmental contacting two infralabials on 

each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when adpressed; 4th toe 

much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 16-23 smooth, divided or entire. 

Attains a maximum total length of around 200 mm., and a snout-vent length of about 80 mm. 

Variation in morphology suggests that this species may be composite. 

Distribution: Confined to the extreme south-west of Western Australia. 

Habitat: Inhabits dense coastal heath and temperate wet sclerophyll forest. 

Biology/Ecology: This is a small burrowing species that is essentially crepuscular or nocturnal 

in habits and occupies sites that are moisture refuges such as areas of denser vegetation, the 

base of hills or rocky areas, and along the verges of water bodies such as creeks, marshes or 

swamps. It shelters under deep leaf-litter, inside or under rotting logs, down abandoned ant 

nests, and beneath small stones on sandy or loamy soil, into which it readily burrows when 

56


disturbed. Ovoviviparous, producing up to 6 live young in a brood. Feeds on small 

invertebrates. 


Status unknown, but this species may be considered as potentially vulnerable due to its 

limited distribution and specialised habitat requirements, but regarded as locally common in 

most areas. 

Etymology: The name 'gracilipes', means 'slender-foot' in reference to the weak limbs of the 

species. 

Rhiannodon gen. nov. 

Type Species: Lygosoma mjobergi Lonnberg and Andersson, 1915 [Results of Dr E. 

Mjoberg's Swedish Scientific Expeditions to Australia 1910-1913. VII. Reptiles collected in 

northern Queensland. K. Svenska Vetensk.-Akad. Handl., 52 (7): 1-9] 

Diagnosis: A genus of somewhat elongate, but solidly-built lizards of the family Scincidae 

from north-east Australian rainforests, and readily separated from all other genera by the 

following combination of characters: tail very long, fragile, tapering and round in section; head 

shields regular, not fragmented; body scales smooth and glossy; mid-dorsal scales not 

conspicuously broader and larger than mid-ventral scales (vs mid-dorsal scales 

conspicuously broader and much larger than mid-ventral scales in the genus 

Glaphyromorphus); supranasals absent; nasals separated; prefrontals usually separated; 

prefrontal not contacting first preocular (vs prefrontal contacting first preocular in 

Glaphyromorphus); parietals in contact behind the interparietal; supraoculars 4; ear opening 

present but small, about as large as the nasal scale (vs ear-opening not as large as the nasal 

scale in Glaphyromorphus); ear lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; supralabials 

6 (vs 7 in Glaphyromorphus); postmental contacting one infralabial on each side; welldeveloped 

pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when adpressed - separated by about two 

forearm lengths (vs much smaller limbs separated by at least 3 limb-lengths when adpressed 

in Glaphyromorphus, or large limbs in contact or overlapping when adpressed in 

Mawsoniascincus, or large adpressed limbs that do not contact or overlap - but only separate 

by about one limb length in Serenitas, or very diminutive limbs much more greatly separated 

when adpressed in Opacitascincus and Patheticoscincus); 4th toe much longer than 3rd; 

subdigital lamellae smooth to bluntly keeled and entire. Oviparous. 

Etymology: 'Rhiannodon' is from Rhiannon, a Celtic fertility goddess. 

Content: Rhiannodon mjobergi (Lonnberg and Andersson, 1915) comb. nov. 

Rhiannodon mjobergi (Lonnberg and Andersson, 1915) comb. nov. 

Lygosoma mjobergi Lönnberg, E. and Andersson, L.G. (1915). Results of Dr. E. Mjöberg's 

Swedish Scientific Expeditions to Australia 1910-1913. VII. Reptiles collected in northern 

Queensland. K. Sven. Vetensk.-Akad. Handl. 52(7): 1-9 [6]. Type data: syntypes NHRM 

3217-8. Type Locality: Malanda and Cedar Creek, N Qld. 

Lygosoma darlingtoni Loveridge, A. (1933). New scincid lizards of the genera 

Sphenomorphus, Rhodona and Lygosoma from Australia. Occ. Pap. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 8: 

95-100 [98]. Type data: Holotype QM J5806. Type Locality: Millaa Millaa, Qld. 

Concinnia mjobergi Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 88]. 

Concinnia mjobergi Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp. 


1985]. 

Sphenomorphus mjobergi Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 328] 

Glaphyromorphus mjobergi Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [p. 495-496] 

Glaphyromorphus mjobergi Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

[p. 226-227] 

Glaphyromorphus mjobergi Wilson, 2005 - Field Guide Rept. Qld [p.129] 

Glaphyromorphus mjobergi Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 

2 nd Edition [p. 244-245] 

Description: This is another skink with an elongate, but robust body form, and a very long, 

fragile, tapering tail that is round in section. The base colour is rich reddish-brown with some 

specimens without any markings and others with each dorsal scale having a small darker 

brownish central spot or streak. The dorsolateral part of the neck and forebody has an 

57


alternating series of bold creamish and brownish blotches. The lower lateral of the body is 

slightly lighter (greyish-brown) in base colour than the dorsum, with numerous scattered 

blackish flecks being present. The tail is weakly flecked with black and dark brown, and 

overall may appear slightly paler than the body, the limbs are darker brown with obscure 

darker variegations; the labials are obscurely barred with creamish and dark brown. Ventrally, 

whitish under body, but the scales under the throat may be edged with brown, and the 

posterior part of the tail may be heavily flecked with darker brown. Some significant features 

of this species' morphology are: head shields regular, not fragmented; body scales smooth 

and shiny, in 22-24 rows at mid-body; parietals in contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal 

not contacting first preocular; prefrontals usually separated; supranasals absent; nasals 

separated; supraoculars 4; ear-opening present, about as large as the nasal scale; ear 

lobules absent; lower eyelid movable and scaly; supralabials 6; postmental contacting one 

infralabial on each side; well-developed pentadactyl limbs, that fail to overlap when adpressed 

(separated by about two forearm lengths); 4th toe much longer than 3rd; subdigital lamellae 

beneath 4th toe 12-15, smooth and entire. Attains a maximum total length of around 330 mm. 


Distribution: This species is only known from a very small area of north-eastern Queensland, 

centred upon the Atherton Tableland and Mt Bartle Frere south of Cairns. 

Habitat: Inhabits monsoon vine forest, or montane rainforest above 650 m altitude. 

Biology/Ecology: A secretive largely cryptozoic and essentially diurnal, terrestrial and 

crepuscular species that burrows amongst leaf-litter in rainforest, and shelters beneath rotting 

logs and piles of ground debris usually in well-shaded, moist conditions. Oviparous. Feeds 

only on small invertebrates. 



be considered as potentially vulnerable due to its limited distribution and specialised habitat 

requirements. Regarded by some researchers as a rare species. 

Etymology: The name 'mjobergi' honours the Swedish zoologist, Dr E. Mjoberg, who was in 

charge of the 1910-1913 Swedish Scientific Expeditions to Australia. 

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Williams, S.E. 2006 Vertebrates of the Wet Tropics Rainforests of Australia. Species 

Distribution and Biodiversity. Rainforest CRC, James Cook University, Cairns [Cooperative 

Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management; Pp. i-xii, 1-267] 

Wilson, E.E. 2001 Influences of Female Mate Choice and Male Behavioural Strategies on 

Paternity Success in the Southern Water Skink Eulamprus heatwolei: An Experimental and 

Molecular Approach. BSc (Honours) Thesis, Australian National University, Canberra 

Wilson, R.S. and Booth, D.T. 1998 Effect of tail loss on reproductive output and its 

ecological significance in the skink Eulamprus quoyii. Journal of Herpetology, 32 (1): 128-131 

Wilson, S.K. 2005 A Field Guide to Reptiles of Queensland. Reed New Holland, Sydney [Pp. 

1-256] 

Wilson, S.K. and Knowles, D.G. 1988 Australia's Reptiles - A Photographic Reference to the 

Terrestrial Reptiles of Australia. Collins, Melbourne [Pp. 1-447] 

Wilson, S.K. and Swan, G. 2003 A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. Reed New 

Holland, Sydney [Pp. 1-448] 

Wilson, S.K. and Swan, G. 2003. Reptiles of Australia. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 

New Jersey [Pp. 1-480] 

Wilson, S.K. and Swan, G. 2008 A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. Reed New 

Holland, Sydney [2 nd Edition; Pp. 1-512] 

Wilson, S.K. and Swan, G. 2009 What Lizard is That? Introducing Australian Lizards. Reed 

New Holland, Sydney [Pp. 1-184] 

Worrell, E. 1963 Reptiles of Australia: Crocodiles - Turtles - Tortoises - Lizards - Snakes. 

Describing all Australian species, their appearance, their haunts, their habits, with over 330 

illustrations, many in full colour. Angus and Robertson, Sydney [Pp. i-xv + 1-207] 

Worrell, E. 1966 Australian Snakes, Crocodiles, Tortoises, Turtles, Lizards. Angus and 

Robertson, Sydney [Pp. 1-64] 

Worrell, E. 1970 Reptiles of Australia: Crocodiles - Turtles - Tortoises - Lizards - Snakes. 

Describing their appearance, their habits, with over 330 illustrations, many in full colour. 

Angus and Robertson, Sydney [2nd Edition, without synonymic checklist; Pp. i-xv + 1-169] 

Zietz, F.R. 1920 Catalogue of Australian lizards. Records of the South Australian Museum, 

1 (3): 181-228 

93


Zweifel, R.G. 1980 Results of the Archbold Expeditions. No 103. Frogs and lizards from the 

Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 

165: 387-434 

[Bibliographic Note: Numerous other articles are known that mention species included in this 

paper, but only a selection have been cited in the above reference list. The author can 

provide bibliographic assistance with additional citations if required] 

Notice of Impending Taxonomic Study on some Extra-limital Sphenomorphines 

Depending upon which authority one considers the best fit, the genus Sphenomorphus can 

have only a few included species or numerous. Although somewhat less than in the past, the 

genus is still generally believed to include so many highly divergent species that it is 

untenable for this group to be seriously regarded as a single genus for much longer. As a 

start to the reclassification of Sphenomorphus, I am also currently considering the 

phylogenetic positions of at least the following species traditionally placed in that genus for a 

forthcoming paper on the group: Sphenomorphus abdictus Brown and Alcala, 1980; 

Sphenomorphus acutus (Peters, 1864); Sphenomorphus aesculeticola Inger, Lian, Lakim and 

Yambun, 2001; Sphenomorphus aignanus (Boulenger, 1898); Sphenomorphus alfredi 

(Boulenger, 1898); Sphenomorphus amblyplacodes (Vogt, 1932); Sphenomorphus annectens 

(Boulenger, 1897); Sphenomorphus anomalopus (Boulenger, 1890); Sphenomorphus anotus 

Greer, 1973; Sphenomorphus arborens (Taylor, 1917); Sphenomorphus assatus (Cope, 

1864); Sphenomorphus atrigularis (Stejneger, 1905); Sphenomorphus beauforti (De Jong, 

1927); Sphenomorphus beyeri (Taylor, 1922); Sphenomorphus bignelli Schmidt, 1932; 

Sphenomorphus biparietalis (Taylor, 1918); Sphenomorphus brunneus Greer and Parker, 

1974; Sphenomorphus buenloicus Darevsky and Nguyen Van Sang, 1983; Sphenomorphus 

buettikoferi (Lidth De Jeude, 1905); Sphenomorphus bukitensis Grismer, 2007; 

Sphenomorphus butleri (Boulenger, 1912); Sphenomorphus cameronicus (Smith, 1924); 

Sphenomorphus celebense (Muller, 1894); Sphenomorphus cherriei (Cope, 1893); 

Sphenomorphus cinereus Greer and Parker, 1974; Sphenomorphus concinnatus (Boulenger, 

1887); Sphenomorphus consobrinus (Peters and Doria, 1878); Sphenomorphus cophias 

(Boulenger, 1908); Sphenomorphus courcyanum (Annandale, 1912); Sphenomorphus coxi 

(Taylor, 1915); Sphenomorphus cranei (Schmidt, 1932); Sphenomorphus crassa Inger, Lian, 

Lakim and Yambun, 2001; Sphenomorphus cryptotis Darevsky, Orlov and Cuc, 2004; 

Sphenomorphus cumingi (Gray, 1845); Sphenomorphus cyanolaemus Inger and Hosmer, 

1965; Sphenomorphus darlingtoni Loveridge, 1945; Sphenomorphus decipiens (Boulenger, 

1894); Sphenomorphus derroyae (De Jong, 1927); Sphenomorphus devorator Darevsky, 

Orlov and Cuc, 2004; Sphenomorphus diwata Brown and Rabor, 1967; Sphenomorphus 

dorsicatenatus (Deraniyagala, 1953); Sphenomorphus dussumieri (Dumeril and Bibron, 

1839); Sphenomorphus fasciatus (Gray, 1845); Sphenomorphus florensis (Weber, 1890); 

Sphenomorphus forbesi (Boulenger, 1888); Sphenomorphus fragilis (Macleay, 1877); 

Sphenomorphus fragosus Greer and Parker, 1967; Sphenomorphus fuscolineatus Greer and 

Shea, 2004; Sphenomorphus grandisonae Taylor, 1962; Sphenomorphus granulatus 

(Boulenger, 1903); Sphenomorphus haasi Inger and Hosmer, 1965; Sphenomorphus hallieri 

(Lidth De Jeude, 1905); Sphenomorphus helenae (Cochran, 1927); Sphenomorphus incertus 

(Stuart, 1940); Sphenomorphus incognitus (Thompson, 1912); Sphenomorphus indicus 

(Gray, 1853); Sphenomorphus ishaki Grismer, 2006; Sphenomorphus jagori (Peters, 1864); 

Sphenomorphus jeudei (Boulenger, 1897); Sphenomorphus jobiensis (Meyer, 1874); 

Sphenomorphus kinabaluensis (Bartlett, 1895); Sphenomorphus kitangladensis Brown, 1995; 

Sphenomorphus knollmanae Brown, Ferner and Ruedas, 1995; Sphenomorphus kuehnei 

(Roux, 1910); Sphenomorphus langkawiensis Grismer, 2008; Sphenomorphus 

laterimaculatus Brown and Alcala, 1980; Sphenomorphus latifasciatus (Meyer, 1874); 

Sphenomorphus lawtoni Brown and Alcala, 1980; Sphenomorphus leptofasciatus Greer and 

Parker, 1974; Sphenomorphus leucospilos (Peters, 1872); Sphenomorphus lineopunctulatus 

Taylor, 1962; Sphenomorphus llanosi (Taylor, 1919); Sphenomorphus longicaudatus (De 

Rooij, 1915); Sphenomorphus loriae (Boulenger, 1897); Sphenomorphus louisiadensis 

94


(Boulenger, 1903); Sphenomorphus luzonense (Boulenger, 1894); Sphenomorphus 

maculatus (Blyth, 1853); Sphenomorphus maculicollus Bacon, 1967; Sphenomorphus 

maindroni (Sauvage, 1878); Sphenomorphus malayanum (Doria, 1888); Sphenomorphus 

megalops (Annandale, 1906); Sphenomorphus melanopogon (Dumeril and Bibron, 1839); 

Sphenomorphus meyeri (Doria, 1874); Sphenomorphus microtympanus Greer, 1973; 

Sphenomorphus mimicus Taylor, 1962; Sphenomorphus mimikanum (Boulenger, 1914); 

Sphenomorphus mindanensis (Taylor, 1915); Sphenomorphus minutus (Meyer, 1874); 

Sphenomorphus modigliani (Boulenger, 1895); Sphenomorphus moszkowskii (Vogt, 1912); 

Sphenomorphus muelleri (Schlegel, 1837); Sphenomorphus multisquamatus Inger, 1958; 

Sphenomorphus murudensis Smith, 1925; Sphenomorphus necopinatus (Brongersma, 1942); 

Sphenomorphus neuhaussi (Vogt, 1911); Sphenomorphus nigriventris (De Rooij, 1915); 

Sphenomorphus nigrolabris (Gunther, 1873); Sphenomorphus nigrolineata (Boulenger, 1897); 

Sphenomorphus oligolepis (Boulenger, 1914); Sphenomorphus papuae (Kinghorn, 1928); 

Sphenomorphus parvus (Boulenger, 1897); Sphenomorphus praesignis (Boulenger, 1900); 

Sphenomorphus pratti (Boulenger, 1903); Sphenomorphus puncticentralis Iskandar, 1994; 

Sphenomorphus rarus Myers and Donnelly, 1991; Sphenomorphus rufocaudatus Darevsky 

and Nguyen van Sang, 1983; Sphenomorphus sabanus Inger, 1958; Sphenomorphus 

sananus (Kopstein, 1926); Sphenomorphus sanctus (Dumeril and Bibron, 1839); 

Sphenomorphus sarasinorum (Boulenger, 1897); Sphenomorphus schlegeli (Dunn, 1927); 

Sphenomorphus schultzei (Vogt, 1911); Sphenomorphus scotophilus (Boulenger, 1900); 

Sphenomorphus scutatus (Peters, 1867); Sphenomorphus shelfordi (Boulenger, 1900); 

Sphenomorphus sibuensis Grismer, 2006; Sphenomorphus simus (Sauvage, 1879); 

Sphenomorphus solomonis Boulenger, 1887; Sphenomorphus steerei (Stejneger, 1908); 

Sphenomorphus stellatus (Boulenger, 1900); Sphenomorphus stickeli Loveridge, 1948; 

Sphenomorphus striatopunctatum (Boulenger, 1907); Sphenomorphus striolatus (Weber, 

1890); Sphenomorphus tagapayo Brown, McGuire, Ferner and Alcala, 1999; Sphenomorphus 

taiwanensis Chen and Lue, 1987; Sphenomorphus tanahtinggi Inger, Lian, Lakim and 

Yambun, 2001; Sphenomorphus tanneri Greer and Parker, 1967; Sphenomorphus taylori 

(Burt, 1930); Sphenomorphus temmincki (Dumeril and Bibron, 1839); Sphenomorphus 

tenuiculus (Mocquard, 1890); Sphenomorphus tersus (Smith, 1916); Sphenomorphus textum 

(Muller, 1894); Sphenomorphus transversus Greer and Parker, 1971; Sphenomorphus 

tridigitus (Bourret, 1939); Sphenomorphus tritaeniatus (Bourret, 1937); Sphenomorphus 

tropidonotus (Boulenger, 1897); Sphenomorphus undulatus (Peters and Doria, 1878); 

Sphenomorphus vanheurni (Brongersma, 1942); Sphenomorphus variegatus (Peters, 1867); 

Sphenomorphus victoria Brown and Alcala, 1980; Sphenomorphus wolfi (Sternfeld, 1918); 

Sphenomorphus wollastoni (Boulenger, 1914); Sphenomorphus woodfordi (Boulenger, 1887); 

Sphenomorphus wrighti (Taylor, 1925); Sphenomorphus zimmeri (Ahl, 1933). 

I would be pleased to collaborate with any researcher interested in assisting with this project. 

My email address is: biospherica@live.com.au 

Richard Wells 

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Australian Biodiversity Record 

ISSN 1325-2992 

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AUSTRALIAN BIODIVERSITY RECORD - Calodema

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