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m Task 19: convert/update IUCN references to {{cite iucn}} using data from IUCN Red List API; IUCN status confirmed; IUCN status ref updated; (2/00:03.56);
 
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{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Taxobox
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2015}}
⚫
| name = Pedra Branca Cool-skink or<br>Pedra Branca Skink
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
⚫
| status = VU | status_system = IUCN2.3
{{Speciesbox
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
⚫
| name = Pedra Branca skink
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
⚫
| status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
| classis = [[Reptilia]]
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Chapple, D.G. |author2=Michael, D. |author3=Robertson, P. |author4=Clemann, N. |author5=Wapstra, E. |date=2017 |title=''Carinascincus palfreymani'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T14811A101753182 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T14811A101753182.en |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
| genus = Carinascincus
| familia = [[Scincidae]]
⚫
| species = palfreymani
| genus = ''[[Niveoscincus]]''
| authority = ([[Peter Alan Rawlinson|Rawlinson]], 1974)
⚫
| species = '''''N. palfreymani'''''
| binomial = ''Niveoscincus palfreymani''
| synonyms = *''Pseudemoia palfreymani'' <br/>{{small|Rawlinson, 1974}}
*''Leiolopisma palfreymani'' <br/>{{small|— [[:fr:Alan Eddy Greer|Greer]], 1974}}
| binomial_authority = (Rawlinson, 1974)
*''Niveoscincus palfreymani'' <br/>{{small|— [[Mark Norman Hutchinson|Hutchinson]] et al., 1990}}
| synonyms = ''Pseudemoia palfreymani''}}
*''Carinascincus palfreymani'' <br/>{{small|— [[Harold Cogger|Cogger]], 2014}}
| synonyms_ref =<ref>{{EMBL species|genus=Niveoscincus|species=palfreymani}}. www.reptile-database.org.</ref>
}}


The '''Pedra Branca Cool-skink''', '''Pedra Branca Skink''', or '''Red-throated Skink''' ('''''Niveoscincus palfreymani''''') is a species of [[skink]] in the [[Scincidae]] family. It is [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Australia]], and is restricted to the windswept [[Pedra Branca (Tasmania)|Pedra Branca]], an island off southern [[Tasmania]] of only 2.5 ha, where it is dependent on the [[seabird]] colonies.<ref>Australasian Reptile & Amphibian Specialist Group 1996.[http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/14811/all ''Niveoscincus palfreymani'']</ref> <ref name = "IUCN">[http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species] Downloaded on 20 July 2007</ref> <ref name = "skink">[http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/reptile/Nivpal.html TPWS: Wildlife of Tasmania - Pedra Branca Skink]</ref> It is the only lizard species found on the island.<ref name ="NPWS"> {{cite web | url= http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=5400 |title = Pedra Branca Skink | website = Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania | accessdate = 4 February 2014}}</ref>
'''''Carinascincus palfreymani''''', known commonly as the '''Pedra Branca skink''', as well as the '''Palfreyman's window-eyed skink''',<ref name="Bo2011"/> the '''Pedra Branca cool-skink''', or the '''red-throated skink''', is a [[species]] of [[skink]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Scincidae]]. The species is [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Australia]], and is restricted to the windswept [[Pedra Branca (Tasmania)|Pedra Branca]], an island off southern [[Tasmania]] of only 2.5 ha (6.2 acres), where it is dependent on the [[seabird]] colonies.<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" /><ref name = "skink">[http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/reptile/Nivpal.html TPWS: Wildlife of Tasmania - Pedra Branca Skink] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721081308/http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/reptile/Nivpal.html |date=21 July 2008 }}.</ref> It is the only lizard species found on the island.<ref name ="NPWS">{{cite web | url= http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=5400 | title= Pedra Branca Skink | website= Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania | access-date= 4 February 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180328191003/http://parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=5400 | archive-date= 28 March 2018 | url-status= dead }}</ref>

==Etymology==
The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''palfreymani'', is in honor of Mr. A.E. Palfreyman who collected the first specimens of this species.<ref name="Bo2011">Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (''Niveoscincus palfreymani'', p. 199).</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
Adults have a head and body length of 6-10 cm. Adults weigh about 14 grams, while pregnant females can weigh up to 22 grams. Adults are a glossy charcoal colour while juveniles are more lightly coloured.<ref name = "NPWS"/>
Adults of ''C. palfreymani'' have a head and body length of {{convert|6|-|10|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Adults weigh about {{convert|14|g|oz}}, while pregnant females can weigh up to {{convert|22|g|oz}}. Adults are a glossy charcoal colour, while juveniles are more lightly coloured.<ref name = "NPWS"/>


==Biology==
==Biology==
The Pedra Branca skinks feed on small invertebrates such as insects, spiders and isopods. They have also been observed to feed on fish scraps dropped or regurgitated by the seabirds on the island as well as seabird eggs. However, these foods are only available to the skinks on a seasonal basis.<ref name = "skink"/>
The Pedra Branca skink feeds on small [[invertebrate]]s such as [[insect]]s, [[spider]]s and [[isopod]]s. It has also been observed to feed on fish scraps dropped or regurgitated by seabirds on the island, and to feed as well on seabird eggs. However, these foods are only available to the skink on a seasonal basis.<ref name = "skink"/>


There are six separate colonies of skinks on the island with a total population that fluctuates between 250 and 600 lizards, depending on food availability. The skinks are preyed upon by Silver Gulls. The movement of Silver Gull colonies into areas where the skinks are living has recently lead to the decline of some skink colonies.<ref name = "skink"/>
There are six separate colonies of the Pedra Branca skink on the island with a total population that fluctuates between 250 and 600 lizards, depending on food availability. The skink is preyed upon by [[silver gull]]s. The movement of silver gull colonies into areas where the skinks are living has recently led to the decline of some skink colonies.<ref name = "skink"/>


The skinks live in crevices in the rocks, which provide protection from wind, salt spray and waves. Adult skinks defend their burrows against intrusion by other skinks. However, they are only active when air temperatures are above 15 deg C.<ref name = "skink"/>
Pedra Branca skinks live in crevices in the rocks, which provide protection from wind, salt spray and waves. Adult skinks defend their burrows against intrusion by other skinks. However, they are only active when air temperatures are above 15&nbsp;°C (59&nbsp;°F).<ref name = "skink"/>


Pedra Branca skinks are a long-lived species. They do not mature until they are about 6-8 years of age. They can live at least ten years, possibly up to 15 years.<ref name = "skink"/>
The Pedra Branca skink is a long-lived species. They do not mature until they are about 6 to 8 years of age. They can live at least 10 years, possibly up to 15 years.<ref name = "skink"/>


Like most endemic Tasmanian skinks, the Pedra Branca skink bears live young.<ref name = "skink"/>
Like most endemic Tasmanian skinks, the Pedra Branca skink bears live young.<ref name = "skink"/>


==Status==
==Status==
This species is considered to be vulnerable<ref name = "IUCN"/> due to the restricted range and multiple threats including seabird predation, fluctuations in the food supply, climate change and the threat of invasion by introduced predators such as rats.
''C. palfreymani'' is considered to be vulnerable<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" /> due to the restricted range and multiple threats including seabird predation, fluctuations in the food supply, climate change and the threat of invasion by introduced predators such as rats.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[Peter Alan Rawlinson|Rawlinson PA]] (1974). "Revision of the endemic southeastern Australian lizard genus ''Pseudemoia'' (Scincidae: Lygosominae)". ''Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria'' '''35''': 87-96. (''Pseudemoia palfreymani'', new species, p. 92).


==External links==
==External links==
* http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=5400 photo of Pedra Branca skink
* https://web.archive.org/web/20180328191003/http://parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=5400 photo of Pedra Branca skink.


{{SouthWestTasmania |state=autocollapse}}
⚫
[[Category:Skinks]]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2704852}}
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[[Category:Reptiles of Australia]]

⚫
[[Category:Vulnerable fauna of Australia]]
[[Category:Carinascincus]]
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[[Category:Skinks of Australia]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Tasmania]]
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[[Category:Reptiles of Tasmania]]
[[Category:South West Tasmania]]
[[Category:South West Tasmania]]
⚫
[[Category:Vulnerable fauna of Australia]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1974]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Peter Alan Rawlinson]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]

Latest revision as of 22:55, 17 November 2021

Pedra Branca skink
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Carinascincus
Species:
C. palfreymani
Binomial name
Carinascincus palfreymani
(Rawlinson, 1974)
Synonyms[2]
  • Pseudemoia palfreymani
    Rawlinson, 1974
  • Leiolopisma palfreymani
    — Greer, 1974
  • Niveoscincus palfreymani
    — Hutchinson et al., 1990
  • Carinascincus palfreymani
    — Cogger, 2014

Carinascincus palfreymani, known commonly as the Pedra Branca skink, as well as the Palfreyman's window-eyed skink,[3] the Pedra Branca cool-skink, or the red-throated skink, is a species of skink in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia, and is restricted to the windswept Pedra Branca, an island off southern Tasmania of only 2.5 ha (6.2 acres), where it is dependent on the seabird colonies.[1][4] It is the only lizard species found on the island.[5]

Etymology

[edit]

The specific name, palfreymani, is in honor of Mr. A.E. Palfreyman who collected the first specimens of this species.[3]

Description

[edit]

Adults of C. palfreymani have a head and body length of 6–10 cm (2.4–3.9 in). Adults weigh about 14 grams (0.49 oz), while pregnant females can weigh up to 22 grams (0.78 oz). Adults are a glossy charcoal colour, while juveniles are more lightly coloured.[5]

Biology

[edit]

The Pedra Branca skink feeds on small invertebrates such as insects, spiders and isopods. It has also been observed to feed on fish scraps dropped or regurgitated by seabirds on the island, and to feed as well on seabird eggs. However, these foods are only available to the skink on a seasonal basis.[4]

There are six separate colonies of the Pedra Branca skink on the island with a total population that fluctuates between 250 and 600 lizards, depending on food availability. The skink is preyed upon by silver gulls. The movement of silver gull colonies into areas where the skinks are living has recently led to the decline of some skink colonies.[4]

Pedra Branca skinks live in crevices in the rocks, which provide protection from wind, salt spray and waves. Adult skinks defend their burrows against intrusion by other skinks. However, they are only active when air temperatures are above 15 °C (59 °F).[4]

The Pedra Branca skink is a long-lived species. They do not mature until they are about 6 to 8 years of age. They can live at least 10 years, possibly up to 15 years.[4]

Like most endemic Tasmanian skinks, the Pedra Branca skink bears live young.[4]

Status

[edit]

C. palfreymani is considered to be vulnerable[1] due to the restricted range and multiple threats including seabird predation, fluctuations in the food supply, climate change and the threat of invasion by introduced predators such as rats.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Chapple, D.G.; Michael, D.; Robertson, P.; Clemann, N.; Wapstra, E. (2017). "Carinascincus palfreymani". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T14811A101753182. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T14811A101753182.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ Species Niveoscincus palfreymani at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ a b Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Niveoscincus palfreymani, p. 199).
  4. ^ a b c d e f TPWS: Wildlife of Tasmania - Pedra Branca Skink Archived 21 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ^ a b "Pedra Branca Skink". Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2014.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Rawlinson PA (1974). "Revision of the endemic southeastern Australian lizard genus Pseudemoia (Scincidae: Lygosominae)". Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria 35: 87-96. (Pseudemoia palfreymani, new species, p. 92).
[edit]
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