Description

Brownish. Scattered dark pattern on back. Lighter bars on flank. Strongly keeled scales on sides, back and tail.

Similar species

No similar species are found in the same area. The prickly forest skink (Gnypetoscincus queenslandiae) looks similar, but is only found in far North Queensland.

Range

Found in two isolated patches of forest near the town of Murgon, south-east Queensland. One population contains around 35 adults, while the other numbers in the hundreds1 - Borsboom et al. (2011). Distribution and population genetic structure of the critically endangered skink Nangura spinosa, and the implications for management. Australian Journal of Zoology, 58(6):369-375..

Found in the following Australian states/territories

Queensland

Habitat

Found in hoop pine plantation and in semi-evergreen vine thicket.2 - Covacevich et al. (1993). A new skink, Nangura spinosa gen. et sp. nov., from a dry rainforest of southeastern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 34(1):159-167.

Natural history

This species was only discovered in 1992.2 - Covacevich et al. (1993). A new skink, Nangura spinosa gen. et sp. nov., from a dry rainforest of southeastern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 34(1):159-167. A second population was discovered in 1997.3 - Hannah et al. (1997). New information on the narrowly-restricted skink Nangura spinosa. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 42(1):90.
Generally diurnal2 - Covacevich et al. (1993). A new skink, Nangura spinosa gen. et sp. nov., from a dry rainforest of southeastern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 34(1):159-167., but may be crepuscular during April4 - Borsboom et al. (2005). The rare Queensland skink Nangura spinosa: Surveys, distribution, habitat, threats, management and conservation status. Unpublished report - Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland and summer (pers. obs. SM). Lives in single-entrance burrows, often sharing with young or other adults.2 - Covacevich et al. (1993). A new skink, Nangura spinosa gen. et sp. nov., from a dry rainforest of southeastern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 34(1):159-167. These burrows may be used for at least 8 years.2 - Covacevich et al. (1993). A new skink, Nangura spinosa gen. et sp. nov., from a dry rainforest of southeastern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 34(1):159-167.
Thought to be live-bearing due to close genetic affinities with live-bearing skink genera.5 - O'Connor & Moritz (2003). A molecular phylogeny of the Australian skink genera Eulamprus, Gnypetoscincus and Nangura. Australian Journal of Zoology, 51(4):317-330.

Diet

Arthropods, especially beetles and spiders.2 - Covacevich et al. (1993). A new skink, Nangura spinosa gen. et sp. nov., from a dry rainforest of southeastern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 34(1):159-167.

Conservation status

Aust: critically endangered
Qld: endangered

Conservation notes

This skink is only found in two patches of forest (one National Park and one State Forest). No specific management action has been devised yet.

Advice to Minister recommending status change to 'critically endangered'.

General threats

General threats to reptiles, and indeed all native wildlife, include:

• habitat loss from land clearing - it is estimated that between 1997 and 1999 in Queensland, 89 million reptiles were killed each year due to land clearing (Cogger et al. 2003) Impacts of Land Clearing on Australian Wildlife in Queensland.
• habitat degradation by introduced species such as cattle and rabbits - do your bit: eat roo not beef!
• habitat modification caused by global climate change
• death on roads
• feral predators such as dogs, cats, pigs and foxes
• the introduced cane toad
• emerging diseases

Note: these are general threats and may not apply to this particular species.

How you can help

There are many ways you can help our reptiles. Here are my top three suggestions:

1. donate to a habitat restoration organisation
2. ensure your carbon footprint is as small as possible
3. donate to another habitat restoration organisation

References

1. Borsboom, A.C.; Couper, P.J.; Amey, A.; & Hoskin, C.J. (2011). Distribution and population genetic structure of the critically endangered skink Nangura spinosa, and the implications for management. Australian Journal of Zoology, 58(6):369-375.
2. Covacevich, J. A.; Couper, P. J.; & James, C. (1993). A new skink, Nangura spinosa gen. et sp. nov., from a dry rainforest of southeastern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 34(1):159-167. - search web for this article
3. Hannah, D.; Agnew, G.; Hamley, B.; & Hogan, L. (1997). New information on the narrowly-restricted skink Nangura spinosa. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 42(1):90. - search web for this article
4. Borsboom, A. C.; Smyth, G.; & Rider, E. (2005). The rare Queensland skink Nangura spinosa: Surveys, distribution, habitat, threats, management and conservation status. Unpublished report - Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland - search web for this report
5. O'Connor, D. & Moritz, C. (2003). A molecular phylogeny of the Australian skink genera Eulamprus, Gnypetoscincus and Nangura. Australian Journal of Zoology, 51(4):317-330. - search web for this article

 

Additional links

• Federal Government - Nangura spinosa in Species Profile and Threats Database
• Question of survival for stay-at-home skinks

Note: the links below are automatically generated. Some may not take you to useful information.

• Google searches - web | images | scholar
• Search The University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web
• Search Wikipedia for Nangura spinosa
• Nangur spiny skink at The TIGR Reptile Database