Queensland threatened lizard survey

The Fassifern blind snake (Anilios insperatus) is known only from a single specimen collected in 1992 on a property in south-eastern Queensland used for cattle grazing. The Fassifern blind snake was not recorded during the surveys, and we can make no conclusions concerning its true conservation status. 

The original specimens of Lyon’s grassland skink (Austroablepharus barrylyoni) were collected from one locality on Springfield Station, north Queensland, between 1979 and 1981. Lyon’s Grassland skink was targeted with pitfall trapping and was found at all three pit-trap sites, for a total of five specimens. These are the first records of the skink since it was first collected in 1981. 

The limbless fine-lined slider (Lerista ameles) was first described from a single specimen found under a rock in a shallow, soil-filled depression on a granite outcrop beside the Gulf Developmental Road, about 35 km east of Mount Surprise township in north Queensland, close to Undara Volcanic National Park. During the fieldwork, four specimens of the limbless fine-lined slider were found, but the species was not found within the Undara Volcanic NP. The distribution of the limbless fine-lined slider is substantially smaller than that given in previous reports for the species that included erroneous westerly records. 

The Mount Surprise slider (Lerista storri) was originally described from four specimens from two different localities: Springfield Station, approximately halfway between Undara Volcanic NP and Mount Surprise, and from near Chillagoe to the north. Further taxonomic work showed the northern population was a distinct species, named the Chillagoe fine-lined slider (Lerista parameles). This restricted the Mount Surprise Slider to a single locality on Springfield Station. No populations other than the type population are known to exist. During the survey, five specimens of the Mount Surprise fine-lined skink were found, but only within 5 km of the type locality. 

The gravel-downs ctenotus (Ctenotus serotinus) is known from two individuals collected in 1984 and 1981 in and adjacent to Diamantina National Park in south-western Queensland. There have been no confirmed observations since. No gravel-downs ctenotus were recorded during the surveys, although several stout ctenotus (Ctenotus hebetior) were recorded.  

The retro slider (Lerista allanae) was rediscovered north of Capella in Central Queensland in late 2009, after there had been no records for nearly 50 years. It has since been recorded at a further five sites in the Capella area. The aims of this survey were to confirm the presence of the retro slider at the most southerly of these sites, where it had only been photographed. Two retro sliders were recorded (one captured, and one seen), which confirms the presence of the species at the new site. 

The Arcardia velvet gecko (Oedura lineata) was described in 2019 from specimens at Lonesome National Park and Nuga Nuga National Park. The surveys found the gecko at Lonesome National Park but not at Nuga Nuga, and it may be extinct there. It was, however, found in four small brigalow fragments in the southern Arcadia Valley. These new sites are very small brigalow fragments, not in protected areas, and the species remains highly threatened.  

The Pinnacles leaf-tailed gecko (Phyllurus pinnaclensis) was known from just three sites at the time of its description. A 2021 survey of one of the known sites found three individuals, despite detailed survey effort. The population at this site is estimated to be fewer than 25 individuals. A second site was surveyed in 2022 but no Pinnacles leaf-tailed geckos were found. Further surveys are required for this species and are planned for the near future. 

The Scawfell Island leaf-tailed gecko (Phyllurus fimbriatus) is believed to be restricted to Scawfell Island off Mackay. The surveys found P. fimbriatus to be patchy, but moderately common, in two new areas on the southern side of Scawfell Island. This extends its known distribution. The surveys failed to find P. fimbriatus on St Bees or Keswick Islands, despite good survey effort in rainforest gullies.  

The survey also established that the introduced house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) has spread extensively and rapidly in the north-west of Scawfell Island into rainforest and rock areas. This is concerning as the house gecko is a potential competitor with the Scawfell Island leaf-tailed gecko. Further monitoring will be undertaken. 

The McIlwraith leaf-tailed gecko (Orraya occultus) was known from a single site in McIlwraith Range on Cape York Peninsula. Given the extremely difficult terrain and vegetation along the range, the survey focussed on one catchment where imagery suggested highly suitable habitat. Two individuals were found approximately 12 km away from the only other site where the gecko has been recorded. The survey results suggest that the McIlwraith leaf-tailed gecko is rare in the area rather than being difficult to find. 

The Cape Melville leaf-tailed gecko (Saltuarius eximius) is known from a very small area of the Melville Range uplands of Far North Queensland, in very small numbers, and is potentially threatened by climate change and invasive species. Access issues prevented surveys being carried out and they are now planned for mid-2025. 

The Condamine earless dragon (Tympanocryptis condaminensis) has a restricted distribution in south-eastern Queensland. The species is threatened by habitat loss and disturbance, generally from agricultural activities. Nine Condamine earless dragons were caught during survey work in the Darling Downs region, including at a known site as well as a new site.