Ctenotus regius

Belonging to the largest group of reptiles in Australia, Ctentotus (containing close to 100 species)[2], the pale-rumped ctenotus or regal striped skink (Ctenotus regius) is a medium-sized species of skink with an arid distribution restricted to the Australian Mainland.[3]

Ctenotus regius
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Ctenotus
Species:
C. regius
Binomial name
Ctenotus regius
Storr, 1971

Description

Ctentotus regius is a medium-sized skink, characterised by its longitudinally striped back and white spotted sides.[3] The species has a reddish-brown tail and its body is patterned by a blackish brown colour with a white-cream lateral stripe that runs from over the ear to below the eye, and white side spots in between the longitudinal lines that span the length of its body.[3] The average snout-to-vent length of the species is 7.2 cm[4] with females being recorded as slightly larger, on average, than their male counterparts.[5]

Taxonomy

Ctenotus regius was first described by Glen Milton Store in 1970,[6] and has not since had a name revision.

The Pale-rumped Ctenotus is a member of the skink family (Scincidae), and the genus Ctenotus, often described as 'comb-eared' for its row of small scales on the anterior edge of its ears.[7] Many of the species within this genus are exceedingly similar in shape, build and appearance, with many differences only identifiable in their size and foraging and sheltering behaviours.[7]

Distribution

Ctentotus regius is endemic to Australia, with a distribution isolated to the in north-west of New South Wales, the south-west of Queensland, the south-east of Northern Territory, the north-east of South Australia and the north-west of Victoria.[3] Atlas of Living Australia currently holds 7,697 records for the species across Australia, although some of these may be misidentifications.[3] Records for the species exist in a number of National Parks and Nature Reserves within New South Wales, including Mallee Cliffs NP, Tarawi NR, Mungo NP, Sturt NP, Kinchega NP, Nocoleche NR and Yathong NR.[8]

Australian Distribution of Ctenotus regius (Source: Atlas of Living Australia,[9] Google Street Maps[10])

Ecology and Habitat

The Pale-rumped Ctentotus inhabits sandy and loamy deserts in central Australia, seeking refuge in low shrubs including saltbush (Atriplex spp.), bluebush (Maireana spp.) and nitre bush (Nitraria billardierei).[3]

Although much is still unknown about the species' ecological ties to its predators and prey, Grey Butcherbirds (Cracticus torquatus) have been observed preying upon the species in Murray-Sunset National Park in Victoria.[2]

The species has been observed to occupy a home range, with estimates ranging from 40-60 metres.[5]

Reproduction and Lifecycle

The Pale-rumped Ctentotus is an oviparous (egg-laying) species.[11] Females are on average larger than their male counterparts and lay a clutch of approximately two eggs early in summer, although reproductive efforts have been noted to vary considerably with environmental conditions.[5] The Pale-rumped Ctenotus has a relatively short lifespan of approximately 3 years, in contrast to other Ctenotus species such as C. leonhardii with specimens recorded as living for as long as 7 years.[5]

Diet

Ctentotus regius is largely an unspecialised insectivore, although it may occasionally consume plant material.[5]

Conservation

Ctenotus regius is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List.[1] However, many pressures impact desert reptile populations within Australia, including habitat loss from land clearing, habitat degradation and modification as a result of introduced pest species and anthropogenic climate change, vehicle collisions and emerging diseases.[4]

References
  1. Fenner, A.; Hutchinson, M.; McDonald, P. & Robertson, P. (2018). "Ctenotus regius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T109464279A109464294. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  2. Fitzsimons, James A.; Thomas, Janelle L. (2010). "Ctenotus regius (Regal Striped Skink). Predation". Herpetological Review. 41 (1): 76–77 – via Research Gate.
  3. Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Ctenotus regius (Pale-Rumped Ctenotus)". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  4. "Royal ctenotus (Ctenotus regius) at the Australian Reptile Online Database | AROD.com.au". www.arod.com.au. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  5. Read, J. L. (1998). "The ecology of sympatric scincid lizards (Ctenotus) in arid South Australia". Australian Journal of Zoology. 46 (6): 617–629 – via CSIRO Publishing.
  6. "Ctenotus regius". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  7. "Ctenotus - Australian Lizards". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  8. "Environment & Heritage | NSW BioNet". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  9. Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Ctenotus regius (Pale-Rumped Ctenotus)". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  10. "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  11. "Ctenotus regius". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
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