A new species of Lampropholis skink (Lacertilia: Scincidae) from Scawfell Island, mid-east Queensland, Australia
Conrad J. Hoskin
Abstract
A targeted reptile survey of Scawfell Island, approximately 50 km offshore from Mackay, revealed a species of Lampropholis skink that could not be assigned to any described species.Here I describe this as a new species, Lampropholis isla sp.nov., based on morphological differences and genetic divergence from congeners.Subsequent assessment of museum specimens revealed that Lampropholis had been previously collected from Scawfell Island (in 1994, but assumed to be the widespread species L. delicata).Lampropholis isla sp.nov. is restricted to rainforest areas on Scawfell Island and appears to be endemic to the island.Surveys on nearby islands of the South Cumberland Group, and islands to the north in the Whitsunday Islands Group, have failed to find any Lampropholis skinks.Suitable habitat is patchy on Scawfell Island but based on detection in all closed canopy sites surveyed, high density at most of these, and a lack of known threats, the conservation assessment of L. isla sp.nov. is Least Concern.Fire is a potential threat but impacts on rainforest habitat are limited due to rocky substrate in these areas.The island is protected within South Cumberland National Park.Lampropholis isla sp.nov. is the second endemic reptile species described for Scawfell Island, which is a higher number of vertebrate endemics than any other island off the coast of eastern Queensland.I discuss the general lack of rainforest-associated lizard species and genera on islands of this region.