Lerista viduata
| Lerista viduata | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Lerista |
| Species: | L. viduata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lerista viduata Storr, 1991
| |
The Ravensthorpe Range slider (Lerista viduata) is a species of skink found in Western Australia.[2] Historically rare and considered Data Deficient, it was known from only 15 collected specimens prior to a recent study.
Size
The Ravensthorpe Range slider is small in size, with a Snout–vent length of approximately 45–47 mm.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was first described by the Australian herpetologist Glen Milton Storr in his 1991 paper Revision of Lerista microtis (Lacertilia: Scincidae).[4]
Geographic range and habitat
Lerista viduata is only found in the Ravensthorpe Range, near Ravensthorpe, and generally lives in loose soil, plant matter, and beneath rocks and logs.[3]
Conservation status
Although currently listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List, a 2024 study published in the journal Pacific Conservation Biology found the species more accurately meets the criteria for Critically Endangered and estimated the population to be between 3,514–9,276 mature individuals. With an Extent of Occurrence of just 32 km2 (well below the 100 km2 threshold for Critically Endangered), fire remains the most significant threat for loss of habitat, and with bushfires common in the region, it is thought that a single large fire could significantly affect the population. Mining also poses a significant risk for loss of habitat.[3]
References
- ^ Teale, R.; Craig, M.; Valentine, L. (2017). "Lerista viduata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T109477698A109477721. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T109477698A109477721.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Lerista viduata at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 March 2015.
- ^ a b c Bonifacio, Luke R.; Farquhar, Jules E.; Pili, Arman N.; Walsh, Jessica C.; Chapple, David G. (2024). Calver, Mike (ed.). "A noodle in a haystack: determining the conservation status of the rare and Data Deficient Ravensthorpe Range slider, Lerista viduata". Pacific Conservation Biology. 30 (6). CSIRO Publishing. doi:10.1071/PC24048. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ G.M. Storr (28 June 1991). "Revision of Lerista microtis (Lacertilia: Scincidae)" (PDF). Records of the Western Australian Museum. 15 (2). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.