Taxonomy
Common name :
Le scinque aux hanches pâles de l'Ile des Pins
Southern pale-hipped skink Red List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 11/12/2017Protected species -
in Southern Province , in Northern Province
Although not uncommon, Celatoscincus euryotis has been assessed as Endangered because it is endemic to one small island off New Caledonia, its estimated extent of occurrence is approximately 93 km2, and it is known only from five locations. This species has been mainly recorded from forest habitat which is being degraded and lost on Ile des Pins. The number of individuals is also declining as a result of habitat loss and also because of invasive species. Conservation measures are needed to ensure the survival of this species, such as the establishment of protected areas.
Geographical area
Celatoscincus euryotis is endemic to New Caledonia. It is known only from the Ile des Pins (Isle of Pines) where it was observed in five different localities. The Isle of Pines has an area of 152 km2, however, the area of suitable habitat is considerably less (Sadlier et al. 2006). A survey of the islets surrounding the Isle of Pines did not find any individuals (Sadlier et al. 2006). Recorded at elevations up to 200 m asl. The extent of occurrence is estimated at 93 km2 and the area of occupancy at 20 km2.
Population
There are no data on population size and trends for Celatoscincus euryotis. It is assumed that there has been a reduction in the area of occupation resulting from loss and fragmentation of forest habitats through clearance for occupation, agriculture and afforestation, and by infestation of areas by invasive species. At a recently observed site, C. euryotis was considered to be locally common in good habitat (Bauer and Sadlier 1993).
Habitat
Celatoscincus euryotis inhabits coastal closed forest habitat. It is diurnal, terrestrial, and is attracted to sunlight. It shelters beneath litter and stones, and basks and forages in light-gaps. C. euryotis is oviparous, with a clutch size of two to three eggs (Sadlier et al. 2006). It has been observed recently in secondary forest.
Threats
Celatiscincus euryotis is most at risk to further loss and fragmentation of coastal forest habitats through clearance for agriculture and occupation, and from wildfires. In forested habitats there is also a significant threat from the introduced ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, which is known to decimate lizard populations (Jourdan et al. 2001). Predation by introduced mammals such as rodents and cats is also likely to be a high threat (Thibault 2017, Palmas 2017).
Conservation
Protected in Province Nord under Code de l'environnement de la Province Nord (Délibération No. 306-2008/APN, 24 October 2008) and in Province Sud under Code de l'environnement de la Province Sud (Délibération No. 25-2009/APS, 20 March 2009). Not listed on CITES. This species is not found in a protected area and does not have any other conservation measures in place for it. Actions are required to ensure the survival of this species, such as founding protected and managed areas on the Ile de Pins, and species-based research and monitoring.
Bibliography
Uetz, P. (ed.) 2017. The Reptile Database.
Bauer, A.M., and Sadlier, R.A. 1994. The terrestrial herpetofauna of the Ile des Pins, New Caledonia. Pacific Science(48) , p.353-366.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Sadlier, R.A., Smith, S.A. and Bauer, A.M. 2006. A New Genus for the New Caledonian Scincid Lizard Lygosoma euryotis Werner, 1909, and the Description of a New Species. Records of the Australian Museum(58) , p.19-28.
Palmas, P., Jourdan, H., Rigault, F., Debar, L., De Meringo, H., Bourguet, E., Mathivet, M., Lee, M., Adjouhgniope, R., Papillon, Y. and Bonnaud, E. 2017. Feral cats threaten the outstanding endemic fauna of the New Caledonia biodiversity hotspot. Biological Conservation(214) , p.250-259.
Thibault, M., Brescia, F., Vidal, E. and Jourdan, H. 2017. Invasive rodents, an overlooked threat for skinks in a tropical island hotspot of biodiversity. New Zealand Ecological Society(41) , p.74-83.
Jourdan, H., Sadlier, R.A. and Bauer, A.M. 2001. Little Fire Ant Invasion (Wasmannia auropunctata) as a threat to New Caledonian lizards: Evidences from a sclerophyll forest (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology(38) , p.283-301.
Bauer, A.M. and Sadlier, R.A. 1993. Systematics, biogeography and conservation of the lizards of New Caledonia. Biodiversity Letters(1) , p.107-122.
Bauer, A.M. and Sadlier, R.A. 2000. The Herpetofauna of New Caledonia.
IUCN 2021. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2021-2.
Experts
Assessor(s): Sadlier, R., Bauer, A., Jourdan, H., Astrongatt, S., Deuss, M., Duval, T., Bourguet, E., McCoy, S., Bouteiller, A., Lagrange, A.
Reviewer(s): Cox, N.
Contributor(s): Whitaker, A.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Lietar, J., Warimavute, G.