Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened reptiles

Corangamite water skink

Eulamprus tympanum marnieae

Summary information

Distribution: areas to the east and north of Lake Corangamite in south-western Victoria.
Habit and habitat: the only published information on the species’ biology is in the original description by Hutchinson and Rawlinson (1994). It is recorded as a diurnal heliothermic skink, but unlike other members of the genus it is extremely wary and difficult to approach. It is recorded from grassy open woodland and cleared pastures dotted with ephemeral swamps and lakes, on rocky basaltic soils. The lizards inhabit rocky mounds that provide moist sheltering sites. It is usually observed from a distance perched on a rock pile or dry stone wall.
Activity period: it appears to be active from mid-spring (September/October) to late autumn probably most active under warm but not overly dry conditions. Presumably active late morning to afternoon in the temperate months of the year, gradually changing to early and probably late afternoon in the hotter months of the year.

Survey methods

Given the apparent rarity of the species (only 10 extant populations remain [Peterson 2002]) and the likely sensitivity of the preferred sheltering sites to disturbance, it is recommended that likely suitable habitat (for example, rock piles) be searched by observation using binoculars to detect the presence of the species. It may also be possible to use Elliot traps for this species.

Similar species in range: The only other species of Eulamprus in the ‘water skink’ complex in the general range of the Corangamite water skink is the southern water skink E. tympanum tympanum. The two species are diagnosed from one another by a combination of smaller body scales in the Corangamite water skink (usually 43 or more rows mid body) and a bold dorsal pattern where the dark markings are arranged as short, irregular transverse bars, compared with larger body scales in the southern water skink (usually 42 or fewer rows mid body) and a dorsal pattern where the dark markings are present as small black flecks.

Potential records of the Corangamite water skink should be supported by a good quality colour photograph. Photo vouchers should be forwarded to the state fauna authority and appropriate state museum (Museum of Victoria) for positive identification and databasing of the record.

Key references for Eulamprus tympanum marnieae

Hutchinson, M.N. & Rawlinson, P.A. 1995. The water skinks (Lacertilia: Eulamprus) of Victoria and South Australia. Records of the South Australian Museum 28(2): 185-207.

Peterson, G. 2002. Water skinks do need water: the implications of a four-year drought for the endangered Corangamite Water Skink. Abstracts, Australian Society of Herpetologists 29th General Meeting: 34.

Dunmall’s snake

Furina dunmalli

Summary information

Distribution: The species is found on the low to mid elevation from Yeppoon in the north to Oakey, Glenmorgan and Inglewood in the south in Queensland (Cogger et al. 1993), west to Expedition Range, and a recent record from Bebo State Forest in New South Wales (Date & Paull 2002).

Habit and habitat: Its habitat is poorly known. Preferred habitat appears to be Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), cypress (Callitris sp.) and bulloak (Allocasuarina leuhmanni) forest and woodland growing on cracking black clay and clay loam soils. This snake is also found on spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora) and ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra) associations on coarse-grained sediments (sandstone). The species is terrestrial and predominantly nocturnal, feeding on small lizards.

Activity period: poorly known. It is not active on the ground surface by day, and would only be active between sheltering sites at night. Presumably active late spring through summer to early autumn, with peak activity likely to be early summer through to the wet season.

Survey methods

None known to reliably detect the species. Recommended methods are active searching of sheltering sites (under large objects on the ground such as rocks, logs or human-made debris), pitfall trapping, or road driving at night (particularly after wet weather). However, all of these methods are likely to yield low returns.

Similar species in range: this species is superficially similar to several other small to moderate-sized elapids with predominantly dark brown to black dorsal coloration, including the curl snake Suta suta, eastern small-eyed snake Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens, and Suta carpentariae. The high number of scales at midbody (21) will separate it from all of these other than occasional curl snakes. Dunmall’s snake often has small yellow flecks over the temporal region and lips, which differs from the characteristic facial pattern of curl snakes.

Because of the potential for confusion with these species, it is recommended that any record of this species be accompanied by good quality clear photographs of the whole snake and of the side of the head, sufficiently clear to show the individual head scales and facial markings, and a count of midbody scales.

Photo vouchers should be forwarded to the state fauna authority and appropriate state museum for positive identification and databasing of the record. A scale clip preserved in ethanol would also be of use as a genetic sample.

Key references for Furina dunmalli

Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E., Sadlier, R.A. & Eggler, P. 1993. The action plan for Australian reptiles. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra. 254 pp.

Date, E.M. & Paull, D.C. 2002. Forestry in Western New South Wales. Fauna Survey of the North-West Cypress/Ironbark Forests. State Forests of New South Wales, Dubbo.