Ctenotus regius | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Scincidae |
Genus: | Ctenotus |
Species: | C. regius
|
Binomial name | |
Ctenotus regius
Storr, 1971
|
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, [2] which belongs to the largest group of reptiles in Australia, Ctentotus (containing close to 100 species). [3]
Ctentotus regius is a medium-sized skink, characterised by its longitudinally striped back and white spotted sides. [2] 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. [2] 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]
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]
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. [2] Atlas of Living Australia currently holds 7,697 records for the species across Australia, although some of these may be misidentifications. [2] 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]
The pale-rumped ctenotus 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). [2]
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. [3]
The species has been observed to occupy a home range, with estimates ranging from 40-60 square metres. [5]
The pale-rumped ctenotus 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]
Ctentotus regius is largely an unspecialised insectivore, although it may occasionally consume plant material. [5]
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]
Ctenotus regius | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Scincidae |
Genus: | Ctenotus |
Species: | C. regius
|
Binomial name | |
Ctenotus regius
Storr, 1971
|
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, [2] which belongs to the largest group of reptiles in Australia, Ctentotus (containing close to 100 species). [3]
Ctentotus regius is a medium-sized skink, characterised by its longitudinally striped back and white spotted sides. [2] 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. [2] 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]
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]
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. [2] Atlas of Living Australia currently holds 7,697 records for the species across Australia, although some of these may be misidentifications. [2] 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]
The pale-rumped ctenotus 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). [2]
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. [3]
The species has been observed to occupy a home range, with estimates ranging from 40-60 square metres. [5]
The pale-rumped ctenotus 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]
Ctentotus regius is largely an unspecialised insectivore, although it may occasionally consume plant material. [5]
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]