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Four-Chained Slider (Lerista quadrivincula)

The Four-Chained Slider is a poorly known skink recorded near Karratha in the Pilbara, with records only from its type locality. It is listed as DBCA Priority 1 in Western Australia, a DBCA priority category rather than a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Works in the area warrant cautious assessment despite limited information about its habitat and ecology.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 1.

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity and breeding months have not been reported. The row below is a general planning window, not a species-specific seasonal pattern.

Breeding: Oviparous; timing is not recorded.

Activity: Seasonal activity and detectability are not recorded.

No species-specific seasonal pattern can be inferred.

  • Survey and works planning: General planning window only. No species-specific seasonal information is available; plan surveys and precautions for the proposed works and site conditions.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification information is sparse, so do not rely on the common name alone to confirm a sighting.

The species name refers to a dorsal pattern of four lines of spots. No further description of its appearance or size is known.

Identification: Similar species

Similar species and diagnostic comparisons have not been described. Record clear photographs and distinguishing features where possible, and seek confirmation from a suitably qualified herpetologist.

Identification: Field signs

Tracks, scats, burrows and other field signs have not been described for this species. Treat unconfirmed signs with caution.

Distribution: Known range

The known distribution is extremely limited.

The Reptile Database gives the distribution as near Karratha in Western Australia and identifies the type locality as the Maitland River, 25 km south-east of Karratha HS. The species is known only from the holotype and type locality.

Distribution: Western Australian records

The WA list flags the Pilbara region. Atlas of Living Australia records show one Western Australian record at one distinct 0.1-degree location, near latitude -21.1 and longitude 116.8. These limited records do not establish the full range.

Habitat: Recorded setting

The species' habitat has not been described.

The type locality is the Maitland River, 25 km south-east of Karratha HS. Vegetation, landform, soil and other habitat features there have not been described.

Habitat: Assessment at works sites

Do not assume that a site is unsuitable because its habitat does not match an unverified description. Compare proposed disturbance areas with confirmed records and assess site conditions directly.

Foraging habitat: Diet and foraging

Diet and foraging habitat have not been documented.

No prey, feeding behaviour or foraging habitat has been reported.

Foraging habitat: Practical precautions

During site assessment, note ground cover and substrate conditions without treating any feature as a known feeding requirement. Retain these observations with survey records to support future assessment.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

The species is oviparous, but its breeding ecology is poorly known.

The Reptile Database reports that the species lays eggs. Breeding habitat, timing, clutch size and egg-site characteristics have not been recorded.

Breeding habitat: Works planning

Do not infer a breeding season or nest location. Where disturbance is proposed, use current site assessment and qualified fauna advice to set precautions.

Sheltering habitat: Known information

Shelter sites and sheltering behaviour have not been described.

No refuge type, burrowing behaviour or sheltering habitat has been reported for the Four-Chained Slider.

Sheltering habitat: General search practice

As general practice for skink surveys, inspect suitable ground-level cover and substrates carefully where this can be done safely and without damaging potential refuges. This is not a species-specific shelter description.

Threats: Conservation status

Threats specific to this species have not been identified.

The species is listed as Priority 1 on the DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna List dated 1 July 2025. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is not nationally listed and is known from few locations, none on conservation lands.

Threats: Potential works impacts

As a general works precaution, clearing and vehicle activity can directly affect fauna or disturb the ground. Assess and manage these risks without presenting them as documented threats to this species.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The species is poorly known; its detectability and effective survey methods have not been documented.

Check the proposed disturbance footprint against the Maitland River type locality, fauna records and current DBCA information. Note the very limited known records and the Pilbara regional listing.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

Use a suitably qualified surveyor to inspect the site and record habitat and ground conditions. As general practice for skinks, conduct careful active searches of suitable ground-level cover and substrates where safe and permitted; these are not known requirements of this species.

Survey methodology: 3. Survey records

Record survey dates, effort, conditions, locations and outcomes, including non-detections. Photograph possible individuals or signs where practicable, avoid unnecessary handling, and obtain expert identification before confirming a record.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations: Water-associated habitat mentioned in profile

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

The type locality is the Maitland River, 25 km south-east of Karratha HS.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: WA.

Habitat use: general

Attribution gap: No sentence-level reference is attached to the original profile block. Review the profile bibliography; this candidate is not source-verified.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Confirm records and footprint

Plan works cautiously because the species is known from very few locations and its habitat requirements are undocumented.

Review the footprint and access routes against the type locality and any current records. Seek advice from relevant fauna specialists and DBCA where records or suitable survey findings could be affected.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Set controls

Brief clearing crews on the possibility of an unconfirmed skink encounter, the stop-work and reporting process, and the agreed fauna handling arrangements. Mark approved clearing limits and keep disturbance within them.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Clear carefully

Use fauna-aware work practices and respond promptly to any suspected encounter.

Keep clearing within the approved footprint and use the staged, supervised approach specified in the site fauna plan. Avoid unnecessary disturbance outside the work area.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to an encounter

Pause work in the immediate area if a possible individual is found. Do not handle it unless authorised and competent to do so; contact the nominated fauna spotter catcher or ecologist, document the location and follow the approved relocation and reporting procedures.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Record outcomes

Close out fauna records and check that work-area controls were followed.

Document any detections, identifications, handling or other responses, along with the locations and actions taken. Report records through the project process and relevant agency channels as required.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review controls

Check that disturbance remained within approved limits and that any incidents or unexpected findings have been addressed. Use the results to update site records and future work planning.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed ground

Species-specific rehabilitation requirements have not been documented.

Rehabilitate temporary work areas in line with the approved site rehabilitation plan. Use locally appropriate methods and avoid claiming that particular plant species, substrates or refuge features are known requirements of this skink.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and document

Record rehabilitation actions and monitoring results. If the species is confirmed at or near the works, seek ecologist advice on suitable follow-up before finalising rehabilitation measures.

Sources