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Maryan's Keeled Slider (Ashburton) (Lerista planiventralis maryani)

Maryan's keeled slider is a small skink taxon known from few locations on the north-west coast of Western Australia. Its specific habitat and ecology are poorly documented. It is listed as Priority 1 on the DBCA WA Priority Fauna List, so works in the Pilbara should account for possible presence and use cautious survey and clearing procedures.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity and breeding months for maryani have not been documented. Plan survey and work controls around the project programme rather than assuming a particular season is safe.

Taxon-specific seasonal data: Not recorded

Planning approach: Use suitable survey expertise and retain precautions throughout the work programme

Breeding, movement and activity months have not been documented specifically for this taxon.

  • Survey and works planning: No taxon-specific seasonal window is known. This is a planning reminder only, not a statement of seasonal activity.

Identification: Appearance and size

Use the listed name and a combination of scale and limb characters when considering identification. Diagnostic detail specific to maryani is limited.

Within Lerista planiventralis, the taxon is described as a medium-sized skink with a ventrolateral keel, digits 2 + 3, a movable eyelid and normally 1 + 1 temporal scales.

A body-length measurement specific to maryani is not recorded.

Identification: Similar species

L. planiventralis is distinguished from L. p. decora by more numerous midbody scale rows, a darker head and a narrower upper lateral stripe. This comparison is based on the taxonomic treatment of the wider planiventralis group and should not be used alone to confirm an animal in the field.

Identification: Field signs

Taxon-specific tracks, scats, burrow form and other field signs have not been documented. Photograph a sighting or capture and, where safe and permitted, record diagnostic scale and limb details.

Distribution: Known range

Records indicate a restricted and poorly known north-western WA distribution. The taxon is flagged for the Pilbara region on the DBCA list.

The taxon is recorded from the north-west coast of Western Australia. Atlas of Living Australia records show four WA records at three distinct 0.1-degree locations, between latitude -22.9 and -21.6 and longitude 114.9 and 115.1. Records outside WA were excluded as likely errors.

Distribution: WA region and records

The DBCA Priority Fauna List flags the Pilbara region. The listed status is Priority 1, described as poorly known and known from few locations, with none on conservation lands.

The stated type locality is 11 km north-west of Barradale Roadhouse. A later figure caption identifies a photograph of an animal previously assigned to maryani from 9 km west of Barradale Rest Area.

Distribution: Name and listing context

The taxon name is Lerista planiventralis maryani. A 2026 taxonomic note reports that the subspecies of L. planiventralis were synonymised.

No national listing is given.

Habitat: Available habitat information

Habitat information specific to maryani is sparse. Broad species-level habitat descriptions provide context but do not confirm the taxon's site requirements.

Specific habitat for maryani has not been documented. Species-level descriptions characterize L. planiventralis as terrestrial and burrowing, and label its habitat as desert.

Habitat: Site assessment

Do not exclude potential habitat solely because a site does not match a broad desert label. Record ground cover, substrate, landform and moisture conditions during site assessment, while recognising that the taxon's particular habitat preferences are unknown.

Foraging habitat: Diet information

Foraging locations and feeding behaviour have not been described specifically for maryani.

L. planiventralis is described at species level as carnivorous and feeding on small invertebrates. Its diet and prey list have not been documented specifically for maryani.

Foraging habitat: Precaution for works

Where ground disturbance is planned, retain undisturbed patches of ground cover and soil where practicable. This is a general precaution for a terrestrial skink, not a documented foraging requirement of maryani.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding habitat, season and reproductive details for maryani are not documented.

Species-level information describes L. planiventralis as oviparous, but breeding timing and breeding locations for maryani are unknown.

Breeding habitat: Planning precaution

Do not assume that a particular month or site feature is free of breeding activity. If suitable-looking ground is to be disturbed, use the project ecologist's assessment and any required approvals to determine appropriate precautions.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

Specific shelter sites for maryani have not been documented. Species-level information indicates a burrowing way of life.

Species-level descriptions characterize L. planiventralis as burrowing and terrestrial. A maryani-specific burrow description, shelter depth or refuge type has not been recorded.

Sheltering habitat: Ground disturbance

As a general precaution for a potentially burrowing skink, treat soil, loose ground cover and concealed refuges as possible shelter areas. Avoid presenting any particular substrate or refuge as confirmed habitat for maryani.

Threats: Status and evidence

Specific threats to maryani have not been documented. Its DBCA Priority 1 status reflects that it is poorly known and known from few locations.

The taxon is listed as Priority 1 on the DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna List, with the Pilbara region flagged and none of its known locations on conservation lands. No taxon-specific threat assessment is available.

Threats: Potential worksite impacts

Clearing, excavation and vehicle movement can directly affect terrestrial fauna and ground refuges. These are general worksite risks to manage cautiously, not documented threats specific to maryani.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Survey methods and detectability specific to maryani have not been documented. Use a suitably qualified herpetologist and treat non-detection as inconclusive.

Check the latest DBCA information, project records and available occurrence data before works. Review the Barradale locality information and the broad north-west WA record envelope, without treating the limited records as a complete range.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

As general skink survey practice, inspect suitable ground and cover carefully, and search methodically for animals while avoiding unnecessary damage to refuges. Record survey effort, conditions, searched habitat and any limitations.

Survey methodology: 3. Identification and records

Photograph any candidate animal clearly, including diagnostic scale and limb features where possible. Record precise coordinates, date, habitat observations and identification confidence. Use an appropriate permit and handling protocol for any capture.

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

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

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

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. Desktop and approvals

Plan works on the basis that the taxon's distribution and ecology are poorly known, particularly where activity is within the Pilbara range context.

Confirm the current DBCA listing and advice, review available records and establish whether fauna handling or survey approvals are required. Ensure the site team understands the distinction between a DBCA priority listing and a statutory threatened-species listing.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Site survey and boundaries

Have a suitably qualified ecologist assess the disturbance footprint and nearby ground before clearing. Mark approved work limits and any areas to be retained or avoided, and brief operators on stop-work and reporting procedures.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Staged clearing

Use staged, controlled work and maintain a clear response if a candidate skink is encountered. These measures are precautionary general practice, not species-specific prescriptions.

Keep machinery within the authorised footprint and clear progressively where practicable. Have the fauna spotter catcher inspect the active work area and any material before it is moved.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Animal encounter

If a possible maryani is found, pause work in the immediate area, protect the animal from people and machinery, and contact the project ecologist or authorised fauna handler. Do not handle, relocate or release it unless the responsible person is authorised and the applicable procedure permits this.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Record and resume

Record the location, photographs, identification decision and actions taken. Resume work only when the responsible environmental representative has confirmed the required response and controls.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Records and reporting

After works, retain a clear record of fauna observations and check that agreed site controls have been completed.

Provide sighting details, photographs, coordinates, survey effort and any handling or work stoppage information to the project ecologist. Follow applicable DBCA and project reporting requirements.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Site close-out

Inspect the work area for unapproved disturbance and confirm that retained areas and exclusion measures remain intact. Record any damage or corrective action needed.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed ground

Rehabilitation requirements specific to maryani have not been documented. Its habitat needs are poorly known, so avoid claiming that restored areas recreate known habitat.

Reinstate disturbed areas in line with the approved rehabilitation plan, using suitable local materials and reinstating ground cover where practicable. Prevent further disturbance to areas designated for retention.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and adapt

Document rehabilitation actions and any fauna observations. Where monitoring is required, use a qualified ecologist and interpret non-detections cautiously because taxon-specific detectability is not recorded.

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