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Pin-striped Finesnout Ctenotus (Ctenotus nigrilineatus)

The pin-striped finesnout Ctenotus is a small, diurnal skink known from Western Australia, with records associated with the Pilbara and a type locality at Woodstock. It is poorly known and listed as DBCA Priority 1, a priority category rather than a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is known from few locations, none on conservation lands. Works in suitable grassland or wetland habitat should account for the possibility of encountering it.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Months for activity, breeding or movement are not documented. Use year-round precautionary planning rather than assuming a low-risk season.

Seasonal timing: Species-specific seasonal information is not recorded.

Survey timing: The species is reported as diurnal, but survey months and seasonal detectability are not documented.

Month codes are not mapped to calendar months; the row indicates year-round planning only.

  • Precautionary survey and works planning: Planning window only. No species-specific months are known, so consider surveys and fauna precautions throughout the year.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification information is limited, so use the available features cautiously.

The name refers to dark stripes on the back. Greatest recorded snout-to-vent length is 49 mm, but a full description of colour, pattern and other diagnostic features is not available.

The Reptile Database reports five digits on the limbs and five toes.

  • Reported activity: diurnal.
  • Do not rely on size or stripes alone for a definitive identification.

Identification: Similar species

Species-specific features for separating this skink from similar Ctenotus are not documented. Where identification is uncertain, photograph the animal if this can be done without handling it and seek confirmation from a suitably qualified reptile specialist.

Identification: Field signs

Species-specific tracks, shelter signs, calls and other field signs are not documented. A live animal is the clearest evidence; general skink search methods may help locate individuals but do not confirm this species.

Distribution: Known range

Records indicate a restricted and poorly documented Western Australian distribution.

The species is reported from Western Australia. The Reptile Database gives Woodstock as the type locality, at 21°36' S, 119°01' E.

Atlas of Living Australia records show 19 Western Australian records at four distinct 0.1-degree locations, spanning latitude -22.8 to -21.3 and longitude 117.8 to 120.4. Records outside Western Australia were excluded as likely errors.

Distribution: WA regions

DBCA lists the species in the Pilbara region. It is poorly known, known from few locations, and none are on conservation lands.

Habitat: Recorded habitat

Habitat information is sparse, and the available labels do not provide a detailed account of where the species occurs.

Grassland and wetlands are listed as habitat. Vegetation structure, substrate, microhabitat and the strength of the species' association with either habitat type are not documented.

Habitat: Site assessment

For planning, consider grassland and wetland areas within the known Pilbara region as potential habitat, while recognising that the species' habitat requirements are poorly known. Do not assume that other parts of a site are unsuitable solely because they are not mentioned in habitat descriptions.

Foraging habitat: Known information

The species' diet and foraging locations have not been documented.

Its diet is unknown. Taxon-specific information about prey, hunting behaviour, foraging height or feeding habitat is not documented.

Foraging habitat: Precaution on site

Do not infer a preferred feeding area from general skink ecology. Retain the precautionary approach for potential habitat, including grassland and wetland areas, until site surveys and any relevant approvals establish otherwise.

Breeding habitat: Known information

Reproduction is reported as egg-laying, but breeding timing and location have not been documented.

The species is oviparous. Egg numbers, incubation, breeding months, maturity and the type of egg-laying site are not recorded.

Breeding habitat: Works planning

Because breeding periods and nest locations are unknown, do not assume that disturbance outside a particular season avoids breeding impacts. Apply survey and clearing precautions throughout the year where potential habitat may be affected.

Sheltering habitat: Known information

Species-specific shelter and retreat information is not available.

Whether this species shelters in soil, litter, vegetation, crevices or other features has not been documented.

Sheltering habitat: General field precaution

As general practice when searching for skinks, inspect accessible ground-level cover carefully and avoid damaging or blindly overturning potential refuges. Treat any animal found in cover as potentially requiring protection, and follow the approved fauna handling and relocation procedure.

Threats: Known status

Specific threats to this species have not been identified.

DBCA lists the species as Priority 1 and describes it as poorly known and known from few locations, none on conservation lands. No national listing is recorded. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern, but particular site-level threats have not been established.

Threats: Development risks

Specific sensitivities to clearing, traffic, fire, grazing or habitat change are not recorded. As a precaution, minimise direct harm to fauna and avoid unnecessary disturbance of potential habitat during works.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species detectability and survey methods have not been documented. Use a cautious, documented search approach suited to skinks and the habitat present.

Check current DBCA information, available occurrence records and the proposed disturbance footprint. Records indicate a Western Australian range, a Pilbara region listing and a type locality at Woodstock.

Survey methodology: 2. Habitat inspection

Walk the survey area and map grassland and wetland habitat, the two habitat types listed for the species. Record the condition of the area and any ground-level cover or other features that can be checked safely, without assuming these features are species-specific.

Survey methodology: 3. Search and identification

As general skink survey practice, search suitable areas systematically and inspect accessible ground-level cover where safe and permitted. The species is reported as diurnal, but no survey season, search effort, detection rate or validated survey method is available for this species.

Record the location, time, conditions, photographs and identification basis for each observation. Seek expert confirmation for uncertain records.

Survey methodology: 4. Survey limits

A failure to detect the species does not demonstrate its absence. Document the methods and limitations, and seek advice from the relevant authorities where the species may be affected.

Vegetation associations: Tussock grassland

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

Grassland and wetlands are listed as habitat.

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.

Vegetation associations: Wetland or sedgeland

Grassland and wetlands are listed as habitat.

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.

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.

Grassland and wetlands are listed as habitat.

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 requirements

Plan works on the basis that the species may be present in potential habitat, while recognising the limits of current knowledge.

Check current DBCA advice, project approvals and any applicable fauna management requirements before works begin.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Survey and map

Arrange for an appropriately qualified ecologist to assess potential habitat and undertake suitable searches before disturbance. Map survey coverage, observations and areas where survey was limited.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Prepare the work area

Define clearing limits, retain habitat outside the approved footprint and brief crews on the possibility of encountering small skinks. Ensure fauna handling, reporting and stop-work arrangements are in place before vegetation or ground disturbance.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Work to limits

Keep disturbance controlled and respond promptly to any fauna encounter.

Keep machinery, vehicles and clearing within the approved footprint. Avoid unnecessary disturbance of grassland, wetland areas and ground-level cover that can be retained.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If a suspected pin-striped finesnout Ctenotus is found, pause work in the immediate area, prevent further harm and contact the site ecologist or fauna spotter catcher. Do not handle the animal unless authorised and competent to do so.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Record and manage

Record the location and circumstances, and photograph the animal if this can be done without increasing risk. Follow the approved procedure for identification, temporary protection or relocation, and any required notifications.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Inspect the footprint

After works, document fauna outcomes and check that disturbance has remained within approved limits.

Check the completed work area and its boundaries for fauna requiring assistance, damage beyond the approved footprint or other issues requiring follow-up.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Report outcomes

Record survey effort, encounters, identification confidence, actions taken and any fauna outcomes. Provide reports to the project team and relevant authorities as required by approvals or management procedures.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Review controls

Review any encounter or unexpected impact with the ecologist and site team. Update work controls where needed before further disturbance in potential habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed areas

Rehabilitation should not imply habitat requirements that have not been established for this species.

Rehabilitate areas in line with project approvals and the local restoration plan. Where grassland or wetland habitat has been disturbed, use locally appropriate methods and avoid creating additional disturbance outside the footprint.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and adapt

Monitor rehabilitation against the project objectives and record any fauna observations. Species-specific rehabilitation targets, shelter requirements and habitat recovery times have not been documented.

Sources