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Spotted Ctenotus (Northeast) (Ctenotus uber johnstonei)

The spotted Ctenotus (northeast) is a terrestrial skink subspecies recorded in northeast Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Western Australian records are few, and its ecology is poorly known, so careful identification, survey and avoidance of unnecessary harm are important on development sites. It is listed as DBCA Priority 2 in Western Australia, a DBCA priority category rather than a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 2.

Seasonal planning

Activity and breeding months for Ctenotus uber johnstonei are unknown. Use the full year as a planning window for precautionary checks, not as a claim about seasonal activity.

Species-specific seasonal data: Activity, breeding and movement months have not been recorded for this subspecies.

Species-specific and close-relative seasonal information is not available.

  • Precautionary survey and works planning: Planning window only. Seasonal activity is not documented; assess site conditions and apply precautionary survey and encounter procedures whenever works occur.

Identification: Appearance and size

Field identification information for this subspecies is limited. The features and size below describe Ctenotus uber overall, not a complete description of johnstonei.

The Ctenotus uber diagnosis describes pale spots in a dark laterodorsal stripe and the absence of a pale midlateral stripe. Whether these features vary in the johnstonei subspecies is unknown.

A maximum snout-to-vent length of 82 mm is reported for Ctenotus uber overall. A size range specific to johnstonei has not been recorded.

Identification: Similar species and field signs

Ctenotus uber is distinguished from Ctenotus mimetes by the stripe and spot features described above. Use a reliable identification key or seek expert confirmation if the distinction is uncertain.

Distinctive tracks, scats, shed skins or other field signs for this subspecies have not been documented.

Distribution: Known range

The subspecies is known from northeast Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Its Western Australian occurrence records are sparse.

Ctenotus uber johnstonei is recorded from northeast Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Balgo Hill in Western Australia is its stated type locality.

Distribution: Western Australian records

Atlas of Living Australia records show 10 Western Australian records in two distinct 0.1-degree locations, spanning latitude -20.3 to -20.2 and longitude 127.8 to 128. These records provide no additional named localities.

The WA Priority Fauna List flags the Kimberley and Pilbara regions. The limited record information does not establish continuous occupancy across either region.

Habitat: Habitat information

Habitat use by johnstonei is poorly known. Broader habitat information for Ctenotus uber can help guide precautionary site checks but is not confirmed for this subspecies.

Ctenotus uber is associated with grassland, rocky areas, savanna and shrubland. Which of these habitats are used by johnstonei is unknown.

Habitat: Site interpretation

Where development overlaps these broad habitat types within the known regional range, include the areas in site assessment and survey planning. Record the vegetation and ground conditions present rather than assuming they are occupied.

Foraging habitat: Diet information

Foraging habitat and feeding behaviour have not been documented specifically for johnstonei.

Ctenotus uber is described as omnivorous, with reports of insects or other arthropods and some plant matter in its diet. These details are not confirmed for the johnstonei subspecies.

Foraging habitat: Survey considerations

Do not infer a particular feeding patch or prey resource from the broader diet account. During site inspections, document ground cover, rocky features and vegetation in the areas assessed, without treating any one feature as a confirmed foraging requirement.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding information is limited, and breeding habitat and season are unknown for johnstonei.

Ctenotus uber johnstonei is oviparous. Ctenotus uber is reported to lay a clutch of two eggs, but this has not been confirmed specifically for johnstonei.

Breeding habitat: Breeding sites and timing

Egg-laying sites, incubation period, number of clutches per year and breeding months have not been recorded for this subspecies. Do not designate a particular season or ground feature as a breeding period or site without supporting evidence.

Sheltering habitat: Known information

Specific shelter types and sheltering behaviour have not been documented for this subspecies.

Burrows, crevices, litter, logs and other potential refuges have not been identified as shelters used by johnstonei.

Sheltering habitat: Precaution on site

As general skink survey practice, inspect suitable ground-level cover and crevices carefully where they occur, and avoid damaging or discarding potential refuges before inspection. Do not describe a refuge feature as species-specific without supporting evidence.

Threats: Status

Specific threats to johnstonei have not been identified. Its DBCA Priority 2 status reflects a poorly known taxon known from few locations.

The taxon is listed as Priority 2 on the DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna List dated 1 July 2025, with the Kimberley and Pilbara regions flagged. This is a DBCA priority-list category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It has no national listing.

Threats: Threat information

Species-specific threats, population trend and response to disturbance have not been recorded. Avoid presenting general development risks as documented threats to this subspecies.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Detectability and survey methods are poorly known for this subspecies. Use cautious, repeatable searches appropriate for a small terrestrial skink and record the limits of each survey.

Check the proposed footprint against the known northeast Western Australian range, the Kimberley and Pilbara regional flags, and available records. Treat the small number of atlas records as evidence of limited records, not proof that the taxon is absent elsewhere.

Survey methodology: 2. Field searches

As general practice for skinks, search suitable ground-level habitat using careful visual inspection and, where appropriate, inspect cover and crevices. A preferred survey method, season, time of day and detection probability have not been established for this subspecies.

Survey methodology: 3. Records and identification

Photograph diagnostic features where safe and lawful, record coordinates and habitat, and retain notes on search effort and conditions. Seek expert confirmation for uncertain identifications, particularly where diagnostic characters cannot be clearly observed.

Vegetation associations: Shrubland

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

Ctenotus uber is associated with grassland, rocky areas, savanna and shrubland.

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: Tussock grassland

Ctenotus uber is associated with grassland, rocky areas, savanna and shrubland.

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: Rocky, stony or shallow ground

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

Ctenotus uber is associated with grassland, rocky areas, savanna and shrubland.

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.

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. Review the footprint

Plan works on the basis that occurrence may be possible in suitable regional habitat, while recognising that habitat needs are poorly known.

Review records, regional information and the broad habitat categories reported for Ctenotus uber. Map vegetation and ground features within the footprint and nearby areas, and identify areas that can be avoided.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Prepare the work area

Brief the crew on the possibility of encountering a small skink, the limited identification information and the need to stop and seek advice if an uncertain animal is found. Establish a clear procedure for recording and reporting encounters.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Set controls

Use applicable approvals and project procedures to set survey, exclusion and fauna-handling controls. Mark no-go areas clearly and minimise the area of disturbance.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Work progressively

Keep disturbance controlled and respond cautiously to any skink encounter. Species-specific handling and displacement procedures are not established.

Keep clearing within marked limits and proceed in a controlled manner so the fauna spotter can inspect the active work area. Avoid unnecessary disturbance to adjacent habitat.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to an encounter

Pause work in the immediate area if a possible individual is seen. Do not handle it unless authorised and competent to do so under the relevant procedures; contact the fauna spotter or project ecologist to confirm identification and determine the next step.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Record and report

Record the location, circumstances, photographs where practicable, identification confidence and action taken. Escalate an unconfirmed or potentially significant encounter through the project’s environmental reporting process.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Check the work area

After works, confirm that disturbance stayed within the approved area and that fauna encounters were documented and followed up.

Inspect the disturbance boundary and nearby retained habitat for unauthorised clearing or damage. Report unexpected impacts through the project’s environmental process.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Close out records

Compile survey effort, encounter records, identification outcomes and management actions. Share verified records with relevant project personnel and follow applicable reporting requirements.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed areas

Rehabilitation requirements have not been specified for this subspecies. Restore suitable local ground conditions without claiming to recreate a known species-specific habitat.

Rehabilitate temporarily disturbed areas using locally appropriate methods and materials consistent with project approvals. Minimise further disturbance to retained vegetation and ground features.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor outcomes

Check rehabilitation against the project’s agreed objectives and record establishment and any fauna observations. Do not treat an absence of sightings as evidence that the subspecies is absent.

Sources