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Triodia Earless Skink (Hemiergis millewae)

The Triodia Earless Skink is a small, semi-fossorial skink associated with Triodia grasslands and mallee habitats. It is recorded from New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, and is listed as Endangered in Victoria. Clearing of unburnt mallee and Triodia habitat can remove the ground cover and soil conditions with which the species is associated.

Conservation status

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Endangered.

Breeding season

Triodia Earless Skinks give birth to one or two live young in late summer. Timing for mating, pregnancy, adult activity and winter sheltering is not recorded, so plan additional controls during late summer births and when animals may be inactive in shelter.

Reproductive mode: Ovoviviparous. Females give birth to live young.

Litter size: One or two live young.

Gestation: Not recorded.

Size at birth: Not recorded.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Nest or egg sites: Not applicable. No nest or birthing site is recorded.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded.

Confirm timing at the work site, because local rainfall and temperature can affect reptile activity and the timing of breeding and sheltering.

  • Births: Births are reported in late summer, which is generally January to February in southern Australia. No narrower month or peak month is recorded.
  • Newborns: Newborns are expected around the reported late summer birth period, generally January to February. The timing of juvenile emergence and abundance is not separately recorded.
  • Active period: No species-specific activity months are reported. As a general planning assumption for a small skink in southern Australian mallee and Triodia, surface activity is more likely in warmer months, approximately October to April.
  • Winter inactivity: Brumation and winter sheltering are not recorded for this species. For works planning in southern Australia, treat June to August as a period when some reptiles may remain in soil spaces, vegetation bases or other shelter and may be less able to escape machinery.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is higher during the late summer birth and newborn period, generally January to March, and during the cooler June to August period when reptiles may be sheltering. The species is associated with unburnt mallee and Triodia, including very open mallee communities, so connected habitat should be checked before clearing.

Identification

This is a small, semi-fossorial skink. The supplied sources do not provide body length, weight, colour description or sex-specific field marks.

The species has five digits on each limb and five toes. The ear depression is deep, the nasals are separated, and the prefrontals are only narrowly separated.

Digits: Five fingers and five toes

Ear: Deep ear depression

Nasal scales: Separated

Prefrontal scales: Only narrowly separated

Subdigital lamellae: 13 to 16 under the fourth toe

Identification: Distinguishing features

The published diagnosis describes a combination of pentadactyl limbs, a deep ear depression, separated nasals, narrowly separated prefrontals, usually two nuchals, six to seven supraciliaries and seven supralabials. The fifth supralabial is subocular.

Nuchals: Usually two

Supraciliaries: Six to seven

Supralabials: Seven, with the fifth subocular

  • Use the full scale combination rather than one character when separating this skink from other small skinks.
  • The species is allied to Hemiergis, so identification should be checked against an appropriate regional key and voucher photographs or specimens where practical.

Identification: Field signs

The supplied documents do not describe diagnostic tracks, scats, calls, nests, sloughs or eyeshine. No sex-specific field characters, body measurements or weight are provided.

  • Treat a sighting as unconfirmed if the animal was not examined closely enough to assess the scale characters.
  • Photograph the dorsal and lateral head, ear opening, limbs, digits and underside where this can be done without handling the animal unnecessarily.

Distribution: National range

The species is recorded across four Australian states. The available material identifies the Murray Mallee and the Victorian Millewa area as important documented locations, but does not establish the full set of strongholds or subpopulations.

The Reptile Database records Hemiergis millewae from New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. The type locality is Millewa South bore in Victoria.

New South Wales: Recorded in the national distribution

South Australia: Recorded in the national distribution

Victoria: Recorded in the national distribution; type locality at Millewa South bore

Western Australia: Recorded in the national distribution

  • For project assessments, check state databases and local records because the supplied distribution source gives states but no mapped locality list.

Distribution: Documented concentrations

The Murray Mallee Biological Survey recorded the species in the Murray Mallee study area. It was associated particularly with reptile assemblage group 3, which comprised 22 sites and was characterised by unburnt mallee and Triodia associations.

Murray Mallee survey records: Five observations in the opportune record table

Reptile assemblage group 3: 22 sites

Records in assemblage group 3: Four occurrences reported for Hemiergis millewae

  • The survey included five records in the opportune record table and four records within reptile assemblage group 3.
  • These are survey records, not an estimate of abundance or population size.

Distribution: Population information

The supplied documents do not provide a national population estimate, density estimate, population trend, generation length or defined subpopulation boundaries.

  • Do not interpret the number of survey records as a population estimate.
  • A project record should be retained even where the species is not detected, because absence from a limited survey does not define the species' local distribution.

Habitat: Habitat types

The strongest habitat information links the Triodia Earless Skink with Triodia and mallee systems, especially unburnt mallee with a Triodia component.

The Murray Mallee survey describes the species as commonly found in Triodia habitats. It characterises its occurrence by unburnt mallee and Triodia associations, particularly very open mallee dominated by Eucalyptus gracilis and Eucalyptus oleosa.

Primary association: Triodia habitats

Strongest documented association: Unburnt mallee and Triodia

Named dominant community: Eucalyptus gracilis and Eucalyptus oleosa very open mallee

  • Prioritise searches in intact or unburnt mallee with a Triodia ground layer.
  • Include adjoining open mallee and semi-arid scrub where the ground vegetation remains continuous.

Habitat: Vegetation communities

The survey recorded the species within a broader set of mallee, woodland, shrubland and very open grassland communities. Other listed communities included Eucalyptus leptophylla and Eucalyptus socialis open mallee, low open woodland, tall open shrubland and very open grassland.

  • Map Triodia and mallee vegetation before clearing.
  • Retain connected patches of native ground vegetation where the project footprint allows.

Habitat: Site conditions

The available sources identify an unburnt condition and a Triodia ground layer as important site attributes. They do not provide elevation limits, climatic limits, soil specifications or a measured vegetation density.

  • Record recent fire history, Triodia cover, mallee structure and the condition of the ground layer during habitat assessment.
  • Do not apply an elevation or minimum cover threshold that is not supported by site-specific survey information.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding

The supplied documents do not report the species' diet, prey, feeding times or foraging range. Its semi-fossorial form and association with Triodia and mallee indicate that searches should include the ground layer and the soil surface beneath it.

No dietary items, prey plants, feeding rate or foraging distance are provided in the supplied sources.

  • Record any direct feeding observation separately from habitat or incidental records.
  • Avoid disturbing the Triodia litter and soil surface more than needed during searches.

Foraging habitat: Foraging habitat

The species is described as semi-fossorial and is associated with Triodia habitats, particularly unburnt mallee and Triodia communities. The sources do not identify a discrete foraging patch size or home range.

Foraging range: Not reported

Known prey: Not reported

Feeding period: Not reported

  • Search the bases of Triodia tussocks, the adjoining soil surface and retained native ground cover using approved reptile survey methods.
  • Treat the full connected Triodia and mallee ground layer within and beside a proposed clearing area as potential foraging habitat until field assessment shows otherwise.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

The species is reported as ovoviviparous. The supplied documents do not provide its breeding season, litter size, gestation period, age at maturity or lifespan.

Ovoviviparity means that development occurs within the female and young are born live. No further reproductive measurements or timing are given in the supplied material.

Reproductive mode: Ovoviviparous

Breeding season: Not reported

Litter size: Not reported

Gestation: Not reported

Age at maturity: Not reported

Lifespan: Not reported

  • Do not assign a breeding season or litter size without local records or a species-specific reference.
  • If a gravid female or young is found, record the date, location, habitat, weather and handling details and release the animal at the capture point where permitted.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat

No nest, birthing site or specific breeding structure is described. The documented association with unburnt mallee and Triodia indicates that these habitats should be retained around any confirmed record during breeding investigations.

  • Avoid assuming that only the immediate capture point is breeding habitat.
  • Inspect connected Triodia and unburnt mallee around records before clearing or soil disturbance.

Sheltering habitat: Likely shelter context

The species is described as semi-fossorial, but the supplied sources do not identify its burrows, refuges, shelter dimensions or use of logs, hollows or litter.

The documented habitat is unburnt mallee and Triodia, including very open mallee communities. The sources do not state whether the species excavates its own burrows or uses existing cracks, soil spaces, litter or vegetation bases.

Lifestyle: Semi-fossorial

Refuge type: Not specified

Refuge dimensions: Not reported

  • Retain Triodia tussocks, native ground cover and undisturbed soil around records where practicable.
  • Inspect areas proposed for clearing or grading using methods suitable for small semi-fossorial skinks.

Sheltering habitat: Site assessment

No shelter size, burrow depth, hollow size or refuge density is available in the supplied documents. A lack of visible refuge does not exclude the species from a Triodia or mallee site.

  • Record visible shelter features, soil disturbance, Triodia tussock structure and recent fire history during pre-clearing checks.
  • Use an ecologist or fauna spotter catcher familiar with small semi-fossorial reptiles where habitat is to be cleared.

Threats: Clearing and construction

The supplied documents do not present a formal threat assessment. Project risk can nevertheless be identified from the species' Endangered Victorian status and its documented association with Triodia and unburnt mallee.

Clearing of Triodia, unburnt mallee and associated native ground cover can remove habitat used by this semi-fossorial skink. Grading, trenching, compaction and stockpiling can also disturb the soil layer in which a semi-fossorial species may shelter or move.

  • Delineate no-go areas around retained Triodia and mallee habitat before works begin.
  • Keep vehicle movements, topsoil stripping and spoil storage out of retained habitat.
  • Use staged clearing and fauna spotter catcher procedures where clearing cannot be avoided.

Threats: Fire and fragmentation

The survey associated the species particularly with unburnt mallee and Triodia. Broadscale fire or repeated disturbance may reduce the habitat condition described in the survey. Fragmentation from roads and infrastructure may reduce continuity between suitable patches, although species-specific movement distances are not reported.

  • Record fire history and include it in habitat suitability assessments.
  • Avoid unnecessary breaks through connected Triodia and mallee patches.
  • Plan fauna escape routes and safe work boundaries around active clearing.

Threats: Other pressures

The supplied sources do not document species-specific effects of predators, disease, hydrology change or road mortality. These pressures should be considered where they are relevant to the project, but should not be reported as demonstrated threats for this species without supporting evidence.

  • Check local records and approval conditions for additional threats identified at the project site.
  • Report any mortality, injury, predation or unusual disease observations with photographs and exact locations.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat assessment and daytime searches

Hemiergis millewae is a small, semi-fossorial skink associated with Triodia and mallee habitats. The available documents do not provide a species-specific survey guideline or minimum survey effort, so the project ecologist should apply the current survey requirements for reptiles in the relevant Australian jurisdiction and target dense litter, Triodia and unburnt mallee areas.

Map all Triodia, mallee and mallee heath within and around the disturbance footprint before selecting survey points.

Prioritise unburnt mallee and Triodia associations, particularly very open mallee dominated by Eucalyptus gracilis or Eucalyptus oleosa, because these habitats were associated with the species in the Murray Mallee survey.

Search dense litter and ground cover around Triodia clumps and mallee vegetation for small semi-fossorial skinks.

Inspect suitable ground refuges using methods approved by the relevant state authority, and replace disturbed litter and cover immediately after searching.

Documented habitat: Triodia habitats, mallee and mallee heath, with records associated with unburnt mallee and Triodia associations

Documented survey records: Five records in the Murray Mallee survey table, with four records in reptile assemblage group 3

Survey methodology: 2. Reptile trapping and active-period searches

Use pitfall, funnel or other reptile trapping only where permitted and where the method is suitable for the site, with trap design, checking frequency, shade, shelter and release procedures set by the current state survey guideline.

Run trapping and active searches during weather conditions that support reptile movement and detection, and record temperature, wind, cloud cover, recent rain and fire history for each survey period.

Include searches during the periods of the year specified by the relevant state guideline, because the supplied documents do not identify a species-specific activity season.

Use enough survey points and nights to cover each mapped patch of Triodia, litter-rich mallee and unburnt habitat, rather than relying on a single representative site.

Species-specific effort in supplied documents: No nights, trap nights, search hours, transect length or area-based effort is provided

Survey area context: The Murray Mallee survey assessed reptiles at 173 sites, with 133 sites and 31 species included in the final analysis

Survey methodology: 3. Detection records and identification checks

Photograph any suspected H. millewae without handling it unless handling is required by an authorised survey or fauna management procedure.

Record the location, habitat type, Triodia cover, litter condition, recent disturbance, fire history and whether the site is within retained or proposed clearing habitat.

Have identification checked by a suitably experienced herpetologist when the animal is not clearly distinguishable from other Hemiergis species.

Treat records under the names Hemiergis millewae and the documented common names Triodia Earless Skink and Rusty Earless Skink as records requiring taxonomic checking, because both names occur in the supplied documents.

Identification information: Five digits and five toes are documented, with a deep ear depression and 13 to 16 sub-digital lamellae under the fourth toe described for the associated diagnosis

Distribution: New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use the current state or territory reptile survey guideline to set the minimum number of survey periods, nights, trap nights, search hours and transect coverage for the project.
  • Document the footprint, survey dates, start and finish times, weather, methods, effort, habitat coverage, observers, identification checks and all positive and negative results.
  • Submit confirmed records to the relevant state or territory wildlife database and provide the record details required by that database.
  • Report any failure to achieve the planned effort, including unsafe conditions, access restrictions, trap losses or unsuitable weather, and explain how the survey limitation was managed.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Avoid clearing the habitat features most strongly associated with the species, especially Triodia, dense litter and unburnt mallee. Confirm the legal requirements before work starts and make the protection measures visible on the ground.

Retain intact Triodia patches, dense litter and unburnt mallee within the project area wherever practicable.

Retain connected strips of suitable ground cover between retained patches rather than isolating small Triodia or mallee remnants.

Avoid unnecessary removal, grading, slashing, burning or stockpiling over Triodia and litter-rich ground.

Give priority to retaining very open mallee associations containing Eucalyptus gracilis or Eucalyptus oleosa where these occur in the project area.

Habitat to retain: Triodia, dense litter, unburnt mallee and mallee heath

Recorded assemblage association: Unburnt mallee and Triodia associations, particularly Eucalyptus gracilis and Eucalyptus oleosa very open mallee

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and project planning

Check the current EPBC Act status and all applicable state or territory listings before finalising the work method, noting that the supplied project information identifies the species as Endangered in Victoria and not listed under the EPBC Act.

Obtain any required wildlife, handling, trapping, relocation, clearing and rehabilitation approvals before survey or disturbance begins.

Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies the species, suitable retained habitat, authorised personnel, stop-work triggers, capture and release procedures, injury response and reporting requirements.

Set the clearing sequence and survey timing using the relevant jurisdictional guidance and the species' documented association with unburnt Triodia and mallee habitat.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

Complete a pre-clearance survey across all proposed disturbance areas and any access tracks, compounds or stockpile areas that may affect Triodia or mallee habitat.

Mark retained Triodia, litter-rich ground and mallee patches on plans and on the ground before machinery enters the site.

Install exclusion fencing where it can protect retained ground cover from machinery, vehicle movements and material storage.

Brief all workers on the species' identification, the exclusion areas, the fauna spotter catcher's authority and the procedure for an animal found during works.

During habitat disturbance: Daily clearing controls

The fauna spotter catcher should control the immediate work area, maintain communication with operators and stop work when an animal or suitable refuge is at risk. Clearing should proceed progressively so that retained habitat remains available and disturbed ground is checked promptly.

Inspect exclusion fencing, retained habitat markers, access routes and stockpiles before work each day.

Keep machinery, vehicles, spoil and materials out of retained Triodia, litter and mallee areas.

Clear in small stages towards retained habitat where this is consistent with the approved fauna management plan and does not drive animals towards traffic or other hazards.

Maintain direct communication between the fauna spotter catcher, machine operators, supervisors and the environmental officer throughout clearing.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna spotter catcher response

Stop the relevant machine immediately when a suspected H. millewae is seen, exposed or at risk from the next clearing movement.

Allow only an appropriately authorised person to capture, handle or relocate the animal, in accordance with the permit and fauna management plan.

Relocate an uninjured animal only to nearby retained habitat that matches the documented Triodia, litter and mallee habitat requirements and is outside the active work area.

Do not place the animal in an unapproved container, release it into unsuitable cleared ground or move it farther than authorised.

Send an injured animal promptly to the nominated veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer, and record the outcome.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and stop-work triggers

Stop work and obtain ecological direction if clearing exposes an animal, an occupied refuge or a previously unmapped patch of suitable Triodia, dense litter or unburnt mallee habitat.

Handle logs, rocks, litter and other ground refuges only under the approved fauna procedure, and place any retained material in nearby suitable habitat where it is needed for rehabilitation.

Do not assume that the absence of a visible animal means that semi-fossorial habitat is unoccupied.

Stop work if exclusion fencing fails, a fauna management condition cannot be met, an unauthorised person handles an animal or the approved work limits are exceeded.

During habitat disturbance: Records and incident reporting

Record every sighting, capture, relocation, injury, death, escape, stop-work event and habitat feature disturbance on the day it occurs.

For each record, note the date, time, location, observer, activity, animal condition, identification confidence, action taken and release or treatment location.

Notify the project environmental officer and the relevant regulator when required by the approval, permit or fauna management plan.

Update the site map after each find so that remaining suitable habitat and any additional exclusion area are clearly marked.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance work should confirm that no animal or suitable refuge was missed and that retained Triodia and mallee habitat remains protected. Use the results to refine rehabilitation and any further work stages.

Inspect the cleared area, retained edges, access routes and disturbed stockpile areas after each clearing stage.

Check exposed litter, Triodia clumps and ground refuges for animals that may have been missed during mechanical clearing.

Keep exclusion fencing and habitat markers in place until the environmental officer confirms that the risk of secondary disturbance has ended.

Repeat checks after major changes to the work area, heavy vehicle movements or removal of temporary materials.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and compliance

Monitor retained Triodia, dense litter and unburnt mallee patches for damage, weed invasion, erosion, fire impacts and loss of connectivity during construction and maintenance.

Compare post-clearance observations with the pre-clearance habitat map and all fauna records.

Complete the approval, permit and fauna management plan reports, including survey effort, records, incidents, relocations and corrective actions.

Submit confirmed records and required project data to the relevant state or territory wildlife database.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and corrective action

Assess offsets or other statutory measures where residual impacts remain after avoidance, minimisation and rehabilitation.

Protect additional suitable Triodia or mallee habitat if monitoring identifies unexpected clearing impacts or a repeated pattern of animals entering the work area.

Review the clearing method before the next stage when a species record, injury, mortality or habitat failure indicates that controls were ineffective.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore Triodia and mallee structure

Rehabilitation should recreate the ground structure used by this semi-fossorial skink and reconnect retained Triodia and mallee patches. The supplied documents identify habitat associations but do not provide species-specific planting densities, fire intervals or rehabilitation success thresholds.

Re-establish Triodia and locally appropriate mallee vegetation where clearing has removed documented habitat.

Use local provenance seed or tubestock where required by the project approval and local restoration plan.

Prioritise restoration of open mallee structure and ground cover comparable with the retained Eucalyptus gracilis and Eucalyptus oleosa associations where those associations occur locally.

Avoid creating dense weed cover or bare compacted ground between retained and rehabilitated patches.

Documented rehabilitation targets: Triodia habitats, mallee and mallee heath, dense litter and unburnt mallee associations

Documented mallee associations: Eucalyptus gracilis and Eucalyptus oleosa very open mallee

Rehabilitation actions: Reinstate ground refuges and connectivity

Retain and replace suitable leaf litter and natural ground cover after earthworks, where this is consistent with weed and bushfire controls.

Reinstate locally occurring logs, rocks and other ground refuges removed during construction only where the fauna management plan identifies them as suitable and safe.

Connect rehabilitated Triodia and mallee patches to retained habitat with continuous or stepping-stone ground cover.

Do not place refuge material in drainage paths, fire access routes or locations where it will be removed during routine maintenance.

Rehabilitation actions: Fire, weeds and predators

Manage fire in accordance with the approved ecological fire plan, with particular attention to retaining unburnt Triodia and mallee habitat associated with the species.

Control weeds that reduce Triodia, litter and native mallee ground cover.

Manage introduced predators and other site-specific threats where required by the project approval or rehabilitation plan.

Avoid using broad disturbance or routine slashing that removes the litter and Triodia structure documented as habitat for the species.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor plant establishment, Triodia cover, litter retention, connectivity, weed cover, fire impacts and ground refuge condition at the intervals set by the approval or rehabilitation plan.

Use repeat reptile searches or trapping under the relevant state guideline to assess whether rehabilitated areas are being used, rather than relying only on vegetation establishment.

Set success measures before works begin, including survival of planted mallee, establishment of Triodia, retention of ground cover, control of weeds and protection from unauthorised disturbance.

Continue corrective actions until the site supports habitat features comparable with the retained local Triodia and mallee areas or until the regulator accepts an alternative outcome.

Species record context: The species was associated with unburnt mallee and Triodia in reptile assemblage group 3, and was recorded in five survey records in the Murray Mallee tables

Sources