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Unpatterned Robust Slider (Robertson Range) (Lerista macropisthopus remota)

The Unpatterned Robust Slider (Robertson Range) is a poorly known skink subspecies recorded from central interior Western Australia, with its type locality at Coondra Coondra Spring in the Robertson Range. Its limited known distribution and sparse information make careful searches and precautionary handling important on works sites. It is listed as DBCA Priority 2 in Western Australia.

Conservation status

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

Seasonal planning

Seasonal activity and breeding information for this subspecies are unknown. The row below is a planning window only and does not indicate when the animal is active or breeding.

Breeding season: Not recorded.

Seasonal activity: Not recorded.

Months are not specified for this species; the general row is not evidence of year-round activity.

  • Survey and work planning: Planning window only. No species-specific seasonal pattern is known; maintain appropriate survey and fauna-response precautions at any time of year.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identification information is limited. Confirm any identification with current expert guidance, especially where other Lerista occur.

Lerista macropisthopus is described as a dark, robust skink with little or no colour pattern, two fingers on each forelimb and three toes on each hindlimb. A separate detailed description or measurements for this subspecies are not available.

Body length, total length, colour variation and other diagnostic details for the Robertson Range subspecies have not been recorded.

Identification: Similar species

Species likely to be confused with this subspecies have not been identified. The limited description means visual identification alone may be uncertain.

  • Record clear photographs and location details where possible.
  • Seek confirmation from a suitably experienced herpetologist if identification is uncertain.

Identification: Field signs

Species-specific tracks, burrows and other field signs are not described. Lerista are generally cryptozoic or fossorial skinks, so an animal may not be visible during a surface inspection.

Distribution: Known range

The known range is in the central interior of Western Australia. Records are geographically sparse, and the full distribution is not established.

The subspecies is recorded from central interior Western Australia. Its type locality is Coondra Coondra Spring in the Robertson Range. Atlas of Living Australia records show 25 Western Australian records at 11 distinct 0.1-degree locations, between latitude -24.6 and -23 and longitude 119 and 121.

Distribution: WA regions and status

The DBCA priority list flags the Pilbara and Goldfields regions. Priority 2 is a DBCA priority category for poorly known fauna known from few locations, some on conservation lands. It is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. No national listing is recorded.

Habitat: Known habitat information

Habitat used by this subspecies has not been documented. Not all apparently suitable ground within its mapped range should be assumed to be occupied.

No vegetation, soil, landform or habitat association has been recorded for the Robertson Range subspecies. Its type locality establishes a recorded place, not a habitat preference.

Habitat: Site interpretation

Treat potential habitat on a development site as uncertain where the site is within or near the known central interior range. Use local records and site assessment rather than assigning habitat from the taxon's name or regional setting.

Foraging habitat: Foraging information

Diet, prey and foraging locations have not been documented.

Feeding behaviour and foraging habitat have not been recorded. Do not infer prey or feeding areas for this taxon from the parent species name or general skink ecology.

Foraging habitat: Precaution on site

Where works may disturb ground, retain the opportunity for a trained fauna spotter to inspect disturbed areas and any animals exposed during works. This is a precautionary approach, not a species-specific foraging method.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

The parent taxon is reported as egg-laying, but breeding sites and timing for this subspecies are unknown.

Lerista macropisthopus is reported as oviparous. Clutch size, egg-laying season, incubation, nesting sites and juvenile habitat for the Robertson Range subspecies are unknown.

Breeding habitat: Works planning

Do not schedule or modify works on the assumption that breeding is confined to a particular season or habitat. Where ground disturbance is planned, use careful inspection and fauna response procedures throughout the year.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

Specific refuge sites for this subspecies are unknown.

No species-specific shelter, retreat or burrow information is recorded. Lerista are generally cryptozoic or fossorial, but the shelter types used by this subspecies are unknown.

Sheltering habitat: Inspection approach

When searching for small skinks, inspect ground-level cover and exposed material carefully before removing or moving it. Do not assume an apparently empty shelter or disturbed patch is unoccupied.

Threats: Known pressures

Specific threats to the Robertson Range subspecies have not been identified.

No species-specific threat analysis is available. Its DBCA Priority 2 status reflects poor knowledge and records from few locations.

Threats: Potential work impacts

Ground disturbance and vegetation or cover removal can expose fauna during clearing. These are general risks to small terrestrial fauna on works sites, not documented threats specific to this subspecies.

Survey methodology: 1. Review records and scope

Species-specific survey methods and detectability are unknown. Surveys should account for the possibility that a small skink may not be visible at the surface.

Check current DBCA and project records for the site and nearby areas, particularly where works are in the Pilbara or Goldfields regions. Confirm the proposed survey area, disturbance footprint and access before fieldwork.

Survey methodology: 2. Search carefully

As general skink survey practice, search suitable ground systematically and inspect surface cover and exposed material with care. Lerista are generally cryptozoic or fossorial, so a lack of surface sightings should not be treated as proof of absence.

Survey methodology: 3. Record and verify

Record search effort, conditions, locations and observations. Photograph animals where practicable and seek expert identification for uncertain records. No species-specific detection probability or effective survey season is known.

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. Check the footprint

Plan for uncertainty because this subspecies is poorly known and its habitat associations are undocumented.

Review the current design and known fauna records before clearing. Confirm whether the site falls within or near the reported central interior range and consider whether the disturbance footprint can be reduced.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Brief the work team

Brief the fauna spotter, ecologist and clearing crew on the limited identification information, the need to pause if a suspected animal is found, and the agreed notification and response process.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Prepare fauna procedures

Arrange a suitably experienced fauna spotter where required by approvals or the project plan. Ensure the crew has a clear stop-work and escalation process and suitable equipment for safe observation and documentation.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Work in a controlled sequence

Use cautious, staged work practices and respond promptly to any suspected slider encountered during works.

Keep clearing within the approved footprint and proceed in manageable stages where practicable. Allow the fauna spotter to inspect areas as they are exposed and before material is moved or removed.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Pause for an animal

If a suspected slider is found, stop work in the immediate area, protect the animal from machinery and unnecessary handling, and notify the fauna spotter or project ecologist. Record its position and take photographs if safe to do so.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Minimise handling

An appropriately trained person should manage any necessary capture or relocation in accordance with approvals and project procedures. Lerista are generally described as having fragile tails, so avoid grasping or handling an animal by the tail.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Confirm the area is clear

After an encounter or clearance event, retain accurate records and follow the project's fauna and approval requirements.

Before restarting work in the affected area, have the fauna spotter assess the immediate work zone and confirm that the animal has been managed under the agreed procedure.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Document the event

Record the date, location, activity, identification basis, photographs, condition of the animal and any action taken. Report the record through the project's agreed channels and retain it with the site fauna records.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Review controls

Review whether work sequencing, supervision or site controls should be adjusted in response to the observation. Do not treat a single absence of sightings as evidence that the wider site is unoccupied.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Reinstate disturbed ground

Rehabilitation should avoid assumptions about the subspecies' preferred vegetation, soil or shelter, which are unknown.

Where required by the project plan, stabilise and reinstate disturbed ground using site-appropriate methods that limit further disturbance beyond the approved footprint.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Retain site information

Keep records of fauna observations, disturbance boundaries and rehabilitation actions. Use verified site information to guide future works or rehabilitation decisions.

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