AUSTRALIAN BIODIVERSITY RECORD - Calodema

Australian Biodiversity Record, 2009 (3): 1-96
National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974) and listed in that State as a Threatened Species
(Endangered) in Schedule 1 (part 1) of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act
(1995). Status unknown, but this species must be considered as endangered due to its limited
distribution and specialised habitat requirements.
Etymology: The name 'leuraensis' refers to the Type Locality of Leura, New South Wales.
Costinisauria worrelli Wells and Wellington, 1985
Costinisauria worrelli Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J. Herp.
Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [27] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September, 1985].
Type data: Holotype AM R116968 (previously AMF 16777). Type Locality: Barrington Tops,
NSW. [See Shea and Sadlier, 1999 - Tech. Rep. Aust. Mus. 15: 1-91 [p.59] where they
invalidly synonymised this species with kosciuskoi].
Eulamprus kosciuscoi Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 248]
Eulamprus kosciuskoi Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 483, 485]
Eulamprus kosciuskoi Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia [p.
218, plate on p. 219]
Eulamprus kosciuskoi Swan, Shea and Sadlier, 2004 - Rept. NSW [p. 147]
Eulamprus kosciuskoi Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia 2 nd
Edition [p. 234, pl. on 235]
Description: The base body colour is olive-brown dorsally, but unlike its relative C. kosciuskoi,
this species usually lacks the black vertebral stripe, and even the latero-dorsal stripes in some
specimens. A creamish, yellowish or pale brownish dorsolateral stripe runs from the neck and
along the body to the hips, but in some individuals this stripe may be very thin and rather
obscure. The upper lateral zone of the body is usually black and contains scattered pale
creamish or yellowish speckles or spots that may have an irregular vertical alignment to them.
The lower lateral zone is olive-grey, creamish or creamish-yellow occasionally with black
scales aligned to form short vertical barring. The upper parts of the limbs are the same colour
as the dorsum, but with black flecks and small blotches, and the side of the original tail is
heavily speckled with black; regenerated tails are plain brown. Lateral of head olive-brown,
with black flecking. Ventrally, creamish to pale yellowish, with greyish or blackish flecking -
particularly posteriorly and subcaudally. Some significant features of this species morphology
are: body scales smooth in 36 rows at mid-body (generally lower than in C. kosciuskoi, but
higher than in C. leuraensis); paravertebrals 65 (higher than in C. leuraensis); parietals in
contact behind the interparietal (vs not in contact with C. leuraensis); interparietal elongate;
frontonasal in contact with rostral; prefrontals not in contact; frontal elongate and in contact
with first 3 supraoculars; supraoculars 4 (2nd the largest); frontoparietals divided and in
contact with 3rd and 4th supraoculars; supranasals absent; nasals separated; supralabials 7;
infralabials 6 (vs 8 in C. leuraensis); lower eyelid movable and scaly; supraciliaries 7; earopening
present and conspicuous (larger than nasal scale); no anterior ear lobules;
postmental contacts first two infralabials on each side; preanal scales enlarged; welldeveloped
pentadactyl limbs that overlap when adpressed; hind limbs much longer than
forelimbs; 4th toe much longer than the 3rd; base of 4th toe broad, with most lamellae
divided; 20-24 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe. Attains a maximum total length of around
140 mm. and a snout-vent length of about 60 mm.
Distribution: Known only from the northern tablelands of eastern New South Wales, ranging
from about Barrington Tops in the south, to the Gibraltar Range in the north. An isolated
population of this species also occurs in southern Queensland.
Habitat: Inhabits open areas of montane woodland, and tussock grass meadows, often in
association with small freshwater streams, marshes and boggy soaks; areas favoured may
include granite outcroppings with abundant scattered logs and dense ground cover of grasses
or sedges.
Biology/Ecology: This is a diurnal and essentially terrestrial species that basks either on the
top of grass tussocks, or logs on the ground, being usually encountered along stream flats
and verges, or the margins of boggy soaks. When disturbed, it seeks shelter beneath logs,
small rocks or under thick grass cover. Feeds mainly on small invertebrates, but will also eat
small lizards as well. This species is viviparous, producing up to 5 live young in a brood
during late summer.
Survival Status: Protected under the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974)
but not listed in that State as a Threatened Species in any of the Schedules of the NSW
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