AUSTRALIAN BIODIVERSITY RECORD - Calodema

Australian Biodiversity Record, 2009 (3): 1-96
streaks along the body. There is an irregular dark blackish streak that extends from the snout,
across the eye and onto the forebody where it fades. This dorsolateral streak may be dotted
with white along the neck as well, and forms a clear boundary line between the spotted lateral
of the body and the plainer dorsum. The lateral part of the body is paler brown than the
dorsum, and includes heavy black dotting and flecking throughout. The sides of the head are
also paler brown, and the supralabials are boldly edged with brown. Ventrally, whitish. Some
significant features of this species' morphology are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 26-31
rows at mid-body; mid-dorsal and mid-ventral scales subequal; parietals in contact behind the
interparietal; prefrontal not contacting first preocular; prefrontals separated; supranasals
absent; nasals separated; supraoculars 4; lower eyelid movable and scaly; supralabials 6;
postmental contacting a single infralabial on each side; ear opening present and conspicuous,
and equal to or larger than the nasal scale; ear lobules absent; well-developed pentadactyl
limbs, that nearly meet or just overlap when adpressed; 4th toe much longer than 3rd;
subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe 20-25. Attains a maximum total length of around 200 mm.
and a snout-vent length of about 90 mm.
Distribution: Restricted to the far northern Kimberley Zone of northern Western Australia.
Habitat: Inhabits tropical monsoon forest remnants and adjacent dense tropical woodland
along or near watercourses in gullies or rocky undulating areas.
Biology/Ecology: A crepuscular species that lives in areas covered by thick vegetation such
as along creeks or the base of rocky hills. Shelters amongst rocks and rotting logs with deep
leaf-litter and most active around sunset. Oviparous. Feeds on small invertebrates.
Survival Status: Protected under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (as amended).
Status unknown, and although reportedly common, this species may be considered as
potentially vulnerable due to its limited distribution and specialised habitat requirements.
Etymology: The name 'brongersmai' honours a Dutch herpetologist, the late Leo Daniel
Brongersma.
Mawsoniascincus douglasi (Storr, 1967)
Sphenomorphus isolepis douglasi Storr, G.M. (1967). The genus Sphenomorphus (Lacertilia:
Scincidae) in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. J. R. Soc. West. Aust. 50: 10-20
[16]. Type data: Holotype WAM R23446. Type Locality: Darwin, NT [12º25'S 130º49'E].
Sphenomorphus isolepis [part] Swanson, 1976 - Lizards of Australia [p. 27, pl. 51]
Glaphyromorphus douglasi Wells and Wellington, 1984 - Synopsis Cl. Rept. Austr. [p. 95].
Mawsoniascincus douglasi Wells and Wellington, 1985 - Classif. Amph. Rept. Aust. Aust. J.
Herp. Suppl. Ser. 1: 1-61 [p. 33] [March 1985 on title page, but not published until September,
1985].
Sphenomorphus douglasi Ehmann, 1992 - Encycl. Austr. Anim. Reptiles. [p. 330]
Glaphyromorphus douglasi Cogger, 2000 - Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia [Pp. 492-
493]
Glaphyromorphus douglasi Wilson and Swan, 2003 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia
[p. 226-227]
Glaphyromorphus douglasi Swanson, 2007 - Field Guide to Austr. Reptiles [p. 172]
Glaphyromorphus douglasi Wilson and Swan, 2008 - Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia
2 nd Edition [p. 242-243]
Description: This is a fairly robust skink with a long tapering tail that is round in section. The
base body colour is light or dark reddish-brown over the head, body and tail. Pattern
comprises scattered darker brown or blackish flecking over the dorsal part of the body and
basal part of the tail. There is a broad blackish zone that extends dorsolaterally from behind
the eye to about the forelimbs, and this often continues along the body to form a broad
blackish upper lateral zone. Prominent tiny white dots are scattered throughout the darker
dorsolateral or upper lateral area. A weak brownish streak runs along the canthus and
continues behind the eye as a dense series of brownish flecks more or less parallel with the
darker upper lateral pattern. The lateral area of the neck is paler brown with scattered white
dots, and the labials are edged with brown, the brown barring sometimes extending slightly
under the lower jaw. The lower lateral may be rich reddish brown or orange with scattered
white dots and darker brown flecking. Ventrally creamish-white. Some significant features of
this species' morphology are: body scales smooth and shiny, in 26-32 rows at mid-body; middorsal
and mid-ventral scales subequal; supranasals absent; nasals separated; parietals in
contact behind the interparietal; prefrontal not contacting first preocular; prefrontals usually
46