Application for Scientific Permit – Available for Public Comment
Public comment on the following application for a Scientific Research (Fauna) Permit is open until 15 October 2024.
Applicant: University of Tasmania
Species/Taxon:
Northern snow skink (Carinascincus greeni)
Southern snow skink (Carinascincus microlepidotus)
Tasmanian mountain skink (Carinascincus orocryptus)
Location: Tasmanian mountains across the geographical distributions of the alpine snow skinks (generally above 1000m) including:
- national parks: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair NP, Walls of Jerusalem NP, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers NP, Southwest NP, Mount Field NP, Hartz Mt NP, Ben Lomond NP
- state reserve: Mount Barrow
- conservation areas: Central Plateau, Great Western Tiers
- conservation covenants: Tasmanian Land Conservancy properties (Skullbone Plains, Five Rivers)
- Wellington Park
Title of research: Sampling alpine snow skinks across Tasmanian mountains
Aim of project:
The overarching purpose of this project is to determine the impact of climate change on the alpine snow skinks to inform conservation management of these unique species. The project involves conducting population genetic study across all three species' geographical distributions to determine the level of genetic diversity and gene flow between populations.
Justification:
The alpine snow skinks are endemic to Tasmania and restricted to alpine areas above 1000 masl. All three alpine snow skink species are federally listed as Threatened due to predicted declines under climate change. Genetic information, including estimates of gene flow and inbreeding, can assist in determining the long-term viability of these species and their populations, and identifying the best methods for managing them, including ex-situ conservation programs (e.g. translocation, captive breeding). Assessing the level of hybridisation between two of the species will assist in clarifying the taxonomy. Additional genetic information can also be gained from the samples to answer a wide variety of conservation-relevant questions including research into adaptation, effective population size and phylogeography. This genetic study will also provide updated distributional data for these species.
Maximum likely numbers of individuals involved:
C. greeni – 400, C. microlepidotus – 400, C. orocryptus - 400
Junior Biosecurity Heroes | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (nre.tas.gov.au):
During snow skink active season (October-April) we will sample up to 20 populations per species across their distributions. Up to 20 individuals from each population will be captured via “fishing”, noosing or hand capture. Following capture, the following data will be recorded for each individual: location, species, sex, weight, head length and width, snout-vent length, total length, photograph and a DNA sample (taken from the distal end of the tail tip (10 mm) using sharp scissors). Like most skinks, these species autotomise and regenerate their tails as a normal process. Therefore, taking the distal end of the tail is the least invasive way of obtaining DNA samples from these species. There is usually no blood loss and all animals behave normally immediately upon release. Once the data has been collected, lizards will be released immediately at their point of capture.
Fate of animals: Released
Likely impact on species involved (including any by-catch):
There is expected to be minimal impact on the target species, the three alpine snow skinks. A maximum of 20 individuals from each population will be caught once, handled for a maximum of 10 minutes to take relevant data including a DNA sample. All individuals will be released at their point of capture. We do not expect any long-term impacts of our sampling on individual skinks or their populations.