(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
OTHER COMMON NAMES - SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-; SKINK, MOLE, TAIL, BLUE+; SKINK, TAILED, RED-;SKINK, TAILED, RED- and BROWN
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Reptiles
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - REPTILIA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - SQUAMATA,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - SCINCIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - EUMECES,
SPECIES AND SSP - EGREGRIUS, LIVIDUS
SCIENTIFIC NAME - EUMECES EGREGRIUS LIVIDUS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Blue-tailed Mole Skink
Eumeces egregrius lividus, Mount, 1965
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Reptile
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Reptilia
ORDER: Squamata FAMILY: Scincidae
The blue-tailed mole skink is a small (9-15 cm; 3-6 in.), slender
lizard with a cylindrical body and small legs. The tail makes up more
than half the total length. The scales are smooth and shiny. The
body is brownish with two indistinct lateral yellowish stripes; the
tail is light blue, but may become pinkish in adults or if regenerated
(01,02,03).
The blue-tailed mole skink was described in 1965 (03); there have
been no alternative classifications proposed for this subspecies since
that time. The holotype is deposited in the Florida State Museum.
Most museum specimens of the mole skink, including the blue-tailed
mole skink, were collected by Mount (04) and are also deposited in the
Florida State Museum. Black-and-white photographs (02,03) and a color
plate (01) of the blue-tailed mole skink have been published.
Other common-names used for the species include: bluetail mole
skink (01), red-tailed skink, and brown red-tailed skink (03).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Florida; Federal Threatened
Florida; Officially Listed
T: Federal Threatened
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The blue-tailed mole skink has been designated as Threatened
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11;P.L.
93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended. Critical
habitat has not been designated.
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Florida
DESIGNATED STATUS: Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission
STATE STATUTE: Article IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution 372.072
39-27.03 to .05, Title 39, Florida Administrative Code
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None
82/12/30:47 FR 58454/ - Notice of review
85/09/18:50 FR 37958/ - Notice of review
87/01/21:52 FR 02242/ - Proposed rule - list as Threatened
87/11/06:52 FR 42658/ - Final rule - listed as Threatened
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES
SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE
Longleaf Pine shrub--seedling
Longleaf Pine young tree
Longleaf Pine mature tree
Longleaf Pine Old Growth
Shortleaf Pine-Oak young tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak young tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak mature tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak Old Growth
LAND USE -
Deciduous Forest Land
Evergreen Forest Land
Mixed Forest Land
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The blue-tailed mole skink is associated with sand pine (Pinus
clausa) - rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) scrub, and, less frequently,
with longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) - turkey oak (Quercus laevis)
communities (02). The primary habitat requirement is loose sand to
burrow in; therefore this species is more common in early successional
forest stages and may not persist in mature sand pine scrub (05).
Disturbances may therefore be necessary to maintain suitable habitat.
Naturally occurring events which maintain early successional stages
include fire, blow-downs, and pine beetle outbreaks (05).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Arthropods
General Crustaceans
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Terrestrial Features: Burrows
G Terrestrial Features: Hills
G Terrestrial Features: Downed logs
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
The food habits of the blue-tailed mole skink have not been
studied, but other subspecies of mole skink feed on small insects,
crustaceans, and arachnids; especially roaches, spiders, and crickets
(06, 07, 04).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Information is lacking for the blue-tailed mole skink. The
closely related peninsula mole skink (Eumeces egregius onocrepis) shows
male combat, while females brood and defend the egg clutch; but
territoriality is not evident (07). Eumeces egregius appears to be
somewhat gregarious, with individuals concentrated locally in seemingly
uniform habitat (02).
PERIODICITY:
No specific information is available for the blue-tailed mole
skink; skinks are generally diurnal. Eumeces egregius onocrepis is
active year-round in Florida, with mating in fall and winter, and egg-
laying in spring (07).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
This species is non-migratory.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The primary habitat requirement is loose, sandy soil, where the
blue-tailed mole skink often occurs under objects such as palmetto
(Sabal sp.) fronds or fallen logs (02). Loose sand pushed up by gopher
tortoises, pocket gophers (Geomys pinetis), or scarab beetles is often
used for basking in longleaf pine - turkey oak habitats (07).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Undescribed for blue-tailed mole skink, but probably similar to
Eumeces egregius onocrepis; eggs are deposited in soil cavities from a
few inches to 6 feet deep (07).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Undescribed for blue-tailed mole skink, but probably similar to
Eumeces agregius onocrepis, which breeds once a year, and attains
sexual maturity during the first year (in the lab). Females usually
mate only once each year, then excavate a cavity a few cm in diameter
where 2-9 eggs are laid. The cavity is not connected to the surface.
The incubation lasts 31-51 days (07).
PARENTAL CARE:
Undescribed for the blue-tailed mole skink, but probably similar
to Eumeces egregius onocrepis, in which females brood eggs, cleaning
and turning them. The eggs are also protected from predators (07).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Undescribed for the blue-tailed mole skink. Presumably, this
species would be limited largely by the size and quality of available
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
habitat; without fire or other disturbance, suitable open, sandy
habitat may become overgrown and unusable for this species (05). It
has been suggested that 100 acres of suitable habitat is a threshold to
to support a population of Eumeces egregiu(7).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Unknown for blue-tailed mole skink; other subspecies of Eumeces
egregius are parasitized by trombiulid mites, nematodes, and cestodes
(07). Eumeces egregius onocrepis is preyed upon by whipsnakes
(Masticophis flagellum), racers (Coluber constrictor), scarlet king
snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum doliata), and pygmy rattlesnakes
(Sistrurus miliarius) (07).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
The preferred temperature range of the blue-tailed mole skink is
unknown, but Eumeces egregius onocrepis seems to prefer a temperature
of about 31 degrees C (07).
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Suppressing wildfire
Beneficial Prescribed/controlled burning of habitat
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Maintaining Early Stages of Succession
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Suppressing wildfire
Existing Suppressing wildfire
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The main threat to the blue-tailed mole skink is the conversion
of sand scrub and sandhill habitats in central Florida for
agricultural, residential, and commercial purposes (01,02). This
habitat conversion has accelerated in recent decades as the citrus
industry has moved southward in Florida to avoid freezes, and as
Florida's population growth has increased.
Future threats include fire suppression and invasion of weedy
plants, as this species' habitat becomes increasingly fragmented.
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
No date has been set for the development of the draft recovery
plan for the blue-tailed mole skink.
The main recovery need for the blue-tailed mole skink is to
protect and manage sufficient areas of habitat to ensure the continued
survival of this subspecies. This would entail not only preserving
sufficient habitat from development, but ensuring that appropriate
successional stages are maintained.
Current activities benefitting the recovery of this species are
land acqisition by public (Florida Division of Parks and Recreation)
and private (The Nature Conservancy) agencies.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species SKINK, MOLE, TAILED, BLUE-
Species Id ESIS154015
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Ashton, R. E. and P. S. Ashton. 1985. Handbook of Reptiles and
Amphibians of Florida. Part 2. Lizards, turtles, and
crocodilians. Windward Pub. Co., Miami, Florida. 191 pp.
02 Christman, S. P. 1978. Blue-tailed mole skink. Pp. 38-41 in R. W.
McDiarmid, ed., Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. Vol. 3.
Amphibians and reptiles. Univ. Presses of Florida, Gainesville.
03 Mount, R. H. 1965. Variation and systematics of the scincoid
lizard, Eumeces egregius Baird. Bull. Florida State Mus.
9(5):183-213
04 Smith, C. R. 1982. Food resource partitioning of fossorial
Florida reptiles. Pp. 173-178 in N. J. Scott, Jr., ed.,
Herpetological communities. U.S. Dept. Interior Wildlife Res.
Rept. 13
05 Campbell, H. W. and S. P. Christman. 1982. The herpetological
components of Florida sandhill and sand pine scrub associations.
Pp. 163-171 in N. J. Scott, Jr., ed., Herpetological
Communities. U.S. Dept. Interior Wildlife Res. Rep. 13.
06 Hamilton, W. J., Jr. and J. A. Pollack. 1958. Notes on the life
history of the red-tailed skink. Herpetologica 14:25-28.
07 Mount, R. H. 1963. The natural history of the red-tailed skink;
Eumeces egregius Baird. Amer. Midland Naturalist 70(2):363-385.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Christman, S. P. 1978. Blue-tailed mole skink, Pp. 38-40 in R. W.
McDiarmid, ed., Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Vol. 3,
Amphibians and Reptiles. University Presses of Florida,
Gainesville.
02 Florida Natural Areas Inventory. Data base occurrences for blue
tailed mole skink. 254 East 6th Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida
32303.
03 Christman, S. P. 1971. The possible evolutionary history of two
Florida skinks. Quant. J. Florida Acad. Sci. 33(4):291-293.
04 Mount, R. H. 1965. Variation and systematics of the scincoid
lizard, Eumeces egregius (Baird). Bull., Florida State Mus.
9(5):183-213.
References - 1