JOURNAL OF

THE ROYAL SOCIETY

OF

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

VOLUME 54
PART 3

DECEMBER, 1971

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PATRON

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COUNCIL 1970-1971

President

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Joint Hon. Secretaries

Hon. Treasurer
Hon. Librarian
Hon. Editor

G. M. Storr, B.Sc., Ph.D.

R. M. Berndt, M.A., Dip. Anth., Ph.D.,
F.R.A.I., F.F.A.A.A.

A. F. Trendall, B.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.C.S., F.G.S.

B. J. Grieve, M.Sc., Ph.D., D.I.C., F.L.S.

P. G. Quilty, B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D.

P. G. Wilson, M.Sc.

D. C. Lowry, M.Sc.

Ariadna Neumann, B.A.

A. J. McComb, M.Sc., Ph.D.

G. A. Bottomley, B.Sc., Ph.D.

S. D. Bradshaw, B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D.
S. J. Curry, B.Sc.

D. Merrilees, B.Sc., Ph.D.

L. J. Peet, B.Sc., F.G.S.

P. E. Playford, B.Sc., Ph.D.

B. P. Springett, B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D.

9. — The genus Lerista (Lacertilia, Scincidae) in Western Australia.

by G. M. Storr*

McinuscTipt rccp-ived 19 May. 1970^ accepted 22 June^ 1971

Abstract

The following 24 species and subspecies of
Lerista {sensu Greer) are defined: m. microtis
(Gray), m. arenicola nov., jrosti (Zietz). ats-
tinguenda (Werner), elegans , terdigUata

(Parker), muelleri (Fischer), lineata Bell, plani-
ventralis (Lucas & Frost), borealis nov., walken
(Boulenger), neander nov., macropistbopus
(Werner) desertorum (Sternfeld), p. picturata
(Fry), p. baynesi nov.. gerrardii (Gray).
lineopunctulata (Gray), nichollsi (Loverldge).
connwens nov., bipes (Fischer), labialis nov..
humphriesi nov. and praepedita (Boulenger).

Introduction

Regardless of all other characters, the num-
erous skinks with the lower eyelid transparent
and immovable were placed by Boulenger (1887)
in a single genus, AUepharus. Until recently
this arrangement was generally accepted, de-
spite Malcolm Smith’s warning (1937) that such
a genus was almost certainly unnatural.

Greer (1967) has shown that certain species
of ^‘Ahlepharus'* agree with the skinks currently
placed in Rhodona in all characters except the
nature of the eyelid. He therefore combined
the two groups under the oldest generic name,
Lerista, restored from the synonymy of AUe-
pharus.

To appreciate how right Greer was to regard
these differences in eyelid as trivial, and how'
wrong Boulenger was to regard them as funda-
mental, one has only to compare AUepharus"’
muelleri with ‘‘Rhodona” terdigitata or, better
still, “AUepharus” distinguendus with “Rho-
dona” frosti.

To do Boulenger justice, it must be acknow-
ledged that his concept of Rhodona (combining
the numerous little genera of earlier workers)
was correct as far as it went, Mittleman’s
attempt (1952) to subdivide it was unsuccessful;
taken literally, it would classify some individuals
of praepedita as Rhodona and others as
Rodorha.

The present paper is concerned with the 22
species of Lerista occurring in Western Aus-
tralia. It is based on all the specimens in the
Western Australian Museum (R prefix omitted
from registered numbers), as well as those col-
lected by the British Joint Services Expedition
to Central Australia (specimen numbers prefixed
with JSE), which wei*e kindly lent to me by
Lt Cdr A. Y. Norris before he deposited them
in the British Museum.

* Western Australian Museum. Perth. W'estern Australia

6000

In the following descriptions the range in
various quantitative characters is followed by
the mean in brackets (except for L. muelleri,
where geographic variation is such as to make
overall means pointless). Among the measure-
ments taken is the distance from snout to fore-
leg; expressed as percentage snout- vent length,
it provides an inverse measure of the degree
to w'hich the body is elongate. Owing to fusion
with adjacent supraoculars, some supraciliaries
may be missing, in which case the antei-ior and
posterior counts are given separately, e.g. 1+3;
when the anteriormost supraciliaries are absent,
the counts are given in the form 0 + 3 etc.

Because of Greer’s masterly exposition, it is
unnecessary here to define Lerista fully or to
repeat his observations on its anatomy and
phylogenetic relationships. Readers are also
referred to Greer’s paper for the full generic
synonymy of Lerista.

Genus Lerista Bell

Lerista Bell. 1833, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), p. 99.

Type-species (by monotypy): Lerista lineata Bell.

Diagnosis.- — Small to moderately large, elon-
gate, smooth-scaled, cryptozoic skinks with
fragile tail and feeble, widely separated limbs
(pentadactyl in two species, but digits fewer in
all others; fore-limb may be reduced to a style,
tubercle or groove, or be completely absent;
hind-limb may be reduced to a style); supra-
nasals and postnasals absent: prefrontals small
and widely separated, or absent; frontal wider
than supraocular region; lower eyelid partly or
wholly transparent, movable or fixed: ear-

aperture minute; preanals enlarged; colour
pattern longitudinal (dark stripes, lines or rows
of spots) or absent. Distinguishable from
Hemiergis by broad contact between frontal
and frontonasal, presence of ear-aperture, and
absence of yellow or reddish ventral pigments;
and from “Leiolopisma” by larger nasals, nar-
rower supraocular region, smaller ear- aperture
and weaker limbs. Lerista with ablepharine
eyes distinguishable from all other “AUepharus”
by having fewer than 5 toes.

Distribution. — Australia and Tasmania.

General description of western species . —
Snout-vent length (mm) 21-103. Length of
appendages &c. (% SVL) ; fore-leg 0-21, hind-
leg 1.5-35, tail 48-142, snout to fore-leg 19-38.

Nasals forming median suture or narrowly
separated (widely in planiventralis f . Fronto-
parietals moderately large and forming median
suture, or small and separated, or fused to each

90453— (U

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

59

other ( in which case they may be fused to
intei'parietal) . Enlarged nuchals 0-5 on each
side. Loreals 2 ‘one in praepedita ^ . Upper
labials 5-7. third-last eubocular. Temporals
normally 1 H- 2 ‘ 1 + i in planiventralis and
humphriesi) , upper secondary usually largest,
low'er secondary smallest. Midbody scale-rows
14-24. Lamellae under longest toe 4-21.

In most taxa there is a dark upper lateral
stripe from nasal through orbit to tail. Also
common are two dorsal series of dark dots or
dashes, which may be modified into paraverte-
bral lines or a vertebral stripe. A few’ taxa are
almost patternless, except for contrasting dark-
er dorsal and paler ventral sufaces.

Material. — L. m. yiiicroUs <8 specimens), m.
arenicola (3), bougainvillii (2), frosti (51). dis-
tinguenda ' 39 ) . orientalis ( 1 ) , elegans (34 ) ,
terdigitata ( 6 ) . viuelleri ‘ 84 ) . lineata (10) ,
planiventralis (11), borealis (3), neander (4),
macropisthopus (27), desertorum (27), p. pic-
turata (10), p. baynesi (15). gerrardii (18),
lineopunctulata (62), nichollsi (12), connivens
(13). bipes (166), lahialis (46), humphriesi (1),
praepedita (75).

Key to Species

1.

Fingers 3-5, equal in number to
toes

2

Fingers 0-2. usually less numerous
than toes

7

2.

Fingers 5; supraciliaries 6; labials 7
Fingers and supraciliaries fewer:

jnicrotis

labials 6

3

3.

Fingers 4 ...

4

Fingers 3

6

4,

Eyelid movable; supraciliaries 5

frosti

Eyelid fixed: supraciliaries 3 or 4 ...

5

5.

Scale-rows 18 or 20; nasals usually
separated

distinguenda

Scale-rows 16; nasals forming

median suture . .

elegans

6.

Eyelid movable: supraoculars 4

terdigitata

Eyelid fixed; supraoculars 3

mueileri

7.

Digits 2^3

8

Digits fewer

12

8.

Eyelid fixed; scale-rows 16

lineata

Eyelid movable: scale-rows 20-24 ....

9

9.

Strong ventrolateral keel; temporals
1 + 1

planiventralis

No ventrolateral keel; temporals

1+2

10

10.

Dark upper lateral stripe and
paravertebral lines

desertoru7ii

No stripes or lines

11

11.

Frontoparietals separated; supraci-
liaries normally fewer than 5
Frontoparietals contiguous; supraci-

macropisth opus

liaries 5

borealis

'2.

Interparietal free

Interparietal fused to frontoparie-

13

tals - .

19

13.

Frontoparietals paired

14

Frontoparietals fused

walkeri

14.

Nasals contiguous ....

15

Nasals separated

17

15.

Toes 3; supraciliaries 5

borealis

Toes and supraciliaries fewer

16

16.

Fore-limb, prefrontals and supraci-
liaries present

Fore-limb, prefrontals and supraci-

picturata

liaries absent

praepedita

17.

Dark vertebral and upper lateral
stripes . ....

gerrardii

No stripes

Dorsal and upper lateral surfaces

tB

spotted ...

neander

18.

Dorsal and upper lateral surfaces
unicolorous

macropisthop7Ls

19. Some indication of fore-limb (e.g.
groove); pref rentals normally

present

iNo indication of fore-limb; no pre-
frontals

20. Dark vertebral and upper lateral

stripes

No stripes .

21. Eyelid fixed

Eyelid movable . .

22. Toes 2: scale-rows 19-20 ...
Hind-limb stylar; scale-rows 16

23. Two supraoculars contacting fron-
tal; supraciliartes 1 or 2

One supraocular contacting fron-
tal; no supraciliaries

24. Labials 6; loreals 2; temporals 1
1: one supraciliary

Labials 5; loreal 1: temporals 1 H-
2; no supraciliaries

20

22

21

lineopunctulata

nicfiollsi

connivens

23

24

bipes

labialis

humphriesi

praepedita

Lerista microtis microtis

Mocoa microtis Gray. 1845, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus., p. 83.

Swan River [Colony] (J. Gilbert).

Diagnosis. A small slender species with digits
5 + 5 and movable eyelid, distinguishable from
L. bougainvillii (Gray) by 4 supraoculars (not
3), 6 supraciliaries (not 5) and longer limbs
(e.g. hind-leg about as long as distance from
snout to fore-leg).

Disti'ibution. Far south of Western Australia
from the Scott River east to Israelite Bay.

Description. Snout- vent length (mm) 22-

48.5 (39.0). Length of appendages &c (%

SVL): fore-leg 14.4-22.7 (16.7); hind-leg 24.7-
35.0 (29.3); tail 105-134 (116.7); snout to foi'e-
leg 27.0-36.4 (30.2).

Nasals narrowly separated (in very short
contact in one specimen). Prefi*ontals widely
separated. Frontal slightly shorter than fron-
toparietals and interparietal combined, slightly
w’ider than supraocular region. Frontoparietals
in long contact, about as large as interparietal.
Nuchals 3 or 4 (3.5>. Supraoculars 4, first two
in contact with frontal. Supraciliaries 6. Upper
labials 7. Upper secondary temporal largest,
lower secondary smallest. Midbody scale-rows
18 or 20. Lamellae under longest toe 18-21
(19.2).

Dorsally olive grey, without pattern. Blackish-
brown stripe from orbit to middle of tail, nar-
rowiy and indistinctly margined above with
pale grey (margin clearer and wider on tail,
and on back it may be indistinctly edged above
with black). White midlateral stiipe from upper
lips to base of tail passing over ear aperture
and partly interrupted by thigh. Dark grey
or blackish ventrolateral stripe from about level
of ear to level of vent, interrupted partly by
arm and completely by thigh. Venter w^hitish;
under tail reddish; gulars and ventrals may be
edged with grey.

Remarks. As this species does not occur near
Perth, the holotype w^as probably collected at
Albany.

Material. South-West Division (W.A.l : Scott
River (36047-8); Denmark (31063, 31195);

Cheyne Beach (10755, 36017); Bremer Bay
(33410). Eucla Division (W^A.); Israelite Bay
(31103).

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3. December. 1971

60

Lerista microtis arenicola subsp. nov.

Holotype. R 24608, an adult collected by G.
M. Storr and A. M. Douglas on 7 October 1964
at Eucla, Western Australia, in 31 43'S, 128

53'E.

Diagnosis. Distinguishable from L. m. microtis
by longer limbs, larger nasals, more numerous
midbody scale-rows and narrower upper lateral
stripe.

Distribution. Coastal dunes round head of
Great Australian Bight from Eucla (W.A.l east
to Fowlei's Bay (S.A.'.

Description. — Snout-vent length (mm> 47-56
<50.0). Length of appendages &c. (% SVL»:
fore-leg 16.5-21.0 <19.5); hind-leg 27.8-32.3

(30.8); snout to fore-leg 29.2-33.0 (31.4).

Nasals in short to moderately long contact.
Prefrontals widely separated. Frontal about as
long as frontoparietals and parietal combined
and about as wide as supraocular region. Fron-
topariels in long contact, a little larger than
interpaidetal. Nuchals 2 or 3 <2.7). Supra-
oculars 4, first two in contact with frontal.
Supraciliaries 6. Upper labials 7. Upper sec-
ondary temporal largest, lower secondary small-
est. Midbody scale-rows 22. Lamellae under
longest toe 17-21 <19.0i.

Differing in coloration from L. 7ti. microtis in
dark upper lateral stripe not so wide as white
midlateral stripe, not edged above with whitish,
ext nding forward to snout and becoming
broken on tail; ventrolateral stripe fainter and
narrow^er.

Reinarks. Though geographically intermedi-
ate between 7fiicrotis and bougainvillii, L. m.
arenicola is morphologically intermediate only
in body size and the number of midbody scale-
rows. For this reason the southeast Australian
form is tentatively regarded as a distinct species.

Paratypes. South Australia: Fowlers Bay

(24586-7).

Lerista frosti

Rhodona tetradactyla Lucas & Frost. 1895, Proc. Roy.
Soc. Viet, (n.s.) 7 : 268. Tempe Downs. Northern
Territory (Horn Expedition).

Lygosoma frosti Zietz, 1920, Rec. S. Aust. Mus. 1 :
217. New name for above, not Lygosoma tetradav^
tylum (O’Shaugnessy) of Boulenger (1887:288).

Diagnosis. Small slender species with digits
4 f 4 and movable eyelid. Further distinguish-
able from L. distinguenda by greater size and
more numerous supraciliaries, and from L.
orientalis (De Vis* by longer limbs.

Distribution. Islands, shores and hinterland
of Great Australian Bight from the Archipelago
of the Recherche (W.A.), east to Eyre Peninsula
(S.A.) and inland to the Nullarbor Plain; with
outlying populations in the North-West Division
(Hamersley and Barlee Ranges) and the south
of the Northern Territory (upper valley of the
Finke * .

Descriptioii. — Snout-vent length unm) 23-56
(45.7). Length of appendages &c. (% SVL) :
fore-leg 8.6-15.2 (10.8): hind-leg 19.6-30.4

(23.0); tail 94-131 (110.3); snout to fore-lsg
24.1-37.0 (28.5).

Nasals narrowly separated (rarely touching
Dv moderately widely separated). Prefrontals
widely separated. Frontoparietals in moderately
long contact, usually smaller than interparietal.
Nuchals 2-4 (2.8). Supraoculars 3, first two in
contact with frontal. Supraciliaries 5. Upper
labials 6. Upper secondary temporal much the
largest, lower secondary smallest. Midbody
scale-i’ows 18 or 20. Lamellae under longest
toe 13-20 (16.8).

Dorsally pale olive-grey or olive-brown, with
or without 2 or 4 black dorsal lines from occiput
to base of tail, central pair (paravertebral) often
continuing nearly to end of tail. Blackish-
brown stripe from nasal through orbit to base
or middle or end of tail; on body it may be
narrowly margined above and below by a whitish
line. Sides of body greyish-white with or with-
out 2 (sometimes 3) dark grey lines or series
of dots. Lips narrowly barred with dark grey.
Throat whitish; ventrals tipped with grey; sub-
caudals pinkish buff : palms, soles and under
digits dark grey except for distal cluster of
whitish plantar granules.

Geographic variation. From the above de-
scription are excluded the three specimens from
the North-West Division. They tend to be
more brownish or coppery dorsally and more
strongly spotted with blackish brown on the
tail and sides of body: in two of them, more-
over, the tail is orange-red. Their nasals are
in contact; and as in other isolated populations
(Central Australia and Mondrain Island) there
are 20 midbody scale-rows, whereas nearly all
specimens from the southern mainland have 18.

Material. North-West Division; Millstream
(36152); 9 mi. S of Wittenoom (37078); Kook-
habinna Gorge (25268). Eucla Division (W.A.):
Mondrain Island (10121); Israelite Bay (14174);
Junana Rock (36245); Coragina Rock (18514.
36183) : Balladonia <17405-7, 29892); Cocklebiddy
(34488) : Scemore Downs (18527-8); Loongana
(29179); Madura (29464); 28 mi. W of Eucla
(33434); Eucla (289-90, 24625-39. 31881-3; ERP
13707-8). South Australia: Smoky Bay (24563-
5); Arno Bay (27315-6); Port Neill (27324);
Turnby Bay (27353-4). Northern Territory:
Palm Valley <20862-3*.

Lerista distinguenda

Ablepharus distinguendus Werner. 1910, “Fauna
Sudwest-Australlens" 2 : 490. Fremantle. Western
Australia (W. Michaeisen & R. Hartmeyer)*

Diagnosis. Small slender species with digits
4 4-4 and fixed eyelid, distinguishable from
L. elegans by separated nasals and more num-
erous midbody scale-rows.

Distribuiioii. Southwest and south of Western
Australia north to Geraldton, east to Great
Australian Bight (Twilight Cove) and inland to
Eradu. New Norcia, Northam and Cranbrook;
also on Rat Island (Houtrnan Abrolhos).

Description. Snout- vent length (mm* 24-46
(38.5). Length of appendages &c. <% SVL):
fore-leg 10.6-16.7 (13.6); hind-leg 19.6-30.2

>25.9); tail 98-129 (115.0); snout to fore-leg
24.8-36.0 (30.3).

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. ,54 Part 3. December. 1971

61

90453 — ( 2 )

Nasals narrowly separated ♦ occasionally just
touching, rarely forming a short suture). Pre-
frontals moderately to widely separated. Pron-
toparietals in medium to long (rarely short)
contact, as large as interparietal or a little
smaller. Nuchals 1-4 (2.7). Supraoculars 3,
first two in contact with frontal. Supraciliaries
usually 3, occasionally 4. Upper labials 6
‘rarely 7>. Upper secondary temporal much
the largest, lower secondary much the smallest.
Midbody scale-row's 18 (rarely 19 or 20). Lam-
ellae under longest toe 13-20 '16.8).

Dorsally pale olive-grey (occasionally olive-
brown) w'ith or without 2 or 4 longitudinal
series of dark dots. Head usually concolorous
with back, finely blotched with black. Black
upper lateral stripe from snout through orbit
to tail. White midlateral stripe from lips to
base of tail, more or less sharply defined from
grey clouding <or dotting) of ventrolateral sur-
faces. Under tail pinkish butf sparsely dotted
with dark brown.

Remarks. Most populations of distinguenda
are readily separated from neighbouring popu-
lations of elegans, not only by their key char-
acters ‘ 18 or more scale-rows and separated
nasals) but also by their shorter and broader
interparietal (and. to a lesser extent, frontal),
fewer nuchals, paler coloration 'especially of
head) and stronger pattern. Some populations
are nevertheless hard to place owing to poor
correlation between key and subsidiary char-
acters (W'here these conflict, I have arbitrarily
relied on the former).

Generally distinguenda occurs to the east of
elegans. but it has reached the coast at Ger-
aldton. Guilderton, Fremantle and even Rat
Island. Though surrounded by populations of
elegans at each of these localities, distinguenda
remains distinctive here. It is south of the
range of elegans, that distinguenda is most apt
to share subsidiary characters with elegaris.

Material. South-West Division (W\A.): Rat
Island ‘30447-9); near Geraldton (1731-2);
Eradu (11127); Coomberdale (7206); 7 mi. N
of New Norcia ‘25675); Guilderton '26490);
Mt. Lawiey (8851); Culham (22455-7); Northam
(6900); Kalamunda and 6 mi. E (14870. 16900.
20595 ) ; Bickley Camp ‘ 29896 ) ; Roleystone
‘18525); Boddington (13558, 31042-9); Narrogin
(25969); Yaiioop (18515); Collie ‘18516); Koj-
onup ' 3006 ) : Katanning ( 23353 > ; Cranbrook
) 11018); Margaret River ‘7962; ; Albany
(10947). Eucia Division (W’.A.): Esperance

(11785, 17865); 15 mi. SE of Cocklebiddy

(34477).

Lerista elegans

Miculia elegans Gray, 1845. “Cal. Liz. Brit. Mus.“. p,
46. Western Australia (J. Gilbert).

Diagnosis. Small slender species with digits
4 — 4 and fixed eyelid, distinguishable from L.
distinguenda by 16 midbody scale-row's and
nasals forming median suture.

Disti'ibution. West coast and islands of
Western Australia from Barrow Island south to
Rottnest Island; and on the mainland from a

little north of the Murchison south to Perth,
inland to Lockw'ood Springs and the Darling
Range.

Description. Snout-vent length (mm) 21-43
‘34.8). Length of appendages &c. (% SVL> :
fore-leg 11.2-19.0 (15.3); hind-leg 23.7-34.6

(28.6); tail 100-136 ‘118.7); snout to fore-leg
28.9-37.6 (31.9).

Nasals in medium to long contact. Prefron-
tals widely to moderately separated. Pronto-
parietals in medium to long contact, smaller
than interparietal. Nuchals 2-5 (3.4). Supra-
oculars 3. first twfo in contact with frontal.
Supraciliaries usually 3. occasionally 4. Upper
labials 6 (rarely 7). Upper secondary temporal
much the largest, lower secondary usually much
the smallest. Midbody scale-row's 16 (rarely
18). Lamellae under longest toe 13-20 (16.4)

Dorsally olive-browm; paravertebrals with
darker centres: head unpatterned, uniformly
darker than back. Dark brow'n stripe from
snout nearly to end of tail, narrowdy margined
below with w'hite. Ventrolateral (and some-
times ventral) surfaces clouded with grey.
Under tail dotted with gi-eyish browm. Under
digits blackish.

Remarks. It is not yet certain whether
elegans and distinguenda should be treated as
separate species. Some series, though closer
to elegans in coloration, w'ere identified with
distmguenda because of their scale count and
separated nasals. Conversely the Rottnest
Island specimen was identified with elegans de-
spite its coloration.

Material. North-West Division (W^A.): Bar-
row Island (28675-6 ) ; Bernier Island ( 13184.
20526-7). South-West Division (W’.A.): Gie

Gie, 21 mi. NNW of Murchison House (34047);
Lockw'ood Springs, 20 mi. ESE of Kalbani
(33475); Stockyard Gully, SW of Eneabba
‘27985); Fisherman Island (18526); Mt Yokine
(21576); Wi.mbley (14664. 14874. 17659. 18517-
24, 19156 ) ; Claremont ( 10763 ) ; Cottesloc

‘4385); Mt Pleasant <25072); Canning Dam
‘ 26491 1 ; Rottnest Island ( 3729 ) .

Lerista terdigitata

Lygosojim fRhodona) iercligitatum Parker. 1926. Ann
Mag. Nat. Hist. (9) 18 : 203. Flinders Island. Inves-
tigator Group. South Australia (P. W'ood Jones).

Diagnosis. Small slender species with digits
3 + 3, distinguishable from L. muelleri by 4
supraoculars (rather than 3) and movable eye-
lid.

Distribution. Shores, islands and hinterland
of Great Australian Bight from Balladonia
(W.A.) east to Smoky Bay (S.A.).

Description. Snout-vent length (mm) 46-61
(53.4). Length of appendages &c. (% SVL) :
fore-leg 10.6-11.6 ■ 11.2) ; hind-Ug 20.6-24.8

(22.9); tail 96-100 <97.8); snout to fore-leg
28.4-30.6 (29.4),

Nasals narrowiy separated or in short to
medium contact. Prefrontals widely separated.
Prontoparietals usually in contact, occasionally
very narrowiy separated, usually smaller than
interparietal. Nuchals 1-3 (2.6>. Supraoculars
4, first tw’o in contact with fi’ontal. Supracili-
aiies 5. Upper labials 6. Upper secondary

Journal of the Royal Society of W'estern Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3. December, 1971

62

temporal much the largest, lower secondary
smallest. Midbody scale-rows 18-22. Lamellae
under longest toe 13-15 (14.0).

Dorsally olive-grey (South Australia) or
olive-brown (Western Australia) with 4 longi-
tudinal series of black dots on back. Blackish
stripe from nasal through orbit to base of tail.
Upper surface of limbs mainly blackish brown.
Ventrolateral and ventral surfaces whitish with
longitudinal series of blackish-brown dots
(about 12 in South Australia; 8 or 10 in Western
Australia). Under toes and feet dark.

Geographic variation. At present this species
is known only from two widely separated areas.
In addition to the slight differences in colora-
tion mentioned above, western specimens have
fewer midbody scale-i'ows than eastern (18 or
20, against 20 or 22).

Material. Eucla Division (W.A.): Coragina
Rock. 40 mi. S of Balladonia Hotel (17197) ; 4
mi. S of Balladonia Hotel (17467); 12 mi. SW
of Balladonia HS (17442). South Australia:
Fowlers Bay (24588) : Smoky Bay (24566-7).

Lerista muelleri

Pha7ieropus 77iuelleri Fischer. 1881, Arch. Naturgesch.

47 : 236 Nickol Bay. Western Australia (F. von

Mueller).

Ablepfiarvs timidu.’i De Vis, 1888. Proc. Linn. Soc.

NSW. (2) 2 : 824. Charleville. Queensland.

Ablepharus rhodonoid.es Lucas & Frost. 1896. Proc.

Linn. Soc. NSW. 21 : 281. Mildura, Victoria (W.

Fielder).

(?) Lygoso77ia ilihodona) goerlmgi Ahl. 1935, Zool.

Anz. 112 : 204. Wurarga, Western Australia (A.

Goerling).

Diagnosis. Small slender species with digits
3 + 3, fixed eyelid and 3 suproculars.

Distribution. Western Australia north and
east to Anna Plains, Mt. Edgar, Weld Spring.
Suthei-land Range and Warburton Range, and
south and w’est to Hamelin Pool, the lower
Murchison River <The Loop), Morawa, Ballidu,
Bencubbin, Westonia. Norseman and Balladonia;
thence east through northern South Australia
to southwest Queensland and northwest Victoria.

Description. Snout-vent length (mm) 24-49.
Length of appendages &c. (% SVL) : fore-leg
7.1-16.0; hind-leg 17.4-28.8; tail 104-142; snout
to fore-leg 24.2-32.4.

Nasals usually in contact, occasionally nar-
rowly separated. Prcfrontals widely separated.
Fronloparietals fused or paired (in which case
they are in long contact and usually smaller
than interparietal). Nuchals 1-4. Supraoculars
3. the first two in contact with frontal. Supra-
ciliaries 2-5. Upper labials 6. Upper secondai'y
temporal much the largest, lower secondary
smallest. Midbody scale-rows 18-22. Lamellae
under longest toe 12-17.

Dorsally olive grey or brown with or without
four dark grey or blackish lines or series of dots.
LaUral coloration clear-cut or diffuse, i.e.
blackish-brown stripe from snout through orbit
to tail, contrasting with whitish flanks; or sides
finely dotted with blackish brown, darkest and
densest superiorly to form a narrow, indistinct
upper lateral stripe; in both colour-types, upper
lateral stripe may be narrowly edged above by
paling of dorsal ground colour.

Geogi'aphic variation. The few specimens
available to Glauert (1961) came from widely
separated regions, and he understandably allo-
cated them to two species; a northwestei*n

Ablepharus muelleri” t with clear-cut pattern,
paired frontoparietals, long narrow frontal and
relatively long appendages; and a southeastern
("A. rhodonoides” ) with diffuse pattern, fused
frontoparietals. shorter and wider frontal and
shorter appendages. When series from the
intervening regions are examined, it becomes
impossible to delimit two races, let alone species.

All the characters that might separate
”rhodonoides” from *‘inuelleri” undergo con-
tinuous variation, except of course for the
nature of the frontoparietals. Fused fronto-
parietals occur in the Eastern States and in
the interior of Western Australia north to the
upper Fortescue and west to Turee Creek, Meka,
Youanmi, Coolgardie and Norseman. Paired
frontoparietals ai*e found only in the western
populations, north to Anna Plains and east to
Mt. Edgar, Tambrey, Baj'lee Range, lower
Murchison and eastern Wheat-Belt. Though
regionally constant and capable of precise geo-
graphic definition, the nature of the fronto-
parietals is not correlated with any other char-
acter.

Wheat-Bslt specimens are very like those from
the Eastern Goldfields, except for their paired
frontoparietals. On the other hand they differ
considerably in coloration etc. from the popula-
tions along the northwest coast; but the change,
via the lower Murchison and Carnarvon Basin,
is too gradual to permit meaningful demarca-
tion. Indeed, the only place where a boundary
might be drawn between a restricted muelleri
and a “rhodonoides” is along the Ophthalmia
Range, to the north of which lat Weeli Wolli
and Poonda) are skinks very like those from
the Eastern Goldfields, whereas to the south lat
Turee Creek) ‘'viuelleri” characters predominate.
The Turee Creek skinks. however, agree with
those from Poonda and Weeli Wolli in having
fused frontoparietals.

Not all populations fit the prevailing pattern
of clinal change from southeast to northwest.
Specimens from the Roebourne Tableland and
Hamersley Range are especially distinctive.
They are characterised by large size, relatively
long fore-limbs but short hind-limbs, brownish
and weakly patterned coloration, and the ten-
dency for supraciliaries to fuse with supraocu-
lars (so that supraciliary formulae like 1 + 1
or 1 + 2 are frequent).

Material. Islands off North-West Coast
(W.A.): Legendre (14361-2); Rosemary <14531);
Barrow (29041); Thevenard ‘27988>. North-
West Division iW.A.); Anna Plains (27989);
Strelley River (31041); Nickol Bay (17023-4);
Cossack (18535) ; Mt. Herbert (20076-7); Tam-
brey and Asbestos Gorge (20071-5 1 ; Woodstock
(13097); Mt. Edgar (18534); Weeli Wolli
(22639); Poonda (22641-2, 28438-40) : Turee

Creek (25143-6); Ullawarra and 21 mi. NNW
<15820), 25255); Learmonth ( 11526) : Minilya
(10613. 18536); Manberry (9220); Booloogooroo
<27987); 12 mi. E of Hamelin Pool HS. (29678);
Meka (29280). South-West Division (W.A.);

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Auslralla. Vol. 54 Part 3. December, 1971

63

The Loop, lower Murchison <29621-2, 29629,
29633-4 1 ; 11 mi. W of Morawa (29718) : Caron
( 22992 ) : Ballidu 1 29888 ) ; Bencubbin < 19998 ) :
Westonia (28922). Eastern Division (W.A.):
McConkey Hill <27990-1); Weld Spring (27992) :
Windich Spring (15852-3); Mt. Fisher <13713);
Sutherland Range < 28880 ► : Warburton Range
( 18508-10 ) ; Lake Throssell ( 18511) ; White
Cliffs (20663); Mt. Morgans ‘15687); Coolgardie
<18506); Kalgoorlie (18507); Cundeelee <18512,
21673); 11 mi. E of Zanthus <12224); 46 mi. SSE
of Karonie (17339). Eucia Division (W.A.): 18
mi. E of Norseman <18533); Newman Rock
<18531-2); 7 and 4 mi. S of Balladonia Hotel
•17388, 17466); Noondonia <17394-5. 17398-400);
Smithania Rock (25513). South Australia:
Kingoonya <24494-5). Queensland: Cunnamulla
(18542-3).

Lerista lineata

Lerista lineata Bell, 1833. Proc. Zool. .Soc. (LoncU,
p. 99. Australia.

Diagnosis. Small slender species with digits
2—3 and fixed eyelid.

Distribution. Vicinity of Fremantle. Western
Australia (including Rottnest and Garden
Islands ) .

Description. Snout slightly protrusive. Fore-
limb groove deep and very long. Snout-vent
length (mm) 26-55 <47.0). Length of appen-
dages &c. SVL); fore-leg 6.7-8.S (7.5); hind-
leg 19.8-24.8 (21.2); tail 102-103; snout to fore-
leg 24.8-34.2 <27.1).

Nasals narrowly separated (occasioiially just
touching). Prefrontals widely separated. Fron-
toparietais in short to long contact, smaller than
interparietal. Nuchals 3-5 <4.0). Supraoculars
3. first two in contact with frontal. Supracili-
aries 3. Upper labials 6. Upper secondary tem-
poral much the largest, lowest secondary much
the smallest. Midbody scale-rows 16. Lamellae
under longest toe 13-17 (14.7).

Dorsally brownish grey, darker and browner
between paravertebral lines. Pair of black para-
vertebral lines from occiput nearly to end of
tail, on which they break into series of dots.
Black upper lateral stripe from snout, lores
or orbit to end of tail. Narrow greyish-white
midlateral stripe from posterior upper labials
to base of tail, passing well above fore-limb but
.slightly interrupted by hind-limb. Head and
lips blotched with black. Remaining surfaces
washed or dotted with grey, most strongly under
tail and on ventrolateral surface of boiiy.

Material. South-West Division (W.A.):
"Perth” (8172); East Fremantle (26813-4);
Rottnest Island (3255-6. 3757); Garden Island
'9230, 13026. 18538. 28480).

Lerista planiventralis

Rhodona planwentralU Lucas & Frost. 1902. Proc. Roy
Soc- Viet. 15 ; 78. Western Australia.

Diagnosis. Medium-sized species with digits
2 + 3 and movable eyelid, distinguishable from
all other Lerista by ventrolateral keel.

Distribution. Mid-west coast and near-coastal
sandplains of Western Australia from North
West Cape south to Watheroo; Bernier Island.

Description. — Snout depressed, extending well
beyond mouth and terminating in cutting edge.
Entire ventral surface flat, boundary between
ventral and lateral surfaces of body marked by
strong keel. Snout-vent length (mm) 31-66
(54.7). Length of appendages &c. (% SVL):
fore-leg 6.8-9. 4 (7.9); hind-leg 22.4-28.5 <25.6);
tail 81-100 <90.3); snout to fore-leg 26.0-29.0
<27.2).

Nasals widely separated. Prefrontals widely
separated. Fiontoparietals in medium to long
contact, much smaller than interparietal.
Nuchals 0-3 <2.0>. Supraoculars 3, first two in
contact with frontal. Supraciliaries 5. Upper
labials 6 (sometimes apparently 7. owing to
enlargement of postlabial). Temporals 2, sec-
ondary much larger than primary. Midbody
scale-rows 20-24. Lamellae under longest toe
12-16 (13.7).

Dorsally pale olive-grey or brown, becoming
dark grey on head and/or snout. Four brown
or blackish dorsal lines beginning on neck, inner
pair more conspicuous and extending on to tail,
outer pair tending to break up into series of
dots and not extending beyond level of hind-
legs. Dark-brown or blackish stripe from nasal
through orbit to tail (on which it becomes
darker, wider and dorsolateral in position).
Remaining surfaces whitish, except in some
specimens for greyish suffusion on face and chin.

Geographic variation. The three specimens
from south of Shark Bay alone have fewer than
22 scale-rows, and their nasals are not quite
so widely separated as in northern specimens.
The southernmost specimen (Watheroo) is
unique in having the fiontoparietals fused.

Material. North-W'est Division iW.A.): Neds
Creek, North West Cape <27916); Warroora
<8158); Carnarvon <360-1); Bernier Island
<11247-50, 20505). South-W^est Division (W\A.):
Lockwood Spring, 20 mi. ESE of Kalbarri
‘33473-4); Watheroo ‘796).

Lerista borealis sp. nov.

Holotype. R 22363 in Western Australian
Museum, collected by K. T. Richards on 28
July 1963 at Thompson Spring, Western Aus-
tralia, in le*^ 02'S, 128*" 57'E.

Diagnosis. Moderately small and slender
species with digits 2 + 3. movable eyelid, fronto-
parietals forming median suture, and scarcely
any colour pattern.

Distributio?i. Hills of the Kimberley Division,
Western Australia.

Description. Snout- vent length ( mm ) 44-51
(48.0). Length of appendages &c. '% SVL):
fore-leg 7.7-8. 1 <7.9); hind-leg 15.6-18.0 <16.9);
tail 114; snout to fore-leg 26.7-28.4 (27.8).

Nasals narrowly separated or just touching.
Prefrontals widely separated. Frontoparietals in
medium or long contact, smaller than inter-
parietal. Nuchals 2 or 3 <2.8). Supraoculars 3.
first two in contact with frontal. Supraciliaries
5. Upper labials 6. Upper secondary temporal
much the largest: lower secondary a little small-
er than primary. Midbody scale-rows 20 or 22.
Lamellae under longest toe 11-13 <11.5).

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3. December. 1971

64

Dorsal and upper lateral coloration reddish
or grayish brown, obscurely flecked or dotted
with dark brown. Upper lips may be heavily
barred. Under surface pale brown, flecked under
tail with dark brown.

Reviarks. A single specimen (27915) from
Kalumburu. north Kimberley, is tentatively ex-
cluded from torealis. It has a more slender
and elongate body, sharper snout, darker color-
ation. smaller appendages (tail 73% SVL; fore-
leg 2.6% SVL with one finger on one side and
a style on other; hind-lcg 13.3% SVL and with
8 or 9 lamellae under longest of 3 toes». larger
nasals (forming long median suture), smaller
frontDparielals (narrowly separated and very
much smaller than interparietal), primary tem-
poral only a little smaller than upper secondary
but much larger than lower secondary, and 18
midbody scale-rows.

Paratypes. Kimberley Division (W.A.): Point
Springs. Weaber Range (26773); 20 mi. W of
Mt Elizabeth HS (32344).

Lerista walkeri

Lygofioma walkeri Boulenger, 1891. Ann. Mag. Nat.
Hist. (6) 8 : 405. Roebuck Bay and Condillac

Island. Western Australia (J. J. Walker).

Diapnosis. Moderately small species with
digits 2 + 2, movable eyelid, frontoparietals
fused, and dorsal pattern of black dots.

Distribution. Coastal north and west Kim-
berley, Western Australia.

Descriptio7i (after Boulenger). Snout-vent

length (mm) 60. Length of appendages (%
SVL): fore-leg 8. hind-leg 15.

Nasals forming median suture. Prcfrontals
widely separated. Frontoparietals fused into
single shield, much shorter than interparietal.
Nuchals 3. Supraoculars 3, first two in contact
with frontal. Supraciliaries 5. Upper labials
6. Midbody scale-rows 20.

Dorsally greyish, each scale dotted black. Lips
dotted black. Under surface whitish, tail dotted
black.

Material. None examined.

Lerista neander sp. nov.

Holotype. R 23988 in Western Australian
Museum, an adult collected by C. Snell on 8
November 1964 at Mt. Newman. Western Aus-
tralia. in 23 17'S, 119^ 32'E.

Diagnosis. Large species with snout depress-
ed, moderately sharp in profile and extending
well beyond mouth; digits 2 + 2 (occasionally
reduced); movable eyelid; and dorsal and upper
lateral pattern consisting of lines of dark spots.
Distinguishable from L. walkeri by separated
nasals, paired frontoparietals. and anterior
supraciliaries fused to supraoculars.

Distribution. Ophthalmia Range, Western
Australia.

Description. Snout-vent length (mm) 73-88
(80.5). Length of appendages Sic. (% SVL).
fore-leg 3.9-4. 1 (4.0); hind-leg 12.5-14.1 (13.4);
tail 104 (1 specimen); snout to fore-leg 22.4-
23.6 (23.0).

Nasals separated. Prcfrontals widely separ-
at'^d. Frontoparietals moderately to narrowly
separated or just touching, smaller than inter-
parietal. Nuchals 1-3 ( 2.3 ) . Supraoculars 3,
first two in contact with frontal. Supraciliaries
0 + 3. Upper labials 6. Upper secondary tem-
poral largest, lower secondary much the srnall-
est. Midbody scale-rows usually 20. occasion-
ally 18. Lamellae under longest toe 11 or 12.

Dorsally greyish brown. Total of 8 doi'sal and
upper lateral series of squarish blackish-brown
spots, each occupying centi'e of a scale; spots on
enlarged nuchals coalescing into transverse
bars; lowest series of spots on tail becoming
midlateral and finally ventrolateral in position;
mid-dorsal spots on tail transversely elongate.
Head, face and lips blotched with blackish
brown. Under surface whitish except for dark
grey under toes and dark brown dots under tail
(tending to align longitudinally).

Paratypes. North-West Division (W.A.) : Mt.
Newman <23989. 26528-9).

Lerista macropisthopus

Lygosoma (Rhocloria) macropisthopus W'erner. 1903.

'Zool. Anz. 26 : 246. -‘Queensland."

Diagnosis. Large species with digits 2 + 3
(locally reduced), movable eyelid, frontoparietals
paired, and no colour pattern.

Distribution. Southwestern interior of West-
ern Australia, north to the Gascoyne, south to
the central Wheat-Belt ( Narembeen ) , west
nearly to Kalbarri and to Wongan Hills, and
east to Atley and Jeedamya.

Description. Snout-vent length (mm) 61-94
182.7). Length of appendages &c. (% SVL);
fore-leg 2. 7-5.0 (3.7); hind-leg 12.5-17.7 (15,3);
tail 69-103 (91.5); snout to fore-leg 22.6-26.0
(24.4).

Nasals narrowly separated (occasionally in
short contact). Prcfrontals widely separated.
Frontoparietals moderately to very narrowly
separated, much smaller than interparietal; in
one specimen th(.y are fused to parietals.
Nuchals 1-4 (2.7). Supraoculars normally 3,
first two in contact with frontal (first two fused
in Ajana specimen, and last two fused on one
side of 28944). Supraciliaries normally 1 -r 3
(1 + 2 in 25200. 5 on one side of 28944). Upper
labials normally 6 (5 in two specimens owing
to fusion of third and fourth). Upper second-
ary temporal much the largest, lower secondary
much the smallest. Midbody scale-rows 20
(rarely 22). Lamellae under longest toe 9-13
ill.5).

Dorsally purplish grey (fading in alcohol to
purplish brown) without pattern except for
slight darkening in loreo-orbital region. Lips
and ventrolat.ral and ventral surfaces whitish,
boundary between upper and lower coloration
more or less sharp.

Geographic variation. Specimens from the
far west (Kalbarri, Ajana and Yuna) have only
two toes: and at Ajana and Yuna fingers are
reduced to one.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

65

Material. North-West Division (W.A.): Lan-
dor (2708); 47 mi. W of Cue '28944); Meka
'29723). South-West Division (W’.A-): 14 mi.
ESE of Kalbarri (33800) : Ajana (25220); 28 mi.
NE of Yuna (26505); Ballidu (13931 a-b':
Wialki (18187. 24881 >: Mukinbudin (32048) ;

Bencubbin '2759); Wongaii Hills (4237); Ejand-
ing (9833); Nembudding (7393); Kununoppin
(22343); Nukarni (4991»; North Baandee
'26159); Bruce Rock '1113); Narembeen (4167,
12371): 40 mi. E of Narembeen (25827); "Clare-
mont" (10316); "Perth" (1007). Eastern Divi-
sion (W.A.): 16 mi. S of Atley (ERP 13202,
13632); Jetdamya (24043).

Lerista desertonim

Lygosoma (Rhodonat planiventrale desertorum Stern-
feld. Senckenberglana 1 ; 82. Hermannsburg.

Northern Territory (M. von Leonhard! i.

Diagnosis. Large species with digits 2 + 3.
movable eyelid, and frontoparietals paired: dis-
tinguishable from L. inacTovisthopus by dark
dorsal lines and upper lateral stripe, and from
L. p. picturata by separated nasals and 2 'rather
than 4 > dorsal lines.

Distrihution. Southeastern interior of West-
ern Australia, north to Lake Wells and the
Rawlinson Range, west to Albion Downs, Agnew
and Glenorn, and south to the Trans-Australian
Railway; southwest of Northern Territory north
to Hermannsburg and east to Kulgera.

Description. Snout-vent length (mm) 39-93
'77.4). Length of appendages &c. (% SVL) :
fore-leg 2.1-5. 8 (4.0); hind-leg 13.0-18.9 (15.5);
tail 104-119 (109.7); snout to fore-leg 22.1-28.7
'24.5).

Nasals moderately to narrowly separated.
Prefrontals very widely separated. Fronto-
parietals usually moderately to very narrowly
separated, occasionally in short contact, much
i mailer than interparietal. Nuchals 1-4 (2.6).
Supraoculars 3, first two in contact with frontal.
Supraciliaries usually 0 + 3; rarely 3, 0 — 2,
1 + 1, 1 -f- 2 or 1 +3. Upper labials 6. Upper
secondary temporal much the largest, lower
secondary much the smallest. Midbody scale-
rows usually 20. occasionally 21 or 22. Lamellae
under longest toe 10-13 (11.5).

Dorsally greyish fawn, marked with blackish
brown as follows: line of dots through centre
of each series of paravertebral scales from neck
to about proximal quarter of tail; stripe from
nasal or loreals through orbit to base of tail.
1-1^ scales wide on body; scales on remainder
of tail each with a transversely elongate spot;
small blotches on head. Limbs greyish brown.
Lips and ventrolateral and ventral surfaces
whitish except for dark-brown dots under tail
and greyish-brown soles and toes.

Remarks. This lizard is so similar in scutation
to inacropisthopus that it could well be con-
specific with it. At Jeedamya and Glenorn the
two forms are separated by only 30 miles.

Material. Eastern Division (W.A.): 3 mi. N
of Giles (34155); Barrow Range (20724. 20726 >:
Warburton Range '15146. 15176, 18224, 22000.
22060, 22089-90); Lake Wells (1607); Albion
Downs (8787. 30596. 30963); Kathleen Valley
(16903. 19776. 27229); 10 mi. NW of Agnew

(ERP 10980); Lake Throssell ( 15709 >; 5 mi. NE
of Dunges Table (ERP 12197); White Cliffs
(20662); Mt. Morgans (25953); Murrin Murrin
(ERP 10456); Glenorn (3785); 19 mi. W of
Randells (12228). Northern Territory: Arm-
strong Creek (JSE); Kulgera (24472).

Lerista picturata picturata

Lygosoma (Rfiodonaf picturatum Fry. 1914. Rec. W.
Aust. Mus. I : 186, Boulder, Western Australia
(W D. Campbell).

Diagiiosis. L. picturata is a large species with
digits 2 (or fewer) + 2, movable eyelid, nasals
forming median suture, frontoparietals paired,
and enlarged second supraocular excluding or
nearly excluding first from contact with frontal.

Distrihution. Southern interior of Western
Australia from Kalgoorlie and Norseman east to
Zanthus and Balladonia.

Description. Fingers 2 (first minute). 1 or 0
(fore-limb reduced to style); toes 2. Snout-
vent length (mm) 68-92 (81.1). Length of

appendages &c. (% SVL): fore-leg 0.8-1. 7 (1.3);
hind-leg 14.7-18.9 (16.3); tail 97 (1 specimen);
snout to fore-leg 24.1-25.7 (24.8).

Nasals in short to long contact. Prefrontals
widely separated. Frontoparietals separated,
much smaller than interparietal. Nuchals 2-5
(3.6) Supraoculars 3, second always and first
sometimes in contact with frontal. Supracili-
aries usually 0 -h 2, occasionally 0 +1 or 0 -i- 3.
Uppsr labials 6. Upper secondary temporal
largest, lower secondary much the smallest.
Midbody scale-rows usually 20, occasionally 22.
Lamellae under longer toe 13-15 (13.5).

Dorsally pale fawn with following dark-brown
markings: 4 dorsal lines from neck to middle
of tail (on which they break up into series of
dots), blotches on head, and stripe from lores
through orbit to base of tail. Lips and ventro-
lateral and ventral surfaces whitish.

Material. Eastern Division (W.A.) : 3 mi. SW
of Boulder (22513); Grants Patch (10147); 19
mi. W of Randells '12229); Zanthus (12227);
56 mi. SSE of Karonie (17340). Eucia Division
iW.A.): Norseman i8152); 29 mi. N of Balla-
donia HotSl (29473). Locality uncertain: 163
(no data); 4165 ("Mullewa") ; 26325 ("Green-
ough”).

Lerista picturata baynesi subsp. nov.

Holotype. R 24609 in Western Australian
Museum, an adult collected by G. M. Storr and
A. M. Douglas on 7 October 1964 at Eucia, West-
ern Australia, in 31 43'S, 128 53E'

Diagjiosis. Distinguishable from L. p. picturata
by weaker limbs, more elongate body, greyer
coloration and reduced pattern.

Distribution. Southeast of Western Australia:
shores of Great Australian Bight from Twilight
Cove east to Eucia and inland to Hampton
Tableland.

Desci'iption. Finger 1 or 0 Ci.e. fore-limb sty-
lar); toes 2 (first minute), occasionally only one.
Snout-vent length (mm) 64-33 (76.2). Length of
appendages &c. (% SVL): fore-leg 0.5-1.4 (1.2):
hind-leg 11.1-13.6 (12.2); tail 48-84 (70.3); snout
to fore-leg 21.9-23.9 (23.0).

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part .3. December, 1971

66

Nasals forming median suture (very narrowly
separated in one specimen). Prefrontals widely
separated. Frontoparietals moderately to nar-
rowly separated, much smaller than interparietal.
Nuchals 3-5 (4.3). Supraoculars 3, second

always and first occasionally in contact with
frontal. Supraciliaries 0 + 1 or 0 -r 2. Upper
labials 6. Primax*y temporal usually a little
larger than upper secondary: low^er secondary
much the smallest. Midbody scale row*s 18 or
20. Lamellae under longer toe 8-10 (9.0L

Dorsally oale browuiish-grey. Dorsal lines in-
distinct or absent. Narrow indistinct stripe
from nasal through orbit to base of tail, grey
flecked with blackish. Ventrolateral and ventral
surfaces xvhitish except for dark grey under toes.

Geographic variation. The colour pattern is
more strongly developed in the west than in the
east. The specimens from Madura and Twilight
Cove alone have dorsal lines and their upper
lateral stripe is fairly distinct: they thus form
a link betw'een nominate picturata and topo-
typical haynesi.

Remarks. Named after mammalogist Alex-
ander Baynes who collected many reptiles for
this Museum during his field-work in Western
Australia.

Paratypes. Eucla Division (W.A.): Twilight
Cove (28705); top of Madura Pass (28128); 27
mi. S of Madura (34445); Eucla (24610-17; ERP
13719, 13772); Eucla Pass <18188).

Lcrista gerrardii

Rhodona punctata var. gerrardii Gray. 1864. Proc. Zool.

Soc. Lond.. p. 296. Swan River (E. Gerrard).

Diagnosis. Large species with digits 1 + 2
(finger sometimes reduced to style; rarely 2 fin-
gers). movable eyelid, frontoparietals paired, and
dark vertebral stripe.

Disti'ibution. Southwestern interior of West-
ern Australia from Northampton and Dal-
garanga (fide Loveiidge 1934 : 371) south to
Mogumber. Merredin and Southern Cross.

Description. Snout-vent length (mm) 41-86.5
(75.6). Length of appendages &c. (% SVL:
fore-leg 1.6-4.4 (3.2); hind-leg 12.4-16.7 (14.3);
tail 89-109 (99. D; snout to fore-leg 22.2-27.8
(23.8).

Nasals narrowiy separated (rarely in short
contact). Prefrontals widely separated. Fronto-
paiietals separated (usually narrowly), smaller
than interparietal. Nuchals 2-4 (2.9). Supra-
oculars normally 3. first two in contact with
frontal. Supraciliaries usually 0 + 3 or l + 3.
occasionally 5. 4. 2 + 1, 1 + 2 or 0 + 2.
Upper labials 6. Upper secondary temporal
much the largest, lower secondary much the
smallest. Midbody scale-row^s 20. Lamellae
under longer toe 10-12 (11.0).

Dorsally pale brown, becoming dark greyish-
browm on snout and tail. Blackish-browm verte-
bral stripe from occiput to base of tail, whence
it continues as two series of paravertebral spots.
Blackish-browm stripe from nasal through orbit
to proximal quarter of tail, after which it be-
comCvS broken and indistinct. Remaining sur-
faces whitish.

Geographic variatioti. From southeast to
northwest there is a dine in increasing length
of finger: and it is only in the far northwest
that a specimen has been collected with tw'o
fingers on each fore-leg.

Material. South-West Division (W.A.i: Nor-
thampton (176, 25960, 31973-4); East Chapman
< 4430 ) ; Geraldton < 8597 > ; Newmarracarra

(1728-9); Mingenew' (34103); Perenjori (943>;
Coorow (6941); Maya (27914); 8 mi. NE of Jib-
berding White Well (28263); Wubin (11004);
Mogumber (3847); Merredin (7351); Southern
Cross (34577); “North Perth’' <4841).

Lerista lineopunctulata

Rhodona punctata Gray. 1839. Ann, Nat. Hist. 2 : 335.
New Holland. |Not Lygosoma punctatiim (Linnaeus)
of Boulengei‘ (1887 : 310). J

Brachystopus lineo-pmictulatus Dumeril & Bibron.
1839, “Erpetologie generate” 5 : 779. “Cape of Good
Hope” (A. Smith).

Ronia catenulata Gray. 1841. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist
7 : 87. Western Australia <J. Gould).

Soridia miopus GUnther, 1867, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist,
(3) 20 : 49. Champion Bay. Western Australia (P
H. Duboulay).

Lygosoma (Rhodona) t>ipes var concolor Werner. 1910,
“Fauna Sudwest-Australlens*' Z : 483. Denham.
Western Australia (W. Mlchaelsen ^ R. Hartmeyer).

Lygosoma (Rhodona) nigriceps Glaiiert, 1962. W. Aust.
Nat. 8 : 86. Vlaming Head, North-W’est Cape.

Western Australia (Mrs Thomas).

Diagnosis. Large spccies with digits 0 1 or

2. movable eyelid, prefrontals present, fronto-
parietals and interparietal fused, and no dark
upper lateral stripe.

Distribution. West coast of Western Australia
from North-West Cape south to the Sw'^an River,
inland to Yuna, Perenjori Moora and Darling-
ton; Bernier Island (Shark Bay): West Wallabi
Island iHoutman Abrolhos); Long and Middle
Islands (Jurien Bay).

Description. Fore-limb a style or tubercle or
absent, but groove always present. Snout-vent
length (mm) 36-103 (80. 8>. Length of append-
ages &c. (% SVL): fore-leg 0-1.3 (0.6); hind-
leg 6.1-17.3 (8.9); tail 73-96 (85.3); snout to
fore-leg 18.9-27.2 (22.3).

Nasals in contact. Prefrontals widely separ-
ated. Frontoparietals and interparietal fused
into single shield. Nuchals 0-3 (1.9). Supra-
oculars usually 3, first two in contact with fron-
tal. Supraciliaries usually 5. occasionally 4.
Upper labials 6. Upper secondary temporal
much the largest, lower secondary much the
smallest. Midbody scale-rows 20 (rarely 18 or
22). Lamellae under longer toe 4-11 (7.4>.

Dorsally pale brownish or greyish with pattern
varying geographically (see below). No dark
upper lateral stripe. Lips vertically barred with
dark brown. Lower surfaces whitish.

Geographic variation. Dorsal coloration,
development of limbs and number of nuchals
vaiy geographically.

In the south, each dorsal and upper lateral
scale usually bears a narrow longitudinally-
orientated blackish-brown bar resulting in a total
of six broken lines; but there is much individual
variation — some specimens are almost unspotted:

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3. December. 1971

67

others have many more series of spots; and in
some the spots are squarish in shape or trans-
versely elongate. In the north (‘'nigriceps'' )
there are no spots, and the head is dark
greyish-brown. In the central region {'‘miopus”)
the coloration of northern and southern types
are variously combined, though the head is
seldom as dark as in the north or the back so
spotted as in the south.

Southern specimens usually have a stylar fore-
limb and didactyl hind-limb. In the far north
there is no trace of a fore-leg and the hind-
leg is monodactyl. Specimens from the inter-
vening region are variously intermediate (and
moreover there is no concord betw^een limb
development and colour type).

From south to north, relative length of tail
and of snout to fore-leg decrease, and the num-
ber of nuchals increases.

Material. North-M'est Division (W.A.): North
West Cape (31273); Vlaming Head (14039.
19669. 22054 ); 20 mi. S of Point Cloates ( 13214 f
Carnarvon (4765-6) ; Eernier Island (10656,
20506-7); Cape Feron (33373); Denham (19683);
Useless Laop 26725); Tamala <18598). South-
West Division W.A.; West Wallabi Island
(22962); 19 mi. N of Murchison House (34041);
Kalbarri (31084, 33535); Northampton (8530':
Wonthella <14152); 20 mi. NE of Yuna (26500);
Eradu (5063); Denison (19858); Pereniori
(29281); Jurien Bay (18194. 30481); Jurien Bay
Islands ( 18189-93 ) ; Moora ) 7607 ) ; Gingin
(3786); Bullsbrook East ) 29776 ►; Darlington
(214); 27 specimens from Perth and suburbs
(from Scarborough and Mt. Lawley south to
Cotteslce and Victoria Park).

Lerista nichollsi

Rhodona nichollsi Loveridge, 1933, Occ. Pap. Boston
Soc. Nat. H.st. 8 : 97. Dalgaranga. W'^estern Aus-
tralia (G. E. Nicholls).

Diagnosis. Medium-sized species wdth digits
0 2. eyelid fixed, and frontoparietals and

interparietal fused; distinguishable from bipes
and labialis by presence of prefrontals, verte-
bral stripe and fore-limb groove.

Distribution. Mid-western interior of Western
Australia from the Gascoyne south to the lower
Murchison and upper Greenough. east to Mileura
and Dalgaranga.

Description. Fore-limb tubercular or absent.
Eyelid fixed. Snout-vent length (mm) 31-61
(50.9). Length of appendages &c. (% SVL) :

hind-leg 13.8-20.2 (17.3); tail 78-99 (91.2);

snout to fore-limb groove 21.6-25.6 (23.0).

Nasals in short to moderately long contact.
Prefrontals widely separated (absent in 18198).
Nuchals 2 or 3 (2.3). Supraoculars 3. first two
in contact with frontal. Supraciliaries 0^1.
0 + 2. 1 -h 2. 3 or 4. Upper labials 6. Upper
secondary temporal much the largest, lower
secondary much the smallest. Midbody scale-
rows 20 (rarely 18). Lamellae under longer
toe 9-15 (11.4).

Dorsally very pale grey or browm, sometimes
almost white. Vertebral stripe from nape nearly
to end of tail, consisting of two series of dark

brow’n paravertebral dots wdth space between
them filled in with dark or pale brown. Dark
brown stripe from nasal or loreals through

orbit nearly to end of tail Ventrolateral and
ventral surfaces whitish.

Material. North-West Division (W'.A.):

Booloogooroo (31274); 14 mi. S of Booloogooroo
(16950); Wooramel <18198, 19932) ; Coordewandy
(28386) : Mileura (13477. 15808); Wooleen

(4455); Yallalong (12G2); Meka <29272).

South-West Division (W.A.); Gie Gie Outcamp.
21 mi. NNW of Murchison House (34046); 1 mi.
SE of Kalbarri (37640-1); V/andina (9058).

Lerista connivens sp. nov.

Holotype. R 25777 in Western Australian
Museum, collected by G. M. Storr on 30 August
1965 on Salutation Island. Western Australia, in
26 32'S. 113 46'E.

Diagnosis. Distinguishable from nichollsi by
movable eyelid aiid greater size.

Distribution. Mid-west coast of Western Aus-
tralia; islands of Freycinet Estuary. Shark Bay:
and on the mainland at Kalbarri (mouth of the
Murchison ) .

Description. Usually no trace of fore-limb,
rarely a tubercle. Snout-vent length (mm»
65-80 (72.3). Length of appendages &c. (%
SVL): hind-leg 12.6-15.2 (13.7); snout to fore-
limb groove 21.5-23.4 (22.5).

Nasals in moderately long contact. Prefron-
tals wddely separated. Frontoparietals and in-
terparietal fused into single shield. Nuchals
0-2 (1.3). Supraoculars 3, first two in contact
with frontal. Supraciliaries 3 or 4. Upper
labials 6. Upper secondary temporal much the
largest, lower secondary much the smallest. Mid-
body scale-rows 20 or 22. Lamellae under longer
toe 9-12 (10 3).

Dorsally white or greyish-w'hite, marked as
in nichollsi except for vertebial stripe usually
wider and more ragged-edged.

Paratypes. North-West Division (W.A.) :
Freycinst Island (25811); Mary Anne Island
(middle islet 25762-4, south islet 25759-61);
Salutaticn Island <25776); Three Bays Island
(25750-2). South-West Division (W.A.): Kal-
barri (34317).

Lerista bipes

Rlicdcna bipes Fischer. 1882, Arch. Naturgesch. 48 :
292. Nickol Bay. Western Australia.

Diagnosis. Small slender species with digits
0-^2, moveable eyelid, and frontoparietals and
interparietal fused: distinguishable from L.

nichollsi by absence of prefrontals and of all
trace of fore-limbs (including groove), and from
L. labialis Dy presence of supraciliaries and of
two supraoculars in contact with frontal.

Distribution. Western Australia, south in the
west to the Tropic and in the east to Laverton
and Lake Ell; also on Depuch, Hermite and
Barrow' Islands. Northern Territory north to
Elliott. Far northwest of South Australia.

Journal of the Royal Society of W'estern Australia. Voi. 54 Part 3. December. 1971

68

Description. Snout depressed, very sharp in
profile, extending well beyond mouth. Snout-
vent length (mm) 26-67 (49.9). Length of ap-
pendages (% SVL) : hind-leg 12.9-21.8 (16.8 ':
tail 67-106 (85.1).

Nasals narrowly separated (occasionally just
touching, very rarely in short contact or widely
separated). No prefrontals (small one on one
side of 29456). Nuchals 0-4 (2.1). Supraoculars
3 (locally 2). Supraciliaries 0 ^ 1 or 2. Upper
labials 5 (locally 6). Primary and upper second-
ary temporals subequal, lower secondary much
the smallest. Midbody scale-i'ows 18 (locally
20). Lamellae under longer toe 7-12 (9.3).

Doi’sally pale reddish-brown. Usually a line
of brown dots through centre of paravertebral
scales from nape nearly to end of tail; less
frequently an additional but fainter series of
dorsal dots. Dark-brown stripe from nasal
through orbit nearly to end of tail. Lips and
lower surfaces whitish.

Geographic variation. The most distinctive
populations are those from the Kimberley Divi-
sion. They are characterised by large size (in-
cluding the only specimens whose snout-vent
length exceeds 62 mm) and high number of mid-
body scale-rows (20 everywhere except in south-
west. where 13 is frequent at Broome and the
only count at Lagrange). All specimens from
near Derby (and also the single specimen from
Dunham River) are additionally peculiar in
having 6 upper labials. The northeast Kim-
berley specimens are relatively dark, and their
well-defined dorsal lines extend on to the occi-
put.

Specimens f^’om the north-west coast are a:Jl
to be very pale and to have little indication
of dorsal pattern. They are also notable for
their shorter-than-average hind-legs and the
relatively high frequency of contiguous nasals.
All ten specimens from Depuch Island have
only two supraoculars. a trait shared with some
mainland speciments. viz. those from De Grey
and Wallal and one of the four specimens from
Lagrange; this reduction is due to fusion of the
second and third supraoculars. not the fii'st
and second as in labialis.

The populations from the Northern Territory
and the interior of Western Australia are all
very similar. On average the ground colour
is darker, the dorsal pattern stronger, and the
number of nuchals and subdigital lamellae
greater than in west Kimberley and along the
north-west coast.

Remarks. Wherever Kimberley specimens
diverge from normal, it is generally in the direc-
tion of labialis. This, however, does not neces-
sarily imply a direct relationship; it could weU
be due to the independent retention of ances-
tral characters.

Material. Kimberley Division (W.A.): Ninbing
(27913); Point Springs, Weaber Range (26774);
11 mi. ENE of Kimbeiley Research Station
(17105); 13 and 23 mi. SE of Kununurra (23108,
23113); 14 mi. N of Dunham River HS. (23080);
Derby (20295-6, 20333-7); 5 and 14 mi. S of
Derby (23005, 18210); Broome (1256-7, 13565,

14112, 27909, 29159); Lagrange (3440, 3448-9.
31269). North-West Division (W.A.): Wallal
(7598); Da Grey (2125); Muccan (10896); Mt.
Edgar (1820S-9); Woodstock (31272); Jiggalong
(13342, 13358. 18204. 25116); Mundabullangana
(18205); Depuch Island (14564-73); Roebemme
(12125); Hermite Island (28683, 31267-8); Bar-
row Island (28677-82, 27910-2, 31258-65);

North-West Cape (22505); Vlaming Head
(19670); Yardie Creek (13213, 31270-1); Mar-
rilla (5647); Lyndon (10486). Eastern Division
(W'.A.): Well 39. Canning Stock Route <3980):
Well 37, C.S.R. (3972); Kidson Camp (26940-D:
Well 23. C.S.R. (27056); Well 24. C.S.R. (27024);
Windy Corner (27003): Windich Spring (3896);
9 mi. E of Mt. Nossiter (26888); 4 mi. NW of
Mt. Aloysius (20972); Warburton Range and
5 mi. NNW (14648-52. 15159. 15177-8. 17849-53,
18199-201. 21202-5, 22061-2, 22091-4, 22102.

22203); Winduldarra Soak (18202); 88 mi. E of
Cosmo Newberry ( 18203) ; 22 mi. W of Yamarna
(20680); White Cliffs (20661); Cosmo Newberry
( 13856) ; 25 mi. NE of Laverton (31266) ; Elduna.
near Lake Ell (29456). Northern Territory:
Elliott (24190): 26 mi. SW cf Wauchope
(24318-20); 28 mi. NE of Barrow Creek
(24341-7); Kintore Range (JSE 278 a-b); east
of Bonython Range. 23 42'S, 129 02'E (JSE

191): Armstrong Creek (JSE 89. 112): Cm*tin
Springs (JSE 24b, 27b, 42c, 48a-b). South Aus-
tralia: 40 mi. NW of Mt. Lindsay, Birksgate
Range (31725).

Lerista labialis sp. nov.

Holotype. R 22647 in Western Australian
Museum, collected by W. H. Butler and A. M.
Douglas on 14 July 1964 at Poonda, Western
Australia, in 22 53'S'. 119 42'E,

Diagnosis, Small, slender species with digits
0 + 2, movable eyelid, frontoparietals and inter-
parietal fused, and no fore-limb groove. Dis-
tinguishable from L. bipes by having only one
supraocular in contact with frontal and no
supraciliaries. Most populations of labialis fur-
ther distinguishable from most populations of
bipes by having 6 upper labials (against 5). 20
midbody scale-rows (against 18), and 2 supra-
oculars (against 3>.

Distribution. Northern Territory north nearly
to Banka Banka. South Australia south to the
Gawler Range. Western Australia in the upper
and middle parts of the valley of the Fortescue
River, on the Houtman Abrolhos. and in the
far southeastern interior near Lake Ell.

Description. Snout depressed, very sharp in
profile, extending well beyond mouth. Snout-
vent length (mm: 32-60 '53.1). Length of ao-
pe:«idages ( % SVL) : hind-leg 14.0-18.2 ( 16 3) *
tail 71-97 (35.8).

Nasals separated. No prefrontals. Fronto-
parietals fused to each other and to interparietal.
Nuchals 0-3. Supraoculars 2, first much the
larger and alone in contact with frontal No
supraciliaries. Upper labials 6 (rarely 5). Upper
secondary temporal usually a little larger than
primary, lower secondary much the smallest
Midbody scale-rows 20 (locally 18 or 19). Lamel-
lae under longer toe 8-12 (9.7).

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol, 54 Part 3. December. 1971

69

Dorsally pale reddish-brown with two lines
of dark brown dots running through centre of
each paravertebral series. Broad dark brown
stripe from nostril, back thi’ough orbit, nearly
to end of tail. Ventral .-.urfaces whitish.

Remarks. The taxonomic status of this form
is uncertain. Apart from the isolated Fortescue
population, labialis generally occurs to the east
and southeast of bipes: and it tends to occupy
heavier soils, whereas bipes alone has been
found in sand dune country. At Curtin Springs
(in the south of the Northern Territory) and
near Lake Ell (in the southeastern interior of
Western Australia), where these two kinds of
couiitry meet, both forms have been collected.
Because of this sympatry, it would seem that
labialis has attained specific distinctness. Else-
where. however, there is evidence of extensive
hybridization at the boundary of the two forms.

Our single specimen from Elliot <24190) has
the supraoculars and supvaciliai’ies on one side
of the head as in bipes and on the other side
as in labialis^ which indicates that the nature
of the supraoculars and supraciliaries should
be regarded as a single character, i.e. first and
second supraoculars and supraciliaries fused to
each other or free. The Elliot specimen is
identified with bipes because of its 18 midbody
scale-rows and 5 upper labials. Further south,
near Banka Banka, all five specimens have 18
scale-rows but in other respects agree with
labialis. Likewise at its western limits in the
Northern Territory < Chernside River » and South
Australia (Serpentine Lakes), labialis may have
18 or 19 scale-rows; furthermore one of the
three specimens from the Chernside has an
additional bipes character, viz. 3 supraoculars.

Paratypes. Western Australia: Hooley (10820);
Poonda. 28 mi. SW of Roy Hill (22643-6.
31275-9); Wallabi Group. Houtman Abrolhos
(188); Elduna, near Lake Ell (29455). Northern
Territory: 7 mi. S of Banka Banka (24219-23);
26 mi. SW of Barrow Creek (24371-2); Mt
Esther (24382); 8 mi. S of Teatree (24402); 17
mi. S of Teatree (24403-4); Palm Valley (20864) ;
Chernside River i20774-6»; Mt Olga (JSE 68);
Curtin Springs (20812-4; JSE 14, 24a, 27a. 42a-b,
48c); Victory Downs (20921-4): Kulgera

(20914). South Australia; 35 mi. E of Serpen-
tine Lakes (34530); 14 mi. N of Sundown

(24481); Ingomar (24491); 13 mi. SE of Kokatha
(24510).

Lerista hiimphriesi sp. nov.

Holotype. R 34048, a gravid female in West-
ern Australian Museum, collected by the Hale
School Expedition on 27 December 1968 at Gee
Gie Outcamp. 21 miles NNW of Murchison
House, Western Australia, in 27 21'S, 114“ 09'E.

Diagnosis. Small slender species with digits
0^0, movable eyelid, no prefrontals, fronto-
parietals and interparietal fused, and secondary
temporals fused. Further distinguishable from
bipes and labialis by small stylar hind-limb,
16 scale-rows and contiguous nasals; and from
praepedita by two loreals (not one), a supra-
ciliary (rather than none) and 6 labials (rather
than 5).

Distribution. Mid-western Western Australia,
near the mouth of the Murchison.

Description (of holotype, the only known
specimen). Snout depressed, very sharp in pro-
file, extending well beyond mouth. No trace of
fore-limb (including groove). Hind-limb stylar,
Snout- vent length (mm) 57. Length of hind-
leg (% SVL) 2.2.

Nasals forming a short median suture. Nuchals
2 or 3. Supraoculars 3, first 2 in contact with
frontal. Supraciliaries 0 -h 1. Upper labials 6.
Temporals 2. secondary much larger than pri-
mary. Midbody scale-rows 16.

Ground colour brownish white, marked with
dark brown as follows. Line through middle of
each series of paravertebral scales. Line of dots
through next series of scales (laterodorsaD,
anteriorly continuous, but soon breaking up into
a series of dots increasingly widely separated,
finally becoming a series of faint, transversely
orientated crescents. Broad upper lateral stripe
extending narrowly forward through orbit to
lores, confluent with vertical bars on posterior
edge of first three upper labials. Three ventro-
lateral series of dots beginning behind ear
aperture: uppermost soon developing into a con-
tinuous line; central soon changing into a series
of vertically orientated crescents; and lowest
soon disappearing but reappearing on posterior
half of the body as a series of crescents smaller
than those of central series. Top of head dotted
and flecked with brown. Under surfaces
whitish.

Remarks. Named after Robert B. Humphries,
who as field-leader of Hale School expeditions
and on other occasions has contributed many
reptiles to the collections of the Western Aus-
tralian Museum.

Lerista praepedita

Soridia tineata Gray. 1839. Ann. Nat. Hist. 2 : 336.
Australasia. [Not Lygosoma Imeatxim (Gray) of
Boulenger (1887 : 316) or Lerista lineata Bell.)

Praepeditus lineatus Dumeril <fe Bibron, 1839.
"Erpetologie generale'* 5 ; 788. “Cape of Good

Hope” (A. Smith).

Pholeophilus capensis Smith, 1849. “Illustrations
Zoology South Afiica”, Reptiiia, app., p. 15. tNomen
oblitum. I

Lygosoma praepeditum Boulenger. 1877. “Cat. Liz.
Brit. Mus.“ 3 : 337. Western Australia.

Diagnosis. Small, very slender species with
digits 0 + 0. movable eyelid, no prefrontals.
and frontoparietals and interparietal normally
fused. Further distinguishable from bipes.
labialis and humphriesi by single loreal and dark
venter.

Distribution. West coast of Western Australia
from Carnarvon south to Mandurah, inland to
Eradu, Gingin and Guildford: also on Shark
Bay islands (Bernier and Salutation), Houtman
Abrolhos (North, East and West Wallabi, and
Middle Islands), and Rottnest and Garden
Islands.

Description. No trace of fore-limb (including
groove). Hind-limb stylar. Snout-vent length
(mm) 33-65 <54.8). Length of appendages

(% SVD: hind-leg 1. 5-3.2 (2.1); tail 63-93
(79.8).

Journal of the Royal Society of W'estern Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

70

Figure 1. — Map of Western Australia showing location of specimens of Lerista elegans species-group and of

L. planiventralis.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

71

Nasals in short to moderately long contact.
Frontoparietals and interparietal usually fused
(occasionally frontoparietaLs free, very widely
separated and very much smaller than inter-
parietal). Nuchals 1-4 (2.8). Supraoculars

usually 2. both in contact with frontal: occa-
sionally 3 (especially in north) with first two
(rarely all three) in contact with frontal. No
supraciliaries. Upper labials 5. Upper second-
ary temporal much the largest, lower secondai'y
much the smallest. Midbody scale-rows 16
(rarely 14 or 17).

Dorsally very pale olive-grey with two series
of blackish-brown dots, each located on mid-
anterior edge of a paravertebral scale. Blackish-
brown stripe from nasal through orbit to end of
tail, ill-defined on head. Ventrolaterals, ven-
trals and subcaudals greyish white, anteriorly
edged with blackish brown. Enlarged preanals
whitish, contrasting with dark adjacent scales.

Material. North-West Division (W.A.): Car-
narvon (4754); Bernier Island (13216, 20508-11);
Salutation Island (25775). South West Divi-
sion (W.A): North Island (18222-3); East Wal-
labi Island (18221); Middle Island (27187);
Eradu (5065-6); Dongara (12069-70); Gingin
(34110); Gnangai’a (34264-5); Wanneroo
<31459); 46 specimens fx’om Perth and suburbs
(from Scarborough, Tuart Hill and Guildford,
south to Mosman Park. Nedlands and Bays-
water); Rottnest Island (3730. 15200, 18219-20.
29890. 29905); Garden Island (28470. 32366);
West Murray (2904); “Yoik” (7331 ).

Discussion

Like Ctenotus, the genus Lerista is rich in
species and state-wide in distribution; but there
the resemblance ends. Ctenotus species are
mainly active foragers in the open spaces be-
tween cover, and are best represented in arid
country. They range in size and habitus from
C. ocellifer and grandis, species much resembl-
ing the skinks of the Egernia whitii group, down
to small litter-inhabiting forms like C. schoin-
hurgkii which in their morphology and way of
life are not unlike members of such cryptozoic
genera as Carlia, Leiolovisma and Morethia.

Lerista, from the adaptive viewpoint, could be
said to begin where Ctenotus leaves off. Its
most generalised species. L. microtis, with pen-
tadactyl limbs, 4 supraoculars. 6 supraciliaries,

7 upper labials, large frontoparietals. dark
ground coloration and moderately well-developed
pattern of dark and pale stripes, is superficially
similar to the small Utter-inhabiting skinks of
various other genera. At the other end of the
adaptive scale in Lerista is L. praepedita, a pale
fossorial species with no trace of a fore-limb,
the hind-limb reduced to a clawless style, only
2 supraoculars. 5 upper labials. 1 loreal. no
supraciliaries and prefrontals, and fronto-
parietals and interparietal usually fused into a
single shield.

The various morphological changes associated
with adaptive shift from active foraging in litter
to a more fossorial way of life are only partially
correlated with each other. That is to say, a

given species of Lerista may be more generalised
or primitive in some characters, more specialised
in others. And instead of a continuum in adap-
tation. we tend to have species clustering about
discrete levels of specialisation. This pheno-
menon permits a (division of the genus into
species-groups.

Elegans group

Composition; L. microtis, frosti, distinguenda.
elegans, terdigitata and muelleri.

Diagnosis: Small Lerista with fore-limbs about
half as long as hind-limbs; fingers 3-5, equal
in number to toes; frontoparietals forming a
median suture: dorsum usually olive in colour:
dark upper lateral stripe and white midlateral
stripe usually present.

Remarks: These skinks are shade-loving in-
habitants of leaf -litter. Most, if not all. of them
are diurnal and freely expose themselves when
foraging. They are best represented in the
cooler and more humid parts of the State (Pig.
1). One species, muelleri, ranges widely in arid
(but not desert) regions. Another species, frosti,
is predominantly southern but has relictual
populations in northern oases.

In the sequence microtis-muelleri there is a
steady progression in the elongation of the body,
the shortening of limbs, loss of digits, and fusion
of head shields. The smallest species, viz. dis-
tinguenda, elegans and muelleri, have acquired
an ablepharine eye (i.e. the lower eyelid is
immovable and entirely transparent), a condi-
tion for which there is evidently strong selection -
pressure in litter-inhabiting skinks whose snout-
vent length averages less than 40 mm.

Lineata group

Remarks: This group consists only of

L. lineata, a species that is close to extinction,
judging from its very restricted, mainly insular
distribution. It differs from the elegans group
in (1) reduction of fore-leg (much less than
half as long as hind-leg. and bearing fewer
digits), (2) snout slightly protrusive, and (3)
lack of olive tone in dorsal coloration. It thus
shows some tendency towards the fossorial
groups described below.

Planiv entrails group

Remarks: The single species is very peculiar
and has no close relatives. The function of the
fiange along the ventrolateral angle of the body
is unknown; perhaps it aids the lizard in some
way to penetrate fissures between layers of
limestone. The depression, prolongation and
sharpness of the snout are as well developed
as in the bipes group, and the fusion of the
secondary temporals is elsewhere found only in
the highly fossorial L. liumphriesi. In other
respects it is not so specialised, e.g. elongation
of body, relative length of hind-leg, and the
condition of the frontoparietals are much the
same as in the elegans group.

Macropisthopus group

Composition: L. neander, macropisthopus.

desertorum, picturata and gerrardi.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3. December. 1971

72

Figure 2. — Map of Western Australia showing location of specimens of Lerista borealis, L. walkeri and the L.

macropisthopus species-grcup.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3, December. 1971

73

►►

Figure 3. — Map of Western Australia showing location of specimens of Lerista bipes species-group.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

74

Diagnosis: Large Lerista with the fore-limb
much less than half as long as hind-limb; front-
oparietals separated; one or more supraciliaries
usually fused to supraoculars.

Remarks. This group is best represented in
southern arid and semiarid woodlands and
scrubs (Fig. 2). Though some if not all species
live in leaf-litter like th^^ elegans group, they
do not expose themselves in the day-time (it is
uncertain whether this is because they forage
beneath the surface or because they are cre-
puscular or nocturnal). V/hether they are
spotted, striped or unpatterned seems to have
no phylogenetic significance.

Two species, L. borealis and walkeri, from
regions of moderate rainfall within the tropics
are tentatively excluded from the group. They
are smaller and not so advanced in fossorial
specialisation, e.g. the body is less elongate, the
limbs are relatively longer, the snout is blunter,
and the supraciliaries do not tend to fuse with
the supraoculars.

Also tentatively excluded from the group is
L. lineopunctulata of the west coast. It is fairly
similar in habitus to the macropisthopus group,
but in view of its unfused supraciliaries is pos-
sibly not derived from it. An inhabitant of loose
coastal sands, lineopunctulata is somewhat more
advanced in fossorial development than any
member of the macropisthopus group, e.g. degree
of elongation of body, reduction of limbs and
digits, and the fusion of frontoparietals and
interparietal into a single shield.

Bipes group

Composition: L. connivens, nichollsi, bipes,
labialiSy humphriesi and praepedita.

Diagnosis: Small to medium -sized elongate
Lerista with no fore-limbs and never more than
two toes; snout prolonged, depressed and sharp:
ground colour pale with a dark upper lateral
stripe and two series of dark paravertebral spots
which may be modified into a vertebral stripe.

Remarks: The least specialised forms are
connivens and nichollsi. The remaining species
are sand-swimmers par excellence; they lack
prefrontals and fore-limb groove. Two species,
bipes and labialis, range widely in arid and
semiarid regions; the others are confined to the
west coast and its vicinity (Fig. 3).

References

Boulenger, G. A. {1887). — “Catalogue of the lizards in
the British Museum (Natural History)” 3.
(Brit. Mus. : Lond.)

Glauert, L. (1961). — “A handbook of the lizards of
Western Australia.” (W. Aust. Nat. Club :
Perth.)

Greer, A. E. (1967). — A new generic arrangement for
some Australian scincid lizards. Breviora
no. 267: 1-19.

Loveridge, A. (1934). — Australian reptiles in the Museum
of Comparative Zoology. Bull. Mus. Comp.
Zool. 77 (6) : 248-383.

Mittleman, M. B. (1952). — A generic synopsis of the
lizards of the subfamily Lygosominae.
Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 117 (17) : 1-35.
Smith. M. A. (1937). — A review of the genus Lygosoma
(Scincidae : Reptilia) and its allies. Rec.
Ind. Mus. 39 ; 213-234.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

75

10 — New Western Australian species of Thysanotus R.Br. (Liliaceae) — 2

By N. H. Brittan*

iManuscript recewed 20 April 1971: accepted 27 July 1971

Abstract

A proposal is made to emend the circum-
scription of the genus Thysanotus so as to
include taxa possessing trilocular ovaries with
from 2-20 ovules per loculus, in place of 2
ovules per loculus as at present.

Ten new species are described and illustrated
— T. acerosi/olius, T. hrachiatus, T. brachyan-
therus. T. nudicaulis. T. parviflorus, T. pyra-
midalis, T. ramulosus, T. sabulosus. T. speckii.
all belonging to the section of the genus with
six stamens and T. teretifoHus belonging to
the section with three stamens. T. nudicauHs
is noteworthy in that it has a distribution
which extends to Eyre Peninsula, South
Australia.

Introduction

The original circumscription of the genus
Thysanotus (Brown 1810) characterises the
ovary as “Ovarium loculis dispermis“. the cap-
sule 3-loc. . . and the seeds “Semina bina, . .
Later workers confirm these, e.g. Bentham (1861)
“Ovary 3-celled. with 2 ovules .... Capsule
3-valved. Seeds (when both ripen) . . Baker
(1877) “Ovarium sessile oblongum. ovulis in
loculo geminis;’’ and “Capsula membranacea
globosa loculicide trivalvis . . and Bentham
(1878) “Ovary .... 3-celled. with 2 superposed
ovules in each cell:” and “Capsule . . . 3-valved.
Seeds 1 or 2 in each cell, . .

It has been found that the distinctive floral
characteristics of the genus such as the posses-
sion of fringed inner perianth members, a par-
ticular anther morphology and staminal arrange-
ment may be associated with trilocular ovaries
containing up to 17 ovules per loculus
(T. bi’achyantherus sp. nov. — 6-8 and T. nudi-
caulis sp. nov. 10-17). These taxa warrant in-
clusion within the genu« Thysanotus. It is
therefore proposed to emend the generic descrip-
tion by substituting ‘ovules 2-20 per loculus'
and ‘Capsules 3-valved with up to 50 seeds’.

Thysanotus R.Br. emend. N. H. Brittan.
Ovarium triloculare, utroque loculo ovulis 2-20.
Capsula 3-valvata, usque ad 50 seminalis.

Xypus: — T. juncifolius (Salisb.) Willis et Court.

1. T. acerosifolius N. H. Brittan sp. nov.
Hclotypus: — Pallarup Rocks, ca 31 miles N. of
Ravensthorpe. Brittan 60 128-1, 14.xii.l960
lUWAi (Fig. 1).

Isotypi: — Brittan 60/128-2 < MED. 60/128-3 (K),
60/128-4 (CANB), 60T28-5 (PERTH).

* Department of Botany. University of Western A\is-
tralia. Nedlands. Western Australia 6009

Herba perennis: caudex 5—15 mm dia.. bracteis et
basibus foliorum persistentibus circumcinctus. Tubera
ellipsoidea-cylindrica. glabra, flavida. 1.5-5 cm longa,

4- 7 mm dia.. in radicibtis fibrosis 4-9 cm longis. Folia
10-15, fillformia, glabra, 9-24 cm longa. prope basin
membranaceo-marginata. Inflorescentia 15-30 cm alta,
plerumque in summis 2 cm ramificans. Scaptis erectus,
teres, glaber, infra ramum primum ebracteatus. Brac-
teae inflorescentiae 3-4mm longae, acutae, uninervatac.
Umbellae circa 4-florae terminales. Bracteae umbel-
larum late-ovatae. 1-2-nervatae. 2-2.5 mm longae mem-
branaceae. Pedlcelll 6-7 mm longi. e basi 2-3 mm
articulati, florentes erecti, fructiferi nutantes. Flores
ut in genere. Tepala exterlora linearia. 10 mm longa.
1.5 mm lata, anguste membranaceo-marginata; tepala
interiora ovata, fimbriis 2-3 mm longis fimbriata.
Stamina 6; antherae strictae, non tortae, dorsifixae.
loculi basi breviter divergentes. pors terminalibus
dehiscentes; 3 exteriores 4 mm longae: 3 Interiores

3 mm longae. Ovarium sessile, triloculare, utroque
loculo ovuiis 2. Stylus terminalis, erectus^ strictus.
Capsula immatura ab perianthio persistenti inclusa.
Capsula matura et semina non visa.

Perennial herb, rootstock 5-15 mm dia., en-
closed by bracts and persistent leaf bases of
previous years’ growth. Roots fibrous, expand-
ing into cylindrical-ellipsoidal tubers at 4-9
cm from rootstock. Tubers glabrous, yellow-
ish, 15-50 mm long, 4-7 mm dia. Leaves
10-15 produced per season, filiform, glabrous.
9-24 cm long, with membranous wings towards
the bases. Inflorescences paniculate, 15-30 cm
tall, branching usually only in uppermost 2 cm.
Scrape erect, terete, glabrous, ebracteate below
first branch. Bracts subtending lower inflores-
cence branches 3-4 mm long, acute, single-
veined. Umbel bracts broadly ovate, mem-
branous, translucent, 2-2.5 mm long, 1-2-veined.
upper margins dentate between vein ending and
margin. Pedicels 6-7 mm long, articulate 2-3
mm from base, erect in flower, nodding in fruit.
Flowers as in genus. Outer tepals linear,

5- veined. 10 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, with narrow
membranous margins; inner tepals with opaque
centre portion. 3-veined, tapering to an acute
point, lamina ovate, surrounded by fringe 2-3
mm wide. Stamens 6: anthers straight not
twisted, dorsifixed, base of anther projecting
beyond point of insertion of filament as two lobes,
dehiscence by terminal pore, 3 outer anthers

4 mm long, 3 inner 3mm long. Ovary sessile,
trilocular. 2 ovules per loculus, surmounted by
straight, erect, style. Immature capsule en-
closed within persistent perianth. Mature
capsule and seeds not seen.

This species most closely resembles T. brevi-
folius N. H. Brittan (Brittan I960), from which
it differs in the paniculate inflorescence, the
shorter, narrower leaves and the marked accu-
mulation of past seasons’ ^eaf bases.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. o4 Part 3. December, 1971

76

Figure 1

9

i ’ ^

X..

^ #>'

nm ni \- 'M •>,!■

f H Hi" <«U tSH s'~'< J Jf : i N

-

i / 4 « Y ^ * ^ «

. — Thysanotus acerosifolius N. H. Brittan — Holotype: Brittan 60/128-1 (UWA), x 0.5; flower x 1.5.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

77

Figure 2

t

^ A/, i»-., SCw ,

/■■)

. — Thysanotus brachiatus N. H. Brittan — Holotype; Brittan 60/81-1 (UWA), x 0.5; flower x 2.0.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December. 1971

78

other specimens : — Type locality, George 2259.

14. xii.l960 <PERTH); 7 miles W. of Newdegatc
on Newdegate-Lake Grace road. Brittan 60/135,

15. xii.l960 (UWA).

2. T. brachiatus N. H. Brittan sp. nov.
Ilolotypus:— N. of Eyre Range, ca 21 miles
SS.W. of Ravensthorpe, Brittan 60/81-1.

3.xii.l960 <UWA) »Fig. 2>.

Isotypus : — Brittan 60/81-2 (K).

Herba perennis. Rhizoma ±: ylobosxim, circa 7 mm
dia vel cyiindrlcum. horizontale ca 1 cm dia.. 3-4 cm
lonsum testace\im. rellquils bracteariim membrana-
cearum obtecUim. Radices librosae hiiud tuberosae.
Planta aphylUi; 1-2 caules aerli; bractev\e radicales 2-4,
membranaceae. anguste-lanceolaiae. 1.5-2.5 cm longae.

2 mm latae. Caulis basin versus teres, dense tuber-

culatus. supra porcatus. glaber. 19-25 cm altus,
divaricate ramosus; ramus infimus plerumque l-ramosiis.
Splcae condensatae terminales, Bracteae spicarum
exteriores 2 late-deltoideae. circa l mm longae. ad
basin 1 mm latae. herbaceac. interiores anguste-
deltoideae. 1.25-1.5 mm longae. herbaceae. Spicae ad
8-florae Pedlcelli erecti, circa 4 mm longi, e basl
circa 1 mm articulati. Flores ut in genere, Tepala
exteriora angustissime-lanceolata. anguste mem-
branaceo-marginata. 7-8 mm longa. 1.5 lata,

mucronata. dorsaliter obscure 5-nervata: tspala intenora
elllptlca. 3-4 mm lata, fimbriis circa 3 mm longis
fimbriata. Stamina 6', antherae flavidae, apicem versus
dilute-purpureae, taasifixae. poris terminalibus dehiscen-
tes; 3 exteriores — strlctae, parum tortae. 3 mm longae.

3 interiores curvatae, tortae. circa 5 mm longae; fim-
menta 2.5 mm longa. Ovarium sessile, cylindricum,
triloculare, utroque loculo ovulls 2. Stylus teiminalis.
curvatus. circa 4 mm longus. Capsula immatura
circa 3 mm longa. ab psrianthlo persistent! inclusa.
Capsula matura et semina non visa.

Perennial herb. Rootstock a rhizome, rt
spherical ca 7mm dia. to horizontal, cylindrical,
UP to 1 cm dia., 3-4 cm long; pale brown, covered
with remnants of membranous bracts. Roots
fibrous not tuberous. Plant leafless, aerial stems
usually 2 per plant, enclosed by 2-4 radical
bracts, the bracts membranous, narrow-lanceo-
late. 1.5-2.5 cm long. 2 mm wide. Stems terete,
19-25 cm tall, densely tuberculate to retrorsely
hirsute in lower parts, upper ridged, ± glabrous;
divaricately branched, usually 1-2 sterile bracts
below first branch, lowest branch often branched,
others simple. Stems apparently persisting for
a second year, further branching occurring from
nodes on main stem and branches. Condensed
spikes terminating branches, outer bracts usually
two, herbaceous, broadly deltoid, ca 1 mm long,
1 mm broad at base, inner bracts herbaceous,
narrow-deltoid. 1.25-1.5 mm long. Spikes up
to 8-flowered. pedicels erect in flower and fruit,
ca 4 mm long, articulate ca l mm from base.

Flowers as in genus. Outer tepals very narrow -
lanceolate, narrowly membranous-margined. 7-8
mm long, 1.5 mm wide, mucronate. dorsally ob-
scurely 5-nerved. Inner tepals elliptical, ,1-4
mm wide, flmbriate, fimoriae ca 3 mm long.
Stamens 6; anthers yellowish with pale purple
tips, basifixed, dehiscing by terminal pore: 3
outer ± straight, slightly twisted. 3 mm long; 3
inner curved, twusted, ca 5 mm long, filaments

2 5 mm long. Ovary sessile, cylindneal, tri-
locular, ovules 2 per loculus. St.yle terminal,
curved, ca 4 mm long. Immature capsule ca

3 mm long, enclosed by persistent perianth.
Ripe capsule and seed not seen.

In general habit this species approaches some
specimens of the Eastern Australian T. junci-
folius (Salisb.) Willis et Court. It differs in the
greater number of flowers per 'umber — here
more correctly condensed spikes — and in the de-
velopment of a dense tuberculate indumentum
in the lower parts of the stems; T. ju7Lcifolius
is typically hirsute in this region.

Other specimens : — ca 40 miles W. of Ravens-
thorpe, Brittan 60/76. I.xii.l960 (MEL); Culham
Inlet road. N. of Hopetoun. Brittan 60/85.

4.X11.1960 (UWA); 70 miles E. of Ravensthorpe.
Ravensthorpe-Esperance road, Brittan s.n.,13.xii.
1951 OJAVA) : 26 miles W. of junction Esperance-
Ravensthorpe road with the Norseman road,
Brittan 60/119, 13.xii.l960 <PERTH).

3. T. brachyaiitherus N. H. Brittan sp. nov.

Holotypus : — In sand plain, nr. Russell Range,
ca 100 miles E. of Esperance, Brittan
60/95-1, 8.xii.l960 tUWA) (Fig. 3).

Isotypi: — Brittan 60 95-2 <K), 60 95-3 'MED.

Herba perennis: caudex parvus. Tubera elUpsoidea
3-4 cm longa in radicibus fibrosis 5-7 cm longis. Folia
radicalia, 4-5. plus minusve teretla. basl membrana-
cea-marginata, circa 15 cm longa. glabra, mr»rcescenUa
plerumque ante antliesln. infiorescentia paniculata.
raro racemosa. Scapus teres, glaber. Bracteae rainorum
Infimomm deltoideae. anguste membrana^co-marginatae.
acumlnatae-caudatae. 5-12 mm longae. Umbellae 1-4-
florae. terminales, raro sessiles. Bracteae umbellarum
late deltoideae. membranaceae. 1.5-2 mm longae.
Pedlcelli 5-7 mm longl, e basi 1. 0-1.5 mm articulati.
Flores ut 111 genere. Tepala exteriora linearia. mem-
branaceo-marginata, 9 mm Icnga, 1.5 mm lata; tepala
interlora elllptica, 3.5 mm lata, fimbriis 3 mm longis
fimbriata. Stamina 6; antherae 3 exteriores pamm
curvatae. parum tertae. 3 mm longae; antherae 3
interiores parum curvatae. valde tortae. 2 mm longae;
filamenta 2.5 mm longa. Ovarium sessile, globosum,
trloculare. utroque loculo ovulis 6-8. Stylus erectus.
3 mm longus. Capsula immatura plus miiuisve globosa.
ab perianthio persistent! inclusa. Capsula matura el
aemina non visa.

Perennial herb, rootstock small with clustered
fibrous roots becoming swollen 5-7 cm from
stock into ellipsoidal tubers 3-4 cm long. Scape
surrounded by 4-5 membranous-based. ±. terete,
glabrous leaves up to 15 cm long, marcescent,
usually before flowering. Inflorescence 1.
occasionally 2, usually a panicle, in some speci-
mens reduced to a raceme of umbels. Scape
terete, glabrous, bracts at lowest branch 5-12 mm
long, triangular, with narrow membranous mar-
gins. acuminate to caudate apex. Umbels
1-4-flowered, usually terminal on branches or
branchlets. occasionally sessile. Umbel bracts
membranous except for vein, broadly deltoid
1.5-2 mm long. Pedicel 5-7 mm long, articulate
1-1.5 mm from base. Flowers as in genus,
outer perianth 9 mm long, 1.5 mm broad, linear
with membranous margins: inner perianth 3.5
mm wide, elliptical, fimbriate except for 2 mm
at base, fimbriae 3 mm long. Stamens 6; 3
outer anthers slightly curved, slightly twisted.
3 mm long: 3 inner anthers slightly curved,
mai'kedly twisted, 2 mm long: filaments 2.5 mm
long. Ovary sessile, sphencal, trilocular. ovules
6-8 per loculus. Style straight. 3 mm long-
immature capsule enclosed by persistent peri-
anth, It globular. Mature capsule and seeds
not seen.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Ausiralla. Vol. 54 Part 3. December, 1971

79

Figure 3

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December. 1971

80

C-**c l^’Zi

6 .

:0

Thysanotus brachyantherus N. H. Brittan— Holotype: Brittan 60/95-1 (UWA, x 0.5; flower from Brittan

60/93 (x 1.5).

The inflorescence of this species has the
general habit of luxuriant specimens of
T. cymosus N. H. Brittan <Brittan I960) but
differs in the anthers, which are markedly
twisted, particularly the smaller whorl, in com-
parison with the anthers of T. cyfTiosus which
are not twisted and also show a marked pro-
jection of the loculi below the point of insertion
of the filament. It is also the case, in the
specimens so far seen, that the leaves are
marcescent earlier than in T. cyinosus.

Other specimens: — Junction of Balladonia,
Israelite Bay and Esperance tracks, near Mt.
Ragged, ca. 110 miles E. of Esperance. Brittan
60 93, 8.xii. 1960 (UWA), same locality and date.
George 2117 • PERTH).

4 T. Rudicaulis N. H. Brittan sp. nov.
Holotypus: — 65 miles E. of Esperance on Israe-
lite Bay track, Brittan 60/106-1. Il.xii.l960
(UWA) <Fig. 4).

Isotypi:— Brittan (K), 60/106-3 (MED.

60/106-4 (PERTH).

Herba perennis; caudex parvus. Tubera anguste-
ellipsoidea 2-3 cm longa, 5-6 mm dia.. in radicibus
fibrosis circa 8 cm longis. Bracteae radleales 3-4.
Uneares. apices acutae. 4-5 cm longae, 3 mm latae,
membranaceae. Folia radicalia. 1-2. supra semiteretia
vel obscure angulata. basin versus membranaceo-mar-
ginata semi-vaginantla. 12-30 cm longa. scabriuscula.
marcescentia plerumque ante anthesin. Inflorescentia
simplex, raro paniculata. Scapus teres, glaber. bractea
1 <raro 2) sterili, 5-7 mm longa. Rami Inflorescentlae
simplices, 1-2 cm longi, raro inftmi 3 cm longi.
Umbellae terrnliiales. 1 -4-florae: bracteae exteriores

late-ovatae, hertaaceae. anguste membranaceo-mar-
glnatae; bracteae interiores membranaceae, nervis
fuscis. Pedicelli 7-10 mm longi, e basi circa 2-3 mm
articulati. Flores ut in genere. Tepala exteriora 13-17
mm longa. 1.5-3 mm lata: tepala interlora anguste-
ovata. 4.5-6 mm lata, fimbiiis 2-4 mm longis flmbriata.
Stamina 6: antherae 3 exteriores curvatae. tortae. 7.5-
10 mm longae; 3 Interiores strictae. tortae, 3-4 mm
longae: filamenta 2-3 mm longa. Ovarium sessile,

triloculare, utroque loculo ovulis 10-17. Stylus erectus.
curvatus. Capsula 7 mm longa. 3 mm dia.. ab
perianthio persistent! inclusa. 30-50 seminalls. Semina
nigra, complanata, 1 x 1 x 0.75 mm.

Perennial herb; rhizome small and dr erect.
Roots swollen at 3-8 cm from stock into narrow
ellipsoid tubers 2-6 cm long, 5-6 mm dia. leaves
d: marcescent before flowering. 1-2, terete,
glabrous-scabridulous. 12-30 cm long. 1-4 mem-
branous bracts 4-5 cm long. 3 mm broad, en-
closing current year’s leaves, themselves en-
closed by remnants of previous years’ leaf bases
and bracts. Inflorescence a simple scape with
single terminal umbel, in luxuriant specimens
becoming paniculate. Scape 12-50 cm tall,
terete, usually with one (occasionally 2) sterile,
narrow-deltoid bracts 5-10 mm long. In pani-
culate specimens, peduncles of umbels 5-20 mm
long I occasionally 30 mm long) subtended by
deltoid bract ca 3-5 mm long. Umbels 1-4-
flowered. bracts 3-5 mm long, outer bract
broadly ovate-triangular with narrow mem-
branous margins, inner bracts membranous with
dark vein. Pedicels erect in flower and fruit.
7-10 mm long, elongating in fruit up to 20 mm,
articulate about one third length from base.
Flowers as in genus. Outer tepals narrow -linear,
13-17 mm long, 1.5-3 mm wide: inner tepals
elliptical, ca 4.5-6 ram wide, fimbriate, fimbriae
2-4 mm long. Stamens 6; three outer anthers

curved, twisted. 7.5-10 mm long; three inner
anthers straight, twisted, 3-4 mm long: filaments
2.5-4 mm long. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, tril-
ocular, with 10-17 ovules per loculus. Style
curved, as long as the longer stamens. Capsule
enclosed wathin persistent perianth. 7 mm long.
3 mm dia. Seeds black, flattened, minutely

tuberculate. 1 x 1 x 0.75 mm. Seeds 30-50 per
capsule.

This species in habit most closely resembles
T. formosus N.H. Brittan (Brittan 1960) from
which it differs in the production of ellipsoidal
tuberous roots (those of T. formosus remaining
narrow-cylindrical), leaves semi-terete and some-
what angular and the ovary with 10-17 ovules
per loculus. It is also noteworthy in its dis-
junct distribution between S.E. Western Aus-
tralia and Eyre Peninsula South Australia.

Other specimens: — Esperance - Ravensthorpe
road, 18 miles W. of Lort River crossing. Brittan
60/121, 13.xiU960 (UWAi; 3 miles E. of Lort
River crossing, Brittan 60/120, 13.xii.l960

(UWA); 19 miles W. of junction of Esperance-
Ravensthorpe toad with Norseman road. Brittan
60/117, 13.xii.l960 (UWA); S. of Mt. Merivale.
ca 13 miles E. of Esperance, Brittan 60/109.
12.xii.l960 (UWA), same locality and date.
George 2205 (PERTH); wet sandy places
Esperance Bay to Le Grand, Maxwell s.n., s.d.,
(MEL); base of Mt. Le Grand, ca 16 miles
S'.E. of Esperance, Brittan 60 111. leg. George.
12.xii.l960 (UWA) (Fig. 5>: slopes of Mt. Le
Grand, Brittan 60/113, leg. George, 12.xii.l960
(UWA); 2 mile? N. of Thomas River homestead,
ca 60 miles E. of Esperance. Brittan 60/107.
10.xii.1960 (UWA); 63 miles E. of Esperance on
Israelite Bay track, George 2189, ll.xii.l960
(PERTH); 12 miles S.W. of Mt. Ragged, ca 100
miles E. of Esperance, Brittan 60/91. 6.xii.l960
(UWA), same locality and date, George 2041
(PERTH); 14 miles S. of Mt. Ragged towards
Israelite Bay, Brittan 60/96. 8.xii.l960, -1

(UWA). -2 (CANB); 3 miles E. of junction Mt.
Ragged track and Esperance-Israelite Bay track.
Brittan 60 '97. 9.xii.l960 (UWA); ca 1 mile W.
of Israelite Bay settlement, Brittan 60/99.
9.xii.l960 (UWA); Point Culver, ca 70 miles
N.E. of Israelite Bay. Brooke s.n.. 1884 (MEL):
Port Lincoln, Eyre Peninsula, S.A.. Brown 17
and 69. 1874 (MEL>.

5. T. parvillorus N. H. Brittan sp. nov.
Holotypus: — W. slopes of West Mt. Barren, ca
60 miles S.W. of Ravensthorpe. Brittan
60/73-1, 29-Xi.l960 (UWA) <Pig. 6).

Isotypi: — Brittan 60.73-2 (K); GO 73-3 'MELj.

Herba perennis. Rhizoma parviim. bracteis et bnslbus
foliorum persistentibus circumcinctum. Radices car-
nosulae 1.5-2. 0 mm dia. non tuberiferae. Scapus et
folia 1 vel 2 bracteis membranaceis circa 4 mm longis
sribtenti. Folia 1 vel 2 Rngiiste-iinearia. teretla.
glabra, 10-25 cm longa. basi in vaginas membrana'ceo-
marginatas expansa. sub anthesi praesentia Scapus
inflorescentiae 14-25 cm altus, teres, glaber. apice 2-4-
ramosus. Rami 1.5-4 cm longi, bracteis deltoidels
4-6 mm longis, membranaceo-marginatis stibtenti
Umbellae biuae ramos florentes terminantes. raro urn-
bella sessUls infra summum. Umbella ab bractea
late-ovata. 3 mm longa, acuminata, anguste membrana-
ceo-marginata inclusa. Bracteae interiores augi;ste-
ovatae. membranaceae. nervis purpurascentlbus. Um-
bellae 4-6-florae, pediceliis florentibus ereclis. fi*uctiferis

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3, December. 1971

81

y^»4«<5 ^

■4 ^,t

5k''V<SW-~4- 'C‘~-~^

Figure 4 . — Thysanotus nudicaulis N. H. Brittan Holotype: Brittan 60/106-1 (UWA), x 0.5; flower x 1.5.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

82

Figure 5 . — Thysanotus nudicaulis N. H. Brittan — Brittan 60/111-1 (UWA) showing paniculate

infloresence, x 0.5.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

83

! nK'"-

)r>J. W- (2

w» £P<i°'^ p\auf^ y>«^ »v .

■'|'\%i^«=».

^ojji^} a^ ^0 i

Figure 6 . — Thysanotus parviflorus N. H. Brittan — Holotype: Brittan 60/73-1 (UWA), x 0.15; flower x 1.5.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

84

nutaniibus. Pedicelli 8-10 mm longi. e basl 3 mm
aiticulatl. Flores ut In genere. Tepala exteriora
anearia, muaronata. 7 mm longa. 1.5 lata, anguste
membranaceo-marginata; tspala interiora lats-elliptica
vei cirpularia, 5-6 mm lata, fimbriis 2 mm longis
fimbriata. Stamina 6; antherae purpureae, strlctae non
lortae, 3 interlores 2 mm longae. 3 exterlores 3 mm
longae: fllamenta 1 mm longa. Ovarium sessile trilocu-
lare. utroque loculo ovulis 2. Stylus terminalis, erectus.
strictus, 3 mm longus. Capsula cylindrica 4 mm longa.
2 mm dia.. ab psrianthio persistentl Inclusa. Semina
nigra 1.5 x 1.0 mm.

Perennial herb, rootstock small, surrounded
by bracts, bases of leaves and stems of previous
years’ growth. Roots fleshy, 1.5-2. 0 mm dia.,
no signs of tubers in the specimens. Scape and
leaves subtended by 1 or 2 membranous bracts
ca 4 cm long. Leaves 1 or 2. narrow-linear,
terete, glabrous. 10-25 cm long, usually present
at flowering time, with membranous bases simi-
lar to the bracts. Inflore.scence usually one per
plant, scape 14-25 cm tall, terete, glabrous. 1-4-
branched. Branches 1.5-4 cm long subtended
by triangular bract 4-6 mm long with mem-
branous margins. Pairs of closely appressed
umbels at apex of scape and 1-3 branches;
occasionally one sessile on scape below terminal
one. Each umbel enclosed by a ±:broadly ovate-
circular bract 3 mm long, acuminate with nar-
row membranous margins. Inner bracts
narrow-ovate, membranous, with distinct pur-
plish veins, projecting at apex. Umbels 4-6-
floweiid, pedicels erect in flower, nodding in
fruit, separating at the articulation at maturity.
Pedicels ca 8 mm in flower 10 mm in fruit,
articulation ca 3 mm from base, slightly swollen.
Flowers as in the genus. Outer perianth seg-
ments 7 mm long. 1.5 mm wide, linear with
narrow membranous margins, mucronate; inner
perianth segments broad-elliptic to circular,
5-6 mm wide, with 2 mm fringe. Stamens 6;
anthers purple, straight, not twisted; inner
three 2 mm long; outer three 3 mm long; fila-
ments 1 mm long. Ovary sessile, trilocular.
2 ovules per loculus; style terminal, erect,
straight, 3 mm long. Capsule cylindrical 4 mm
long. 2 mm wide, enclosed v.ithin persistent
perianth. Seeds up to 6 per capsule, black.
1.5 X 1.0 mm, with erect funicle and yellow aril
ca 1.5 mm long.

This species is reminiscent of T. chinensis
Benth. in flower size and placement. It differs
in having fewer scapes per plant, branched in-
florescences with 2-4 umbels per scape, fewer
but longer erect leaves and thickened fleshy
roots. It also has markedly different distribu-
tion.

6. T. pyramidalis N. H. Brittan sp. nov.
Holoiypus: — 65 miles N.E. of Wubin, Brittan
58/9-1 11.x. 1958 (UWA) (Pig. 7>.

Isotypi: — Brittan 58/9-2 iCANB), -3 (Kf, -4
(MEL), -5 (PERTH).

Radices flbrosae fasciculatae. tuberosae. Folia
racUcalia 6-8. linearia. plana, glabra, 12-16 cm longa. ca
1 mm lata, ante anthesin marcescentia. Scapus 18-30
cm longus. teres, striatus. prope basin hlrsutus.
Inflorescentia paniculata ramosisslma pyramldalls.
Bracleae nodorum minutae ca 5 mm longae. Umbellae
terminales. Umbellae 1-2-florae. Bracteae 2. cuneatae.
m\icronatae. 1.5 mm longae. Pedicelli 3-4 mm longi.
basi articulatl. erecti. Flores ut in genere. Tepala

exteriora lanceolata 9-10 mm longa. 2 mm lata, mem-
bi'anaceo-marginata, mucronata. valde 3-nervta; tepala
interiora elliptlca 4-4.5 mm lata, fimbriis ca i mm
longis fimbriata. Stamina 6; antherae biloculares.
Introrsum dehiscentes, 3 exterlores ca 3.5 mm longae.
rectae, baud tortae; 3 jnteriorcs ca 4 mm longae.
parum curvatae. baud tortae. Ovarium sessile
globosum, 1 mm latum. Stylus rectus, ca 5 mm
longus. Capsula 3 x 2.5 mm. Semina nigra, 1.5 x
1.0 mm.

Roots clustered, tuberous. Leaves radical
6-8, linear, flat, glabrous, 12-16 cm long, ca 1
mm wide, withering near flowering time. Scape
18-30 cm (all, terete, striate, hirsute near base.
Inflorescence a much branched pyramidical
panicle. Bracts at nodes small, ca 5 mm long.
Umbels borne at ends of final branches. Umbel.s
one-, rarely two-flowered. Bracts 2, cuneaie.
mucronate, 1.5 mm long. Pedicels 3-4 mm long,
articulate at the base, erect at both flowering
and fruiting. Perianth 9-10 mm long: outer
tepals lanceolate, 2 mm wide, with reflexed
mucrone, membranous-margined, markedly 3-
veined: inner tepals elliptical. 4-4.5 mm wide,
fringed, fringe ca 1 mm wide. Stamens 6:
anthers bilocular, dehiscing introrsely by slits
along the full length; three outer anthers ca
3.5 mm long, straight, not twisted; three inner
anthers ca 4 mm long, slightly curved, not
twisted. Ovary sessile, globose. 1 mm diameter:
style straight, ca 5 mm long. Capsule 3 x 2.5
mm. Seeds black, 1.5 x 1.0 mm.

Discussion: — see after 7. T. ramulosus.

Other specwiens: — Yandanooka, ca 60 miles
S.E. of Geraldton. Brittan 60/53, 26.viii.1960
(UWA) and Brittan 67/15, 29.ix.1967 (UWA; ca
11 miles W. of Three Springs towards Eneabba.
Brittan 64,03. 19.ix.l964 (UWA): 20 miles from
Geraldton towards Mullewa, Phillips 1584.
30. ix. 1962 (CBG 025134); Champion Bay.
Oldfield s.n.; s.d., (MEL); Champion Bay. Sewell
s.n., 1889 (MED; Mingenew District. Campbell
90. Oct. 1907 (K).

7. T. ramulosus N. H. Brittan sp. nov.

Holotypus: — Just N. of crossing of Murchison
River by N.W. Coastal Highway, ca 40 miles
N. of Northamoton. Brittan 68 09-1.
8.ix.l968 (UWA) (Fig. 8).

Isotypi: — Brittan 68/09-2 (K), 68/09-3 (MED.

Herba perennis. Caudex parvus, subterranevis. i in
solo) 5-18 cm profundus. raliquUs bractearum clrcum-
:inctus. Radices fasciculatae. tuberosae, circa 2 cm
longae, 4 mm lacae, breviter stipitatae. Bracteae
basaies, numerosae, lineares. apicibus obtusis. usque
ad 15 cm longae. 2-3 mm latae membi'anaceae. Caulis
smguians, giaoer. teres; bracteae 1-3. suoterraneae.
3-6 cm longae membranaceae, fere ad summum solum
attingenies. Caulis aerius aphyllus, teres, glaber ve!
hlrtus puis complanatis. sparsis, 1 mm longis. Nodi
aerii infimi 1-2 stcriles, bracteis deltoideis, apicibus
acuiis. circa 5-6 mm longis. berbaceis: nodi 3-5 ramts
dichotomis sterilibxis, glabris vel brevi-hirtls vel tuber-
culatis, ad 3 cm longis, bracteis 2,5-3 mm longis.
berbaceis vel dlluto-purpiireis. Rami bracteis palcuti-
bus. deltoideis. inflmls 4 mm longis. sursum breviscer.-
tibus berbaceis. Kami superlores slmilares. ad 6-8
cm longi, internodia quam internodla ramorum
mnmoiuiii longiora, umoellis terminati. Umbellae
solitariae. bracteis 2. recurvis, late-lanceolatls. aplce
mucronatis. circa 1 mm longis. berbaceis. Umbellae
1-, raro 2-florae. Pedicelli erecti. 3 mm longi. e basi
artlculati. Flores ut in genere. Tepala exteriora
linearia vel anguste-oblanceolata, lO-li mm longa.
aplce acuta, membranaceo-marginata. Tepala inleiiora
elliptlca, 5 mm lata. 3-nervata. fimbriis 1.5-2 mm longU

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3. December, 1971

85

I

Figure 7 . — Thysanotus pyramidalis N. H. Brittan — Holotype: Brittan 58/9-1 (UWA), x 0.5; flower x 3.0.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

86

fimbriala. Stamina 6; antherae erectae. basifixae. vix
curvatae, non tortae. ventraliter purpureae. clorsallter
hjteae. loctili basi brcviler cUvergentes. poris terminali-
bus dahiscentes. Antherae 3 exteriores 4.5 mm longae,
3 Interiores 5 mm longae; fUamenta 1 mm longa.
Ovarium sessile, cyliudricum. triloculare, utroque
loculo ovulis 2. Stj’lus terminalis, strictus. erectus.
5 inm longus. Capsula globosa. 3-4 mm dia. ab
perlanthio persistent! Inclusa. Semina angularia.
arillata. nigra, circa 1x1x1 mm.

Perennial herb. Rootstock small, enclosed by
remnants of previous years’ bracts, usually 5-18
cm below ground level. Roots clustered, tuber-
ous. ca 2 cm long, 0.4 cm broad, shortly stalked.
Bracts basal, several, membranous, linear, apex
obtuse, up to 15 cm tall. 2-3 mm wide. Stem
usually single, glabrous, terete, bearing under-
ground 1-3 membranous bracts, 3-6 cm long,
apices almost reaching ground level. Occasion-
ally an axillary branch grows from one of the
upper nodes. Stems above ground leafless,
terete, glabrous to hirsute w'ith scattered
flattened hairs up to 1 mrn long. Nodes above
ground: first 1-2 sterile, bracts herbaceous del-
toid, apex acute, ca 5-6 mm long Next 2-3
nodes with sterile dichotomous branches,
glabrous to .shortly hispidtuberculate, up to 3 cm
long, nodal bracts herbaceous to pale purplish,
2.5-3 mm long. Branch bracts patent, deltoid,
herbaceous, lower 4 mm long, decreasing above.
Upper branches similar. 6- ca 8 cm long, inter-
nodes longer, branches terminating in umbels.
Umbels solitary with two bracts, the bracts
herbaceous, ca 1 mm long, broadly lanceolate,
recurved, apex mucronate. Umbels 1-, occa-
sionally 2-flov;ered. Pedicels erect. 3 mm long,
articulate at the base. Flowers as in the genus.
Outer tepals linear to narrowly oblanceolate,
10-11 mm long, obsurely 3-veined, membranous-
margined, apex acute. Inner tepals elliptical, 5
mm wide, 3-veined, fimbriate, fimbriae 1.5-2
mm long. Stamens 6: anthers basiflxed, very
slightly curved, not twisted, erect, purple ven-
trally, yellow dorsally, lobes diverging slightly
at the base, dehiscing by terminal pore. Outer
anthers 4.5 mm long, inner 5 mm long. Fila-
ments 1 mm long. Ovary sessile, cylindrical,
trilocular, 2 ovules in each loculus; style ter-
minal. straight, erect. 5 mm long. Capsule
globular, ca 3-4 mm dia., enclosed in persistent
perianth. Seeds angular, arillate, black, ca
1x1x1 mm.

These two species are similar in the form of
the inflorescence. T. pyramidalis however is
larger and more branched. T. pyraynidalis pos-
sesses a separate inflorescence and a number of
erect marcescent leaves whereas in T. ramulosus
there are no leaves but the lower part of the
plant has a number of leaf-like dichotomous
branchlets. The outer tepals of T. pyrarnidalis
are markedly 3-veined. whereas those of
T. raimilosus are obscurely 3-veined. The
anthers of T. pyrarnidalis dehisce by slits the
full length of the loculi: in T, ra77iulosus de-
hiscence is by a terminal pore.

Other specimens: — Type locality. George
7899, 7.ix.l966 (PERTH); Mileura Station, ca
75 miles W. of Meekatharra, Brittan 70/4. 70 6
and 70/7 deg. McCovib and Mott, I7.viii.l970)
(UWA>.

S. T. sabalosus N. H. Brittan sp* nov
Hclotypus: — Sand plain 17 miles W. of New de-
gate on Newdegate-Lake Grace road. Brittan
60 136-1. 15-xii.l960 (UWA* (Fig. 9)

Isotypi : — Brittan 60 136-2 'K>, 60 136-3 (MEL*.
60 136-4 (PERTH). 60 136-5 tCANBL

Herba perennts. caudex complanato-cylindrious
circa 5 mm latus. Radices ftbrosac I'asciculatae sine
tuberibus. Folia basalla. luimerosa: extmia bractel-
formes membranacea 9*10 mm longa. basi 3-4 mm
lata; imima plus minusve teretia, 4-5 cm longa. 1
mm lata, basi membranacea-marginata. interjaceiitin
intermedia. Gaules mimerosi. aphylii. ramosi. aliquot
speciminibus plus minusve dlchotome-ramosl. teiet.es.
in sicco sulcatl. basin versus hirsuti, supra glabrescen-
tes. Bracteae anguste-deltoideae. apicibus obtusae.
infimae 10-11 mm longae. summae 2 mm longae.
tJmbellae terminales. 1 -3-florae, bracteae late-deltoideae.
1.5-2 mm longae. intimae membranaceae. Peciu-elU
erecti. 3-6 mm longi. prope medium articulatl. Flores ut
in genere. Tepala exteriora anguste-elUptica. angnste
membranaceo-marglnata. 10-12 mm longa. 1.5-2 mm
lata: tepala interiors lamlnis ovate-ellipticis. 6 mm

latis. fimbnis 3 mm longis fimbriata. Stamina 6:
antherae atropurpureae. basin versus flavidae
Antherae exteriores strictae. tortae. 4 mm longae;
antherae Interiores parum curvatae. tortae. 5 mm
longae; fllamenta 3 mm longa. Ovarium sessile,
globosum. triloculare, utroque loculo ovulis 2. Stylus
strictus. rectus. 5-6 mm longus. Capsula 3-4 mm
longa, ab perlanthio persistent! inclusa. Semina nigra.
1.5 X 1 X 1 mm.

Perennial herb, rootstock flattened-cylindrical
ca 5 mm dia.. bearing series of buds on upper
surface. Roots fibrous, no signs of tuberous ex-
pansion at distances up to 13 cm from the
stock. Leaves several, outermost bract-like,
membranous. 3-4 mm wide at base. 9-10 mm
long, innermost 4-5 cm long with a ± terete
blade 1 mm wide, with membranous wings at
base. A gradual transition betw'een these ex-
tremes occurs. Inflorescence of umbels ter-
minating the branches of a paniculate axis. The
lower branches often again branched, upper ones
simple. Scape terete, ridged when dry. densely
covered with short haii’s tow'ards base, becom-
ing glabrous above. Bracts subtending branches:
low'ermost 10-1 1 mm long, uppermost 2 mm.
narrow-triangular, apex obtuse. Umbels 1-3-
flowered, bracts 1.5-2 mm long, broadly triangu-
lar. innermost with dark vein and membranous
lamina. Pedicels 3-6 mm long, articulate at
middle, erect in fiow'er and fruit. Flowers as in
genus. Outer tepals 10-12 mm long. 1.5-2 mm
wade, narrow'ly elliptical with narrow mem-
branous margins: inner tepals wdth 3-veined
midrib, tapering to acute apex, expanded
lamina ovate-elliptical, ca 6 mm wide, surromided
by fringe 3 mm deep. Stamens 6; anthers dark
purple with variable amount of yellow’ towards
base. 3 outer anthers straight, twisted, 4 nun
long, inner anthers slightly curved, twisted. 5
mm long; filaments of both whorls 3 mm long.
Ovary globular trilocular, ovules 2 per loculus;
style straight, erect, 5-6 mm loiig. Capsule en-
closed within persistent perianth parts. 3-4 mm
long, dehiscing w'hile on plant. Seeds 1.5 x 1 x
1 mm. black, minutely tuberculate, aril yellow.

In general habit it recalls a new species from
New South Wales, T. virgatus N. H. Brittan
(Brittan 1971) although T. sabulosus appears
to be usually smaller and more spreading in
habit. It differs in the stems being not hairy

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Pari 3. December. 1971

87

-3 i r* rt. C«iT^s%»^

>i, ^ Vvj .

'•“»» 9 >.%^ (*!}-?>-«, <-<

b% _, 5^-. i

'& ;>£

Figure 8 . — Thysanotus ramulosus N. H. Brittan — Holotype: Brittan 68/09-1 (UWA), x 0.5: f.cwcr x 3.0.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December, 1971

83

i

jjm. K/. f?S*«»4^cA, L.^^ym^y^ -^,^, ■

-/ C ;<«

Figure 9 . — Thysanotus sabulosus N. H. Brittan — Holotype: Brittan 60/136-1 (UWA), x 0.5: flower x 2.0.

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December. 1971

89

throughout and in the absence of broad <3.5-5
mm wide) out?r Upals. prominently 7- (occa-
sionally 6-t veined on the outer sm’face.

Other specimen: — 3 miles E. of Lake Grace
township on Lake Grace to Newdegate road,
Brittan 60 137. 15.xii.l960 lUWA).

9. T. spcckii N. H. Brittan sp. nov.

Holottjpus: — 20 miles N.W. Belele Station, ca
30 miles W.N.W. of Meekatharra, Speck
635. 5.ix.l957 (CANB 81373).

Isctypus: — Speck 635 <AD 6001029).

Herba perennis. caudex parvus. Radices fasciculatae.
tuheresae. cylindricae. 2. 5 -3 .5 ram longae. Bracteae
radicales 1-2, apice acutae. 3-4 cm longae, membrana-
ceae. Folia radicalla, 1-4. supra llnearia, basin versus
membranaceo-marginata semi vaginantia, 12.5-25 cm
longa, in marglnes et raro supra nerves pih.s tuber-
culatis: interdum ante anthesln marcescentia. Inflores-
centia paniculate laxa. Umbellae terminales. 4-6 florae,
bracteae late-deltoideae. 2.5 mm longae, manifeste
nervatae membranaceae. Pedicelli 5-12 mm longl, pr....pe
medium articulati. florentes erecti. fructiferi nutautes.
Flores ut in genere. Tepala 6; 3 exteriora linearia vel
anguste-lanceolata. angtiste membranaceo-marginata,
5-12 mm longa, circa 2.5 mm lata; 3 interiora oblongo-
elliptica. 3.5-4 mm lata, flmbriis 1.5-2 mm longls
fimbriata. Stamina 6; antherae strictae, basiflxae, non
tortae. rimis introrsis dehiscentes: loculi basi breviter
dlvcrgentes. antherae 3 exteriores 4 mm longae, 3
iiuerlcres 5 mm longae: filamenta 1.5-2 mm longa.
Ovarium sessile, plusmlnusve globosum, utroque Icculo
ovulis 2. Stylus terminalis, curvatls, stamina aequans.
Capsula cylindrica, circa 5 mm longa. ab periantlilo
persistent! Inclusa. Semina nigra.

Nomlnavi hanc speciem in memoriam Nathaniel
Speck, qui speciraina prlma lectavit.

Perennial herb; rootstock small; roots tuber-
ous, cylindrical, 2. 5-3. 5 cm long, clustered close
to stock Leaves and inflorescence enclosed by
one or two membranous-edged bracts 3-4 cm
long with acute tips, sometimes coloured usu-
ally just above ground level. Leaves with
membranous-edged sheathing bases similar to
sheathing bracts, extending into it linear, flat
lamina, ca 12.5-25 cm long. Leaf margins with
tuberculate hairs, in some specimens also occur-
ing over veins on lamina; in some specimens
leaves marcescent before flowering. Inflores-
cence a loose panicle, frequently with additional
branches arising from axils of main branches.
Bracts on rachis 6-10 mm long, narrow-deltoid
with membranous wings near base, bracts on
rachillae similar but smaller. Umbels terminal,
ca 4-6-flowered, umbel bracts 2.5 mm long,
broad deltoid, membranous, with prominent
veins. Pedicels 5-12 mm long, articulate about
middle, erect in flower, nutant in fruit. Flowers
as in genus. Perianth segments 5-12 mm long;
outer tepals linear to narrow-lanceolate, ca 2.5
mm wide at base, narrow membranous-edged.
inner tepals oblong-elliptical, ca 3.5-4 mm wide
with fimbriae 1.2-2 mm long. Stamens 6;
anthei’s straight not twisted, dehiscing by slits
the full length of the anther, almost basiflxed.
loculi projecting as two lobes ca 0.5 mm beyond
filament: anthers of outer stamens 4 mm. of
inner stamens 5 mm long. Ovary sessile,
globular; style terminal, curved. ± as long as
anthers. Capsule cylindrical, ca 5 mm long,
enclosed within persistent perianth parts. Seeds
up to 6 per capsule, black with finely reticulate
testa.

Named in memory of the late Dr. Nathaniel
Speck, friend and former colleague, who made
the first collection.

Distinguished from almost all other Thysano-
tus species in its flowers with inner tepals oblong
in shape with very short fimbriae and the outer
tepals fully recurved in flower. Both these
characters recall the Eastern Australian species
r. haueri RBr., from which it differs in possess-
ing straight anthers all more or less equal in
length and not twisted, compared with T. baueri
which has twisted anthers, the two whorls of
three markedly dissimilar in length.

Other specUnens: — Bernier Island. Shark
Bay, Royce 6011, 23.vii. 1959 (PERTH); Car-

narvon Highway, W.N.W. of Woodleigh Station,
ca 110 miles S.S.E. of Carnarvon. Burbidge 6477.
2.ix.l959 (CANB 167717) (PERTH) (Fig. 10).
same locality Brittan 60/50. 23.viii.1960 (UWA)
(Fig. 10, flower): 22 miles E. of Gascoyne Junc-
tion. Lindgren, s.n., Sept. 1964 (PERTH):
Beringarra Station, ca 100 miles W.N.W. of
Meekatharra, McCovib s.n. 20.viii.l963 (UWA):
Mileura Station, ca 75 miles W. of Meekatharra.
Brittan 70/5, leg. McComb and Mott, 17.viii.l970
(UV/A) ; N. of Murchison River crossing on N.W.
Coastal Highway, ca 40 miles N. of Northampton,
Brittan 70/10. 25.viii.1970 (UWA): nr. Diemal
Find, ca 60 miles N. of Bullfinch. Brittan 70, 16,
leg. Beltran. Aug. 1970 'UWA*.

10. X. teretifolius N.H. Brittan sp. nov.
Holotypus: — Eneabba-Dongara road, ca 18 miles
N. of Eneabba, Brittan 68 17. 21.x. 1968
(UWA) (Fig. 11).

Paratypi: — Eneabba — Dongara road, ca 20 miles
S. of junction with Geraldton Highway.
Brittan 68/20. 21.X.1968 68/20-1 (K). 68/20-2
(MEL).

Herba perennis. Cauciex parvus. Radices flbresae
fasciculatae, baud tuberosae. Folia radicalia, alterna.
usque ad 10. linearia. teretia. slccitate ± striata accumt-
nata. 12-20 cm longa. 1-1.5 mm lata, basin versus vaginis
latis. membranaceo-marginatis. costatis. 5-8 mm latis
expansa vetuste, caules novl axlllls foliortxm veterum
exorientes. luflorescentia surculorum pierunujue
solitaria, 24-30 cm alta. Scapus teres, simplex. 1-2
bracteis sterilibus vel 1-2-ramosus. Bracteae deltoideae.
10-15 mm longae. herbaceae vel purpureas. Rami 1-2
spiels condensatis terminati. Bractea splcae exterior,
late-lanceolata, membranaceo-marginata. circa 6 mm
longa. herbacea vel purpurea. Bracteae splcae
interiores, lanceolatae. l-nervatae. acutae, 5-6 mm
longae. membranaceae. Pedicelli 11-12 mm longl. e
basi 4-5 mm articulati. florentes erecti. fructiferi
nutantes. Flores ut In genere. Tepala exteriora

anguste-lanceolata. anguste membranaceo-marginata.
mucronata. 11-12 mm longa, 2 mm lata. Tepala
Interiora elliptica. 6-7 mm lata, flmbriis ca 4 mm longis
fimbriata. Stamina 3. antherae declinatae, baslfixae.
purpureae. deltoideae. curvatae, parum tortae. loculi
basi breviter dlvergentes. poris terminalibus dehiscen-
tes: filamenta ca 1 mm longa. Ovarium sessile,
globcsum, triloculare, utroque loctilo ovuUs 2. Stylus
terminalis. cleclinatus. curvatus, ca 5-6 mm longis.
Capsula ab perianthio persistent! Inclusa. Semina
nigra, arillata.

Perennial herb. Rootstock small. Roots
clustered, fibrous, not tuberous. Leaves basal,
alternate, up to ca 10. linear, terete, it striate
on drying, acuminate. 12-20 cm long, 1-1.5
mm wide, expanding towards the base into
broad, membranous-margined ribbed bases. 5-8
mm wide. In older plants new shoots arise from

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3. December. 1971

90

Figure 10 —Thysanotus speckii N. H. Brittan— Paratype : Burbidge 6177 (PERTH), x 0,5; flower from

60/50 cult, (X ca 3.0).

Brittan

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vcl. 54 Part 3. December. 1971

91

f

if j \

Is

Figure 11. —Thysanotus teretifolius N. H. Brittan— Holo type : Brittan 6S/17 (UWA), x 0.5: flower from Brittan

67/21 (UWA) (X 1.8).

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 54 Part 3. December, 1971

92

the axils of the old leaf bases. Inflorescence
usually one per shoot, 24-30 cm tall. Scape
terete, simple, with 1-2 sterile bracts or once
to twice branched. Bracts herbaceous — purplish,
deltoid, 10-15 mm long. 1-2 condensed spikes
terminating the branches, enclosed by broad
lanceolate bract, membranous-margined, her-
baceous — purplish, ca 6 mm long. Bracts one
per flower, lanceolate, membranous, 1-veined,
acute, 5-6 mm long. Pedicels 11-12 mm long,
articulate 4-5 mm from base, erect in flower,
nutant in fruit . Flowers as in genus. Outer
tepals narrow-lanceolate, narrowly membranous-
margined, mucronate, 11-12 mm long, 2 mm
wide. Innertepals elliptical, 6-7 mm wide, fim-
briate, fimbriae ca 4 mm long. Stamens 3;
anthers purple, deltoid, basifixed with loculi
projecting at base, declinate, curved, slightly
twisted, dehiscing by terminal pore; filaments ca

1 mm long. Ovary sessile, ± globular, trilocular,

2 ovules per loculus. Style terminal, curved, de-
clinate, ca 5-6 mm long. Capsule enclosed with-
in persistent perianth segments. Seeds black,
arillate.

This species resembles some specimens of
T. multifiorus R.Br. with which it has in com-
mon terminal 'umbels’ (contracted spikes) of
flowers with three stamens. It differs in the
terete leaves and in the more frequent occur-
rence of branched scapes and in the pedicels
bending downward as the capsules develop.

Other specimen : — Badgingarra-Eneabba road,
ca half mile S. of Jurien Bay turn off, Brittan
67/21, 30.ix.l967 (UWA) (flower material only).

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to Mr. A. S, George,
Western Australian Herbarium, for drawing his
attention to his collection of T. ramulosus and
to his colleagues Dr. A, J. McComb and Mr.
J. J. Mott for further collections of this species.

The author is grateful to Dr. N. T. Burbidge,
Herbarium Australiense, C.S.I.R.O. Division of
Plant Industry, Canberra, for drawing his atten-
tion to her collection of T. Speckii and to his
colleagues Dr. A. J. McComb. Mr. J. J. Mott
and Mr. I. C. Beltran for further collections of
this species.

The author also wishes to thank Mr. A. S.
George for his assistance in checking the latin
descriptions.

The costs in connection with some of the
author’s collecting trips were defrayed by a
grant from the University of Western Australia
Research Grants Committee.

References

Baker, J. G. (1877).— J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 15 ; 253.
Bentham, G. (1861). — Flora Hongkongensls. Reeve,
London 372.

(1878). — Flora Australiensis 7 : 36. Reeve,

London.

Brittan, N. H. (1960). — J. Roy. Soc. W. Austral. 43 :
10-29.

(1971). — Contrit). N.S.W. Herb, (in press).

Brown, R. (1810). — Prodromus Florae Novae-Hollandiae :
282 Hafner. N. Y. (repr.).

Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 54 Part 3, December. 1971

93

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Journal

of the

Royal Society of Western Australia

Volume 54

1971

Part 3

Contents

9- — The genus Lerista (Lacertilia, Scincidae) in Western Australia. By G. M
Storr.

10.— New Western Australian species of Thysanotus R.Br. (Liliaceae)-2. By N.
H. Brittan.

Editor: A. J. McComb
Assistant Editor: N. G. Marchant

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