Prairie skink (Eumeces septentrionalis) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 9

Special Significance of the Species

The Prairie Skink is the only lizard that occurs in Manitoba and therefore is a unique member of the fauna of this province. It is also the only Canadian reptile unique to Manitoba. The skink’s complete association with the mixed grass prairie sandhill ecosystems of southwestern Manitoba makes it an indicator of this rare landform. The disjunct Prairie Skink populations of Manitoba probably became isolated from the continuous range of the species to the south some time after the end of the Hypsithermal approximately 4000 years ago. Canadian populations may be genetically distinct from populations to the south. Genetic studies are currently underway (G. Fuerst, pers. comm., 2003).

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