The dark form of the Western Spiny-tailed Skink (Egernia stokesii badia) has remained enigmatic, with records from only a handful of locations in the mid-west region of Western Australia.  Fears for the skink grew when re-examination of previously known sites and other suitable habitat in 1998 uncovered only one individual (How et al., 2003). 

Egernia stokesii badia is listed as Endangered under the EPBC act. 

During 2008 and 2009 ecologia conducted searches for the skink during recent surveys of the Oakajee Port and Rail (OPR) proposed rail corridor from the Jack Hills and Weld Range mines to Geraldton. 

Following the discovery of a number of individuals, OPR commissioned ecologia to survey the whole rail corridor via helicopter and search all probable habitat.  The skink was found at more than 50 new locations, considerably increasing knowledge of the distribution and habits of the dark morph form. 

While the dark form is still classified as Egernia stokesii badia it differs from the nominate subspecies in appearance, behaviour, habit and distribution.  Further research into the taxonomic status of this form is, therefore, warranted.