AI Article Synopsis
- A new species of skink, named Oligosoma carinacauda, has been identified from Okuru, South Westland, New Zealand, characterized by three supraocular scales and a unique keeled tail.
- The only known specimen was collected in 2000 from sphagnum moss in a coastal dune area, but subsequent searches by herpetologists have not found any more individuals.
- Given the threats to New Zealand lizards from habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change, there are significant worries about the survival of this newly identified skink.
Article Abstract
A small brown, longitudinally striped skink from Okuru, South Westland, New Zealand is described as Oligosoma carinacauda sp. nov. It is distinguished from all congeners by the combination of three supraocular scales and a keeled tail. The species is known only from a single specimen, collected from sphagnum moss within supralittoral dune habitat at Mussel Point, Okuru in 2000. Follow-up targeted surveys undertaken since by expert herpetologists have failed to relocate the species to date. As it is known that many New Zealand lizard species face a perilously uncertain future due to anthropogenic-induced pressures such as habitat loss, predatory pests, and climate change, there are serious concerns for the survival of this species.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5536.1.4 | DOI Listing |
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The Okuru skink (Oligosoma carinacauda sp. nov) of South Westland, New Zealand-simply elusive or extinct?
Zootaxa
November 2024
Honorary Research Associate; Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa; Wellington; New Zealand.
Article Synopsis
- A new species of skink, named Oligosoma carinacauda, has been identified from Okuru, South Westland, New Zealand, characterized by three supraocular scales and a unique keeled tail.
- The only known specimen was collected in 2000 from sphagnum moss in a coastal dune area, but subsequent searches by herpetologists have not found any more individuals.
- Given the threats to New Zealand lizards from habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change, there are significant worries about the survival of this newly identified skink.
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