| Copper skink | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Oligosoma |
| Species: | O. aeneum |
| Binomial name | |
| Oligosoma aeneum (Girard 1857) | |
 | |
| Distribution of the copper skink in the North Island Known native range | |
| Synonyms | |
The copper skink (Oligosoma aeneum) is a skink of the family Scincidae that is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand.
The number of skink species endemic to New Zealand is not yet known, as advancing molecular studies indicate genetic divergence amongst many groups previously considered a single species. [3] At present, there is estimated to be between 50 and 60 species, all of the family Scincidae. [4] Following a taxonomic revision of the species complex in 2008, the copper skink was assigned the scientific name of Cyclodina aenea, and found to be both genetically and morphologically diverged from two other skink species that were previously considered synonymic. [5]
The initial arrival of the copper skink (and indeed any other skink species) to New Zealand is somewhat uncertain, and is a topic of considerable debate. The level of genetic diversity between the copper skink and other indigenous species suggests strongly that they and their ancestors have been a part of New Zealand's fauna for millions of years, [3] allowing time for many early species to diverge and become distinct from each other. One 2009 study by Chapple, Ritchie and Daugherty, investigating “the origin and diversification” of New Zealand's skinks, produced a molecular phylogeny by analysing genetic sequences of all but one living species. It suggested that all indigenous New Zealand skinks form a monophyletic group with a single ancestor, and that they initially arrived during the early Miocene era, by clinging to floating debris from New Caledonia. [1] From this early colonisation they underwent adaptive radiation to fill a variety of ecological niches, spreading across New Zealand to form the numerous species known today.
The species was first described by Charles Frédéric Girard in 1857, under the name Cyclodina aenea. [6] The species was placed into various genera, receiving names including Lygosoma aeneum and Leiolopisma aeneum, and was moved to the genus Oligosoma in 2009. [2]
Both the species epithet, aeneum and the common name refer to the copper or bronze colouring of the species. [7]
The copper skink is New Zealand's smallest indigenous skink, with a mature snout–vent length of no more than 76 mm (3.0 in). [7] Like most skinks, it has smooth skin covering a long body, with relatively short legs. The tail makes up a considerable proportion of the body length, and tapers to a point. The skink is capable of shedding its tail to distract predators when threatened, before regenerating a new one – a process known as caudal autotomy. [8] Copper skinks have small heads with round, lidded eyes, which they are capable of blinking.
The species can be differentiated from the invasive rainbow skink ( Lampropholis delicata ) as the copper skink has divided scales on its head separated along the midline, as well as alternating black and white markings on its lower jaw. [7]
The copper skink occupies a range of habitats, from forested areas to urban gardens, sand dune ecosystems, and farm land. [7] Like many skinks, it has a largely carnivorous diet and feeds mostly on small insects and other invertebrates. [9] Copper skinks are viviparous, and mate in spring before giving birth to between 3-7 relatively large offspring in late summer. [10] [11]
The species is primarily active during the daytime, and occasionally in twilight. [7]
The skink is found across the North Island of New Zealand, but is absent from much of the Hawkes Bay area. In addition, the species can be found on many islands off the coast of the North Island, including Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island. [7]
Despite the dramatic alteration of New Zealand's landscape by humans, the copper skink has adapted relatively well to urbanisation of its environment. In 2012 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the copper skink as Not Threatened under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [12] It is a common sight in many Auckland gardens, due to its ability to thrive in a range of microhabitats. [9] In the early 1980s (when this species had unprotected status) about a dozen adult Copper Skinks were captured in a park near Tauranga and released in the Lynmore suburb of Rotorua where there was no natural population. Despite a large domestic cat population the descendants of these relocated Copper Skinks are still present with juveniles regularly found at the original release site (most recent obs July 2020). [13] [14] This demonstrates that relocations of this species into urban gardens can be successful. However, introduced mammalian predators such as cats, rodents and hedgehogs have proven to reduce their population numbers in many regions. [15] [16] [17]
In addition to the threat of mammalian predators, there are concerns that the competition for resources between the copper skink and the introduced rainbow skink ( Lampropholis delicata ) may present a further threat to copper skink populations. [18] A prolific breeder, the rainbow skink occupies a very similar niche to the copper skink in terms of habitat and diet, indicating a significant competition between the species. Despite the concern, there has been relatively little research conducted into the potential effects of rainbow skinks in New Zealand. One 2004 study did compare the condition of captive copper and rainbow skinks housed together with those housed separately, and did not find significant difference between the two. [9] However, due to the high overlap of the species’ resource requirements, the rainbow skink is still considered by many to be a potential threat to copper skink populations.
Oligosoma is a genus of small to medium-sized skinks found only in New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. Oligosoma had previously been found to belong to the Eugongylus group of genera in the subfamily Lygosominae; the Australian genus Bassiana appears to be fairly closely related.
Lampropholis delicata, the delicate skink, dark-flecked garden sun skink, garden skink, delicate garden skink, rainbow skink or plague skink, or the metallic skink is native to Australia and invasive in New Zealand and Hawaii where it is commonly found in gardens. The species is known for their color dimorphism between males and females; striped morphs and non-striped morphs exist in this species, however the stripe is less pronounced in males. This species' diet consists of a wide range of prey, such as spiders, bees, larvae, and termites. Mating occurs in the late summer and generally one clutch of 2 to 4 eggs are laid per year by each female.
The New Zealand striped skink is a rare species of medium-sized skink endemic to New Zealand. Found in the North Island, Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island, the species is primarily arboreal, living in dense native tree canopies.
McGregor's skink is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand.
The marbled skink is a species of skink in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand.
Whitaker's skink, also known commonly as Whitaker's New Zealand skink, is an endangered species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is found only in New Zealand.
Falla's skink, also known commonly as the Three Kings skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to New Zealand.
The chevron skink is a large species of skink that is endemic to New Zealand. Previously found across Northland and the northern Auckland Region, it is now found only on the Great Barrier and Little Barrier islands in the Hauraki Gulf. A cryptic forest dweller, it can hide underwater. The chevron skink is the longest species of skink in New Zealand, reaching lengths of up to 340 mm (13 in). It is under threat from introduced rats.
Oligosoma infrapunctatum, the speckled skink, is a species of skink in the family Scincidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Oligosoma suteri, known commonly as Suter's skink, the black shore skink, the egg-laying skink, and Suter's ground skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand, found in fragmented populations on the mainland of the Coromandel Peninsula as far south as the Coromandel Peninsula, and on offshore northern islands of New Zealand.
Hardy's skink is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Poor Knights Islands of New Zealand.
The slight skink is a skink of the family Scincidae, endemic to the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. The precise distribution is unknown; currently it is only known from localities in the Te Paki region of Northland. It closely resembles the copper skink, Oligosoma aeneum, and was considered to be a member of this species until recently when it was described as a new species using morphological, allozyme and DNA methods. O. levidensum is difficult to distinguish morphologically from O. aeneum, which is probably why it had not been recognised until recently. The main distinguishing feature is the slighter overall body form of O. levidensum compared to O. aeneum. The limbs of O. levidensum are reduced compared to O. aeneum and O. hardyi, the other members of the O. aeneum complex.
The ornate skink is a rare species of skink endemic to New Zealand. Once widespread across the North Island, habitat destruction and predation by introduced species has now reduced their range to scattered localities throughout the North Island and offshore islands.
The moko skink is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae (skinks) that is endemic to New Zealand.
The Mokohinau skink, also known commonly as Towns' skink and the Hauraki skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand.
The Aorangi skink is a species of lizards in the skink family. The species is native to New Zealand.
Oligosoma lineoocellatum, commonly known as the Canterbury spotted skink, is one of a species complex of several related spotted skink species from New Zealand.
The Hokitika skink is a poorly-known and critically endangered species of lizard in the family Scincidae (skinks) found only in the Hokitika area on the West Coast of New Zealand.
The Chesterfield or Kapitia skink is a species of skink found in New Zealand. Only discovered in 1994 and for years not recognised as a distinct species, it is endemic to a narrow 1 km strip of coastal vegetation on the West Coast of New Zealand, 15 km north of Hokitika. There are fewer than 200 individuals remaining in the wild. Oligosoma salmo is the only New Zealand skink with a prehensile tail, suggesting it was once arboreal and inhabited coastal forest, which was subsequently cleared for dairy farming. Following the partial destruction of its remaining habitat in 2018 by a cyclone, a small captive breeding population was established at Auckland Zoo.
The tātahi skink is an undescribed skink species endemic to New Zealand in the family Scincidae, found on the western coast of the Northland Peninsula and Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands in New Zealand. Thought to be the same species as Oligosoma smithi of the east coast, the Tātahi skink was identified as being genetically distinct in 2008.
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