Mokohinau skink

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Mokohinau skink
Hauraki Skink imported from iNaturalist photo 161453163 on 21 April 2022.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Oligosoma
Species:
O. townsi
Binomial name
Oligosoma townsi
(Chapple et al., 2008)
Oligosoma townsi - map.svg
Distribution of the Mokohinau skink on the North Island map
  Known native range
Synonyms [1]
  • Cyclodina townsi
    Chapple et al., 2008

The Mokohinau skink (Oligosoma townsi), also known commonly as Towns' skink and the Hauraki skink, [2] is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand.

Contents

Taxonomy and etymology

The species was first described as Cyclodina townsi by David G. Chapple, Geoff B. Patterson, Dianne M. Gleeson and Charles H. Daugherty in 2008, who identified the species as being phylogenetically and morphologicaly distinct from the marbled skink. [3] It was placed in its modern genus, Oligosoma, in 2009. [1] The specific name, townsi, is in honor of Kiwi herpetologist David Towns. [4]

Description

O. townsi reaches a maximum snout-vent length of up to 95 mm (3.7 in). It can be distinguished from other species due to the black-edged teardrop and alternating balack and white patterning on the species' lower jaw. [2]

Geographic range

In New Zealand O. townsi is found on offshore island in the eastern Northland Region and Auckland Region including Three Kings Islands, the Poor Knights Islands, Hen and Chicken Islands, Great Barrier Island, Little Barrier Island and the Mokohinau Islands. [5] [2]

Habitat

O. townsi occupies broadleaf forest and low scrub, usually found on boulder beaches covered in vines, leaf litter and scree. [2]

Reproduction and behaviour

O. townsi is viviparous [1] and is believed to be nocturnal. [2] The species primarily eats insects, and will occasionally consume fruit. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Species Oligosoma townsi at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 van Winkel, Dylan; Baling, Marleen; Hitchmough, Rod (2018). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand (1st ed.). Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 282–283. ISBN   978-1-86940-937-1. OL   40449345M. Wikidata   Q76013985.
  3. ↑ Chapple, David G.; Patterson, Geoff B.; Gleeson, Dianne M.; Daugherty, Charles H.; Ritchie, Peter A. (January 2008). "Taxonomic revision of the marbled skink (Cyclodina oliveri, Reptilia: Scincidae) species complex, with a description of a new species". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 35 (2): 129–146. doi:10.1080/03014220809510110. ISSN   0301-4223. Wikidata   Q54610602.
  4. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Cyclodina townsi, p. 267).
  5. ↑ Chapple, David G.; Ritchie, Peter A.; Daugherty, Charles H. (August 2009). "Origin, diversification, and systematics of the New Zealand skink fauna (Reptilia: Scincidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 52 (2): 470–487. doi:10.1016/J.YMPEV.2009.03.021. ISSN   1055-7903. PMID   19345273. Wikidata   Q29541236.
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