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)
Synonyms [1]
  • Cyclodina townsi
    Chapple et al., 2008
  • Oligosoma townsi
    — Chapple et al., 2009

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

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, townsi, is in honor of Kiwi herpetologist David Towns. [2]

Geographic range

In New Zealand O. townsi is found in the Northland area including Three Kings Islands, the Poor Knights Islands, and other offshore islands. [3]

Habitat

O. townsi occupies broadleaf forest and low scrub, usually amongst boulders and rock screes.[ citation needed ]

Reproduction and behaviour

O. townsi is viviparous [1] and is believed to be nocturnal.[ citation needed ]

Description

O. townsi reaches a maximum body size of about 87 millimetres (3.4 in) snout-vent length (SVL). [4]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 Species Oligosoma townsi at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  2. 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).
  3. Chapple DG, Ritchie PA, Daugherty CH (2009). "Origin, diversification, and systematics of the New Zealand skink fauna (Reptilia: Scincidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 52 (2): 470–87. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2009.03.021. PMID   19345273. (Oligosoma townsi, new combination).
  4. Chapple DG, Patterson GB, Gleeson DM, Daugherty CH, Ritchie PA (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 . S2CID   83825602. (Cyclodina townsi, new species).

Further reading