Oligosoma polychroma

Common or northern grass skink
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Scincidae
Genus:	Oligosoma
Species:	O. polychroma
Binomial name
Oligosoma polychroma (Patterson & Daugherty, 1990)
Distribution of Oligosoma polychroma in New Zealand   Known native range
Synonyms
Leiolopisma nigriplanatre polychroma(Patterson & Dougherty ,1990) Oligosoma nigriplantare polychroma(Patterson & Dougherty ,1995)

The common skink (Oligosoma polychroma), also known as the northern grass skink, ^[1] is a species of skink native to New Zealand. Although historically classified as a subspecies of Oligosoma nigriplantare , it is likely to be given separate species status as data suggests it is a distinct species. ^{[2] [3]}

Distribution

The common skink is widespread in New Zealand from Stewart Island to the middle of North Island. ^[2]

Conservation status

In 2012 the Department of Conservation classified the common skink as Not Threatened under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. ^[4]

References

1. "Northern grass skink," Department of Conservation. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
2. "Oligosoma polychroma". Department of Conservation Atlas. Government of New Zealand. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
3. "Oligosoma polychroma Common skink". Landcare Research NZ Lizards Database. Landcare Research. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
4. Hitchmough, Rod; Anderson, Peter; Barr, Ben; Monks, Jo; Lettink, Marieke; Reardon, James; Tocher, Mandy; Whitaker, Tony. "Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2012" (PDF). Department of Conservation. The Government of New Zealand. Retrieved 18 July 2015.

External links

• Media related to Oligosoma polychroma at Wikimedia Commons
• Image of the holotype specimen of the common skink held at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa