Oligosoma polychroma

Last updated

Common or northern grass skink
Oligosoma polychroma 49981635.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. polychroma
Binomial name
Oligosoma polychroma
(Patterson & Daugherty, 1990)
Oligosoma polychroma - map.svg
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]

Contents

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]

Related Research Articles

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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.

References

  1. "Northern grass skink," Department of Conservation. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  2. 1 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. 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.