Oligosoma taumakae

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Oligosoma taumakae
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Oligosoma
Species:
O. taumakae
Binomial name
Oligosoma taumakae
Chapple & Patterson, 2007

Oligosoma taumakae, the Open Bay Island(s) skink, or Taumaka skink, is a species of skink. It was described from the Open Bay Islands, off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Contents

This species is diagnosed on the basis of several morphological characteristics, and its specific status is supported by mitochondrial sequence data (ND2, ND4). The new species appears to be most closely related to Oligosoma acrinasum , Oligosoma infrapunctatum , Oligosoma otagense and Oligosoma waimatense . Predation by a flightless rail, the weka, which is native to New Zealand, but was introduced to the Open Bay Islands, is a major conservation concern. [2]

Until recently known only from the Open Bay Islands (both Taumaka and Popotai Islands), the species has subsequently been discovered on two apparently predator-free vegetated rock stacks located off the coast of Barn Bay, 52 km southwest of the Open Bay Islands. [3]

Physical characteristics

The maximum snout–vent length of this skink is 96 mm. [4] The tail is longer than the SVL. [5]

The colour of the back can be many shades of brown, though usually olive with dark-brown to black speckling on top. The sides are dark brown, with black and white speckling being bordered by grey markings. Their eyes are dark-brown. They have 5 scales just above the eye, forming an eyebrow shape. [5]

Conservation status

As of 2012 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the Oligosoma taumakae as Nationally Endangered under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Oligosoma</i> Genus of lizards

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-toed skink</span> Species of lizard

The long-toed skink is a species of skink of the family Scincidae, endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Geoff Patterson in 1997. It is only known from a few sites in the South Island of New Zealand and little is known of its habits. It seems to prefer dry, rocky habitats, usually eroding stream terraces or scree slopes. It is diurnal and heliothermic. Maximum snout-vent length is about 70 mm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scree skink</span> Species of lizard

The scree skink is a species of skink native to several sites throughout the South Island of New Zealand. A member of the family Scincidae, it was described by Geoff Patterson in 1997. It favours rocky habitats, particularly greywacke screes. Threats to scree skinks include predation by introduced mammals, weed encroachment, human interference and severe flood events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand skink</span> Species of lizard

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand striped skink</span> Species of lizard

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitaker's skink</span> Species of lizard

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small-scaled skink</span> Species of lizard

The small-scaled skink is a species of skink in the family Scincidae. The first specimen was captured in 1971 on Motutaiko Island, Lake Taupō but it is now known to be endemic to the central North Island of New Zealand in small population pockets. The holotype is in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ornate skink</span> Species of lizard

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barrier skink</span> Species of lizard

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyres skink</span> Species of lizard

The Eyres skink is a nationally vulnerable species of skink native to New Zealand. It is named in honour of the location of its habitat, the Eyre Mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cryptic skink</span> Species of lizard

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nevis skink</span> Species of lizard

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canterbury spotted skink</span> Species of lizard

Oligosoma lineoocellatum, commonly known as the Canterbury spotted skink, is one of a species complex of several related spotted skink species from New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown skink</span> Species of lizard

The brown skink is a species of skink native to New Zealand.

The cobble skink in the family Scincidae is a skink species endemic to New Zealand, found only on a single small stretch of stony beach at Granity, on the West Coast. In 2016 it was on the brink of extinction, with declining numbers and a threatened habitat, and all known individuals were captured and taken to Auckland Zoo.

The Westport skink is an undescribed species of lizard in the family Scincidae (skinks) known from just a single museum specimen, collected near Westport on the West Coast of New Zealand.

References

  1. Hitchmough, R.; Chapple, D.; van Winkel, D.; Lettink, M. (2019). "Oligosoma taumakae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T120190169A120192684. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T120190169A120192684.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Chapple, D.G.; Patterson, G.B. 2007: A new skink species (Oligosoma taumakae sp. nov.; Reptilia: Scincidae) from the Open Bay Islands, New Zealand. New Zealand journal of zoology, 34(4): 347-357. doi : 10.1080/03014220709510094 PDF
  3. Lettink, M.; Hopkins, G.; Wilson, R.l. (2013). "A significant range extension and sanctuary for the rare Open Bay Island skink (Oligosoma taumakae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 40 (2): 160–165. doi:10.1080/03014223.2012.707661. ISSN   0301-4223.
  4. 1 2 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.
  5. 1 2 Winkel, Dylan van; Baling, Marleen; Hitchmough, Rod (2018-01-01). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand. Auckland University Press. ISBN   978-1-86940-937-1.