Oligosoma taumakae
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.
| Oligosoma taumakae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Oligosoma |
| Species: | O. taumakae |
| Binomial name | |
| Oligosoma taumakae Chapple & Patterson, 2007 | |
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]
References
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
