Mokohinau skink
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.
| Mokohinau skink | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| 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] | |
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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.
Reproduction and behaviour
O. townsi is viviparous[1] and is believed to be nocturnal.
Description
O. townsi reaches a maximum body size of about 87 millimetres (3.4 in) snout-vent length (SVL).[4]
References
- Species Oligosoma townsi at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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
- van Winkel D, Baling M, Hitchmough R (2019). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand: A Field Guide. Auckland: Auckland University Press. 376 pp. ISBN 978-1869409371.
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