Oligosoma roimata
| Oligosoma roimata | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Oligosoma |
| Species: | O. roimata |
| Binomial name | |
| Oligosoma roimata Patterson, Hitchmough & Chapple, 2013 | |
Oligosoma roimata (Aorangi skink) is a species of skink.
Distribution
The species is endemic to the Poor Knights Islands, off the east coast of the Northland region, New Zealand. It is known to be present on the island of Aorangi.[1]
Sympatry
Closely related species, also present on Aorangi, include Oligosoma hardyi.
Relationships
The species is most closely related to Oligosoma ornatum, which is a variable species complex. Although morphological divergence is very minor, there is 8.7–9.8% sequence divergence (using the ND2 mitochondrial gene). O. roimata has been previously referred to informally as Cyclodina ornata ‘Poor Knights’, Cyclodina ornata ‘PKI’,[2] and Oligosoma ornatum ‘Poor Knights Islands’.[3]
Diagnosis
From Oligosoma ornatum, the species can be recognised by its white venter. The venter of O. ornatum is usually flushed with variable colour, but may sometimes be white or cream. The ear opening is slightly smaller than that of O. ornatum. The maximum snout-vent length (about 63 mm) is much less than that of O. ornatum (about 80–85 mm).
References
- ↑ Patterson, G.B.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Chapple, D.G. 2013: Taxonomic revision of the ornate skink (Oligosoma ornatum; Reptilia: Scincidae) species complex from northern New Zealand. Zootaxa, 3736(1): 54-68. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3736.1.2
- ↑ Chapple, D.G.; Daugherty, C.H.; Ritchie, P.A. 2008: Comparative phylogeography reveals pre-decline population structure of New Zealand Cyclodina (Reptilia: Scincidae) species. Biological journal of the Linnean Society, 95(2): 388-408. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01062.x
- ↑ Chapple, D.G.; Ritchie, P.A.; Daugherty, C.H. 2009: Origin, diversification, and systematics of the New Zealand skink fauna (Reptilia: Scincidae). Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 52(2): 470-487. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2009.03.021
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