Oligosoma roimata

The Aorangi skink (Oligosoma roimata) is a species of lizards in the skink family. The species is native to New Zealand.

Oligosoma roimata

Range Restricted (NZ TCS)[1]
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

Distribution

In New Zealand O. roimata is endemic to the Poor Knights Islands, off the east coast of the Northland region. It is known to be present on the island of Aorangi.[2]

Closely related species also present on Aorangi Island include Oligosoma hardyi.

Relationships

O. roimata 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",[3] and Oligosoma ornatum "Poor Knights Islands".[4]

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 (SVL) of about 63 millimetres (2.5 in) is much less than that of O. ornatum which is about 80–85 millimetres (3.1–3.3 in).

References
  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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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