2007/01/01 by David G. Chapple, G. B. Patterson · 5 citations
Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Amphibian and Reptile Biology #Genetic diversity and population structure #Ichthyology and Marine Biology
paper · doi:10.1080/03014220709510094
openalex publication_date 2007/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
Abstract We describe a new skink species ( Oligosoma taumakae sp. nov.) from the Open Bay Islands, New Zealand. 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 O. acrinasum, O. infra‐punctatum, O. otagense and O. waimatense . The new taxon appears to be rare and endemic to the island of Taumaka in the Open Bay Islands (off the west coast of the South Island). Predation by a flightless rail (weka, Gallirallus australis ), native to New Zealand but introduced to the Open Bay Islands, is a major conservation concern.