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| Papuascincus eldorado Slavenko, Richards, Donnellan, Allison & Oliver, 2024 |
Abstract
Skinks are the most diverse component of the reptile fauna in the mountains of New Guinea and many seemingly specialised high-elevation species remain undescribed. Here we describe two spectacular new gold-patterned skinks in the montane-specialist genus Papuascincus. Both species can be diagnosed from all congeners by their distinctive colouration, in addition to aspects of scalation and body size. One new species [Papuascincus eldorado sp. nov.] is mainly recorded from lower montane forest in karst habitats spanning more than five hundred kilometres along the southern edge of New Guinea’s Central Cordillera and is likely to warrant an IUCN conservation status of Least Concern. The second new species [Papuascincus borealis sp. nov.] has thus far only been recorded from cloud forest on the summit of Mt. Menawa in the North Coastal Ranges and we suggest it should be considered Data Deficient. However, if further survey work confirms a restricted distribution with little scope for upslope elevational retreat under future warming climates it will likely qualify for Endangered or Critically Endangered status.
Keywords: Central Cordillera, elevational endemism, karst, montane forest, North Coastal Mountains, Palaia
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| Photos in life of Papuascincus eldorado sp. nov.: A holotype (QM J97880) from P’nyang, Western Province; B paratype (BPBM 21669) from Aseki, Morobe Province; C paratype (SAMA R.71758) from Benaria, Hela Province; D paratype (SAMA R.57046) from Gobe, Southern Highlands Province; E–F uncollected specimen from Moran, Hela Province. Image A by Paul M. Oliver, image B by Allen Allison, images C and D by Stephen J. Richards, images E and F by Mark O’Shea. |
Papuascincus eldorado sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A species of Papuascincus characterised by the unique combination of small size (maximum adult SVL 48.6 mm); 2–3 small rounded lobules on anterior edge of ear opening; supralabials seven; scale rows at midbody 24–28; postsuboculars typically two; paravertebral scales 43–50; lamellae under 4th toe 22–29; single supradigital scales on 4th toe 11–14; and dorsal colour pattern on body consisting of three greenish-gold dorsal stripes on a glossy black background; tail gold with scattered black flecks; limbs black with gold flecking.
Etymology: From the Spanish noun phrase meaning “the golden”, in reference to the species’ distinct golden colouration.
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| Photos in life of Papuascincus borealis sp. nov.: A holotype (BPBM 23059); B paratype (BPBM 23061); C paratype (BPBM 23016), all from Mt. Menawa, Sandaun (Sepik) Province. Images by Allen Allison. |
Papuascincus borealis sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A species of Papuascincus characterised by the unique combination of large size (maximum adult SVL 58.2 mm); 2–3 small rounded lobules on anterior edge of ear opening; postsuboculars typically three; scale rows at midbody 26–28; paravertebral scales 46–47; lamellae under 4th toe 20–25; single supradigital scales on 4th toe 14–15; dorsal colour pattern on body consisting of three yellow-gold dorsal stripes on a black background; tail gold with diffuse black speckling not extending more than 10 mm along tail; limbs black with gold flecking.
Etymology: Masculine Latin adjective meaning “northern”, in reference to the species’ distribution on the Bewani Mountains, the most northerly location of any known species of Papuascincus.
Alex Slavenko, Stephen J. Richards, Stephen C. Donnellan, Allen Allison and Paul M. Oliver. 2024. Gold in the Mountains: Striking New Species of Papuascincus (Sphenomorphini: Scincidae) from New Guinea. Vertebrate Zoology. 74: 133-149. DOI: 10.3897/vz.74.e112782
