 |
| Oligosoma aureocola Knox, Patterson & Chapple, 2023 |
Abstract
A species of diurnal skink from the Mataura Range and Mid Dome in central northern Southland, Aotearoa/New Zealand is described as Oligosoma aureocola sp. nov. It is a small species, coloured mid- to dark brown with smooth longitudinal stripes, and lives along rocky alpine ridges, low-stature shrublands, and tussock grasslands. This skink is a conspicuous species, easily sighted basking and foraging in talus or alpine plants such as golden spear grass (Aciphylla aurea).
Keywords: Reptilia, Oligosoma aureocola sp. nov., Mataura skink, Scincidae, Reptilializard, alpine, Southland, Murihiku, New Zealand
Oligosoma aureocola sp. nov.
Carey Knox, Geoff B. Patterson and David G. Chapple. 2023. Oligosoma aureocola sp. nov. (Reptilia: Scincidae) from the northern Southland high country of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Zootaxa. 5285(2); 271-292. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5285.2.3
