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| Liopholis aputja Farquhar, Mulder, Russell, Haines & Chapple, in Farquhar, Mulder, Russell, Haines, Anangu Rangers et Chapple, 2024. |
Abstract
A new species of rock skink Liopholis Fitzinger 1843 (Scincidae) is described from the Mann-Musgrave Ranges of north-western South Australia. Liopholis margaretae sensu lato (Storr 1968) is currently known to occur in two disjunct populations: the MacDonnell Ranges bioregion and nearby regions in the Northern Territory, and the Central Ranges bioregion in South Australia. Based on morphological examination of both museum and field specimens, as well as on newly generated molecular data, we show that specimens from these two ranges constitute distinct species. The new species, Liopholis aputja sp. nov. is endemic to a specific geological landform (Mann-Musgrave Ranges) within the Central Ranges bioregion, and is estimated to have diverged from the MacDonnell Ranges population during widespread aridification of the Miocene. Liopholis aputja sp. nov. is distinguished from congeners by a combination of its moderately large size (SVL up to 135 mm), relatively pointed snout, smooth dorsal scales, black and calloused subdigital lamellae and soles of feet, and possessing usually six supraciliary scales and usually four enlarged ear lobules. This new species adds to the list of endemic herpetofauna recognised in the Central Ranges bioregion.
Reptilia, Australian Arid Zone, Central ranges bioregion, Liopholis aputja sp. nov., Liopholis margaretae, lizard, mitochondrial DNA, phylogenetic analysis, skink, species
Liopholis aputja Farquhar, Mulder, Russell, Haines & Chapple sp. nov.
Etymology. Aputja is a word from the Pitjantjatjara/yankunytjatjara language spoken by First Nations peoples where this lizard species is found in APY (Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Lands of north-western South Australia. Aputja means ‘of the hills’, in reference to this species occurring in the hills and gorges of the Mann-Musgrave ranges, unlike other Liopholis spp. of the region which occur on sandplains. the specific epithet is constructed as a noun in apposition. In arriving at this name, we spoke to rangers, traditional owners and knowledge holders across the APy lands; in Pukatja, Fregon, Mimili/Amaroona, Indulkana, Amata and Pipalyatjara. responses to asking for the name of the new Liopholis species varied. however, particular clarity in narrowing the name down to Aputja was provided by the following traditional owners: Allan Wilson (Indulkana/Pukatja), Johnny Roberts (Fregon), Winmati Roberts (Fregon/umuwa), Manyiritjanu Lennon (Pukatja), and Hughie Cullinan (Mimili/Amaroona). The common name Central ranges rock Skink is chosen because L. aputja sp. nov. is endemic to the Central ranges bioregion (Thackway & Cresswell 1995). We chose the words ‘rock skink’ for clarity and consistency, given that most other saxicoline members of the Liopholis genus are commonly referred to as rock skinks (Australian Society of herpetologists 2023).
Jules E. Farquhar, Jordan A. Mulder, Wyn Russell, Margaret L. Haines, Anangu Rangers and David G. Chapple. 2024. A New Species of Rock Skink (Scincidae: Liopholis) from the Central Ranges Bioregion of Arid Australia. Zootaxa. 5536(1); 153-177. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5536.1.6