Lost and Found: Taxonomic revision of the speckled skink (Oligosoma infrapunctatum; Reptilia; Scincidae) species complex from New Zealand reveals a potential cryptic extinction, resurrection of two species, and description of three new species

New Zealand has a diverse skink fauna, comprising 45 described native species, and at least 15 undescribed taxa, within the single genus Oligosoma Girard, 1857. One of the earliest described, and best known, species is the speckled skink, Oligosoma infrapunctatum (Boulenger 1887). Despite a relatively stable taxonomic history for nearly 114 years, recent molecular work has indicated that O. infrapunctatum represents a species complex, comprising numerous genetically divergent, range restricted taxa. We completed the first stage of a taxonomic revision of O. infrapunctatum, conducting a morphological re-evaluation of existing voucher material, and newly collected specimens, and generated a molecular phylogeny for the species complex. This allowed us to distinguish six species: O. infrapunctatum, two species resurrected from synonymy (O. newmani, O. robinsoni), and three new species (O. salmo sp. nov., O. albornense sp. nov. O. auroraensis sp. nov.). The name bearing type population of O. infrapunctatum has not been located again for at least 130 years: it remains to be rediscovered and may already be extinct. Two of the six species here are considered ‘Nationally Critical’ (O. albornense sp. nov., O. salmo sp. nov.) under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, the others are Nationally Vulnerable (O. auroraensis sp. nov.) and At Risk—Relict (O. newmani, O. robinsoni). Further taxonomic work will be required to determine the taxonomy of other speckled skink genetic lineages in the South Island, particularly O. aff. infrapunctatum “cobble”, O. “Hokitika”, O. “Southern North Island” and O. “Westport”.

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Phylogeography and taxonomic revision of the New Zealand cryptic skink (Oligosoma inconspicuum; Reptilia: Scincidae) species complex

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2782.1.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2782 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

DAVID G. CHAPPLE ◽

TRENT P. BELL ◽

STEPHANIE N. J. CHAPPLE ◽

KIMBERLY A. MILLER ◽

CHARLES H. DAUGHERTY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

Species Complex ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Mountainous Regions ◽

Three New Species

The New Zealand skink fauna is highly diverse and contains numerous cryptic, undescribed or hitherto undiscovered species. We completed a taxonomic revision of the cryptic skink (Oligosoma inconspicuum) species complex using molecular (550 bp of the ND2 mitochondrial gene) and morphological analyses. Four new species are described, with each diagnosable by a range of morphological characters and genetic differentiation from several closely related species: O. inconspicuum (sensu stricto), O. notosaurus, O. maccanni, O. stenotis and O. grande. Oligosoma tekakahu sp. nov. is restricted to Chalky Island in Fiordland, and is most closely related to O. inconspicuum and O. notosaurus. The other three new species are restricted to particular mountainous regions in central and western Otago (O. burganae sp. nov., Lammermoor and Rock and Pillar Ranges; O. toka sp. nov., Nevis Valley; O. repens sp. nov., Eyre Mountains) and are most closely related to O. stenotis and O. grande. We also re-described O. inconspicuum. Two proposed new taxa, the ‘Big Bay’ skink and ‘Mahogany’ skink, were found to represent Westland/Fiordland populations of O. inconspicuum rather than distinct taxa. We discuss the evolutionary and phylogeographic implications of cryptic and ‘anti-cryptic’ species within the O. inconspicuum species complex, and suggest that morphologically aberrant populations are the result of local adaptation to novel selective regimes.

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Erratum: MELZER, S., HITCHMOUGH, R.A., BELL, T., CHAPPLE, D.G. & PATTERSON, G.B. (2019) Lost and Found: Taxonomic revision of the speckled skink (Oligosoma infrapunctatum; Reptilia; Scincidae) species complex fromNew Zealand reveals a potential cryptic extinction, resurrection of two species, and description of three new species. Zootaxa 4623 (3): 441–484.

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4688.4.11 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4688 (4) ◽

pp. 599-600

Author(s):

S. MELZER ◽

R.A. HITCHMOUGH ◽

T. BELL ◽

D.G. CHAPPLE ◽

G.B. PATTERSON

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Species Complex ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Lost And Found ◽

Three New Species

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Species limits and taxonomic revision of the bracteate-prostrate group of southern hemisphere forget-me-nots (Myosotis, Boraginaceae), including description of three new species endemic to New Zealand

Australian Systematic Botany ◽

10.1071/sb17045 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 48 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Heidi M. Meudt ◽

Jessica M. Prebble

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

Southern Hemisphere ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Species Group ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Future Research ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Three New Species ◽

Species Descriptions

A taxonomic revision of southern hemisphere bracteate-prostrate forget-me-nots (Myosotis L., Boraginaceae) is presented here. The group comprises mostly species endemic to New Zealand plus the South American Myosotis antarctica Hook.f. (also Campbell Island) and M. albiflora Hook.f. The statistical analyses of morphological data from herbarium specimens reported here support recognition of five main subgroups on the basis of habit. Excluding the M. pygmaea Colenso species group (M. antarctica, M. brevis de Lange & Barkla, M. drucei (L.B.Moore) de Lange & Barkla, M. glauca (G.Simpson & J.S.Thomson) de Lange & Barkla, and M. pygmaea), which is being treated elsewhere, 14 species are recognised in the following four remaining subgroups: (1) creeping-species group: M. matthewsii L.B.Moore, M. chaffeyorum Lehnebach, M. spatulata G.Forst., M. tenericaulis Petrie, and M. albiflora; (2) cushion-species group: M. uniflora Hook.f., M. pulvinaris Hook.f., and M. glabrescens L.B.Moore; (3) M. cheesemanii + M. colensoi species group: M. cheesemanii Petrie and M. colensoi J.F.Macbr.; and (4) M. lyallii species group: M. lyallii Hook.f. and new species M. retrorsa Meudt, Prebble & Hindmarsh-Walls. New species Myosotis umbrosa Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen and M. bryonoma Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen do not fit comfortably within these subgroups. Myosotis elderi L.B.Moore is treated as M. lyallii subsp. elderi (L.B.Moore) Meudt & Prebble. For each of the 14 species revised here, a key to species, descriptions, phenology, distributions, maps, illustrations, specimens examined and notes are provided. Some specimens examined do not fit within these species and require additional comparative studies, including with certain ebracteate-erect species, before taxonomic decisions can be made. Future research on these and other southern hemisphere Myosotis should incorporate the morphological data presented here, with additional genetic, cytological, pollen, and other data in an integrative systematic framework.

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Allotanaupodidae, a new family of early derivative Parasitengona (Acari: Prostigmata)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1517.1.1 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1517 (1) ◽

pp. 1-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

ZHI-QIANG ZHANG ◽

QING-HAI FAN

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

Type Species ◽

Single Species ◽

New Genera ◽

Larval Stages ◽

New Family ◽

The Family ◽

Single Genus ◽

Three New Species

A new family of early derivative Parasitengona (Acari: Prostigmata), Allotanaupodidae fam. nov., is described from New Zealand based on adults and deutonymphs of two new genera and five new species and a new superfamily Allotanaupodoidea is erected to accommodate it. The new family is characterized by the absence of prodorsal trichobothria and sensory areas, the presence of one or two pairs of plates with multiple setae on C to PS rows of dorsal hysterosoma, the presence of only two pairs of genital acetabula in adults, and short, distally inserted palptarsus on the palptibia. The family consists of two subfamilies (Allotanaupodinae subfam. nov. and Paratanaupodinae subfam. nov.), with the former endemic to New Zealand. Allotanaupodinae subfam. nov. has a single genus, Allotanaupodus gen. nov., which is represented by three new species from New Zealand: Allotanaupodus williamsi sp. nov. (type species) from Kawau I., Auckland, Allotanaupodus orete sp. nov. from Orete Forest, Te Puia Hut and Allotanaupodus winksi sp. nov. from Mt. Messenger, Taranaki. The eyeless Paratanaupodinae subfam. nov. consists of two genera: Nanotanaupodus gen. nov. and Paratanaupodus Andre & Lelievre-Farjon, 1960. The type genus Paratanaupodus Andre & Lelievre-Farjon, 1960 was previously placed in the Tanaupodidae and is represented by a single species, Paratanaupodus insensus André & Lelievre-Farjon, 1960, from South America. Nanotanaupodus gen. nov. is represented by two new species from New Zealand: Nanotanaupodus andrei sp. nov. (type species) from Waituhi Saddle and Nanotanaupodus gracehallae sp. nov. from Orete Forest, Te Puia Hut. A key to superfamilies of terrestrial Parasitengona (post-larval stages) is provided, along with keys to subfamilies, genera and species of the new family.

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Taxonomic Revision of the New Zealand Copper Skink (Cyclodina aenea: Squamata: Scincidae) Species Complex, with Descriptions of Two New Species

Journal of Herpetology ◽

10.1670/07-110.1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 437-452 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

David G. Chapple ◽

Geoff B. Patterson ◽

Trent Bell ◽

Charles H. Daugherty

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

Species Complex ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Two New Species

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Hidden conservation vulnerability within a cryptic species complex: taxonomic revision of the spotted skink (Oligosoma lineoocellatum; Reptilia: Scincidae) from New Zealand

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4300.3.2 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4300 (3) ◽

pp. 355 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

SABINE MELZER ◽

TRENT BELL ◽

GEOFF B. PATTERSON

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Cryptic Species ◽

Species Complex ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

The South ◽

The North ◽

Northern Half ◽

Cryptic Species Complex ◽

Single Genus

The diverse skink fauna of New Zealand comprises 40 described species within the single genus Oligosoma Girard, 1857. Cryptic species are common among New Zealand skinks, leaving numerous species undescribed. We used molecular phylogeny together with morphological analyses to distinguish four species in the spotted skink, Oligosoma lineoocellatum (Duméril & Duméril 1851), species complex. These are O. lineoocellatum sensu stricto, which is confined to the centre of the South Island, O. prasinum sp. nov. from the Lake Tekapo region, O. elium sp. nov. from the northern half of the South Island, and O. kokowai sp. nov. from the northern South Island, Cook Strait, and the North Island. Despite significant genetic differences, the morphological similarity of these species made it challenging to resolve their taxonomic identity. Three of the four species previously recognised as a single, widespread taxon are now recognised as threatened with extinction by a combination of invasive predatory mammals and land use change.

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A new species of scincid lizard in the genus Oligosoma (Reptilia: Scincidae) from the mid-Canterbury high country, New Zealand

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4377.2.7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4377 (2) ◽

pp. 269

Author(s):

TONY WHITAKER ◽

DAVID G. CHAPPLE ◽

RODNEY A. HITCHMOUGH ◽

MARIEKE LETTINK ◽

GEOFF B. PATTERSON

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

Species Complex ◽

Temperate Region ◽

Mountain Ranges ◽

Major Threat ◽

Cool Temperate ◽

Tussock Grassland ◽

Single Genus ◽

A New Species

New Zealand has a diverse, endemic skink fauna, which is recognised as the most species rich skink assemblage of any cool temperate region on earth. All native New Zealand skink species are assigned to a single genus, Oligosoma Girard. A new species of Oligosoma is described from screes in montane tussock grassland in the mid-Canterbury high country, New Zealand, where it is currently known from four sites on two mountain ranges. The new species (Oligosoma hoparatea sp. nov.) can be distinguished from all congeners by a combination of mid-body scale row and lamellae counts, scale morphologies, and a bold striped pattern with smooth-edged, dark lateral bands. It is part of the O. longipes Patterson species complex, and occurs in sympatry with its closest relative, O. aff. longipes ‘southern’. The species is currently highly threatened, and is listed as Nationally Critical in New Zealand. Predation by a suite of introduced mammals is assumed to be a major threat to its survival.

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Studies of Ptiliidae (Coleoptera) in the Spirit Collection of the Natural History Museum, London 2: New species and records from P. Hammond's visit to New Zealand in 1983–84

The Entomologist s monthly magazine ◽

10.31184/m00138908.1543.3924 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 154 (3) ◽

pp. 179-196

Author(s):

Michael Darby

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

Natural History ◽

Natural History Museum ◽

History Museum ◽

The North ◽

Three New Species ◽

North And South

Some 2,000 Ptiliidae collected in the North and South Islands of New Zealand in 1983/1984 by Peter Hammond of the Natural History Museum, London, are determined to 34 species, four of which are new to the country. As there are very few previous records, most from the Auckland district of North Island, the Hammond collection provides much new distributional data. The three new species: Nellosana insperatus sp. n., Notoptenidium flavum sp. n., and Notoptenidium johnsoni sp. n., are described and figured; the genus Ptiliodes is moved from Acrotrichinae to Ptiliinae, and Ptenidium formicetorum Kraatz recorded as a new introduction. Information is provided to aid separation of the new species from those previously recorded.

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