Nannoscincus rankini SADLIER, 1987
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Nannoscincus rankini
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| Higher Taxa | Scincidae, Eugongylinae (Eugongylini), Scincoidea, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Rankin's Elf Skink |
| Synonym | Nannoscincus rankini SADLIER 1987: 62 Nannoscincus rankini — ADLER, AUSTIN & DUDLEY 1995 Nannoscincus rankini — BAUER & SADLIER 2000 Nannoscincus rankini — SADLIER et al. 2014 |
| Distribution | New Caledonia (Mont Aoupinié, elevations > 900 m). Type locality: summit of Mt Aoupinié (1086 m elevation), New Caledonia, 21° 11’ S, 165° 16’ E. |
| Reproduction | oviparous (not imputed, fide Zimin et al. 2022) |
| Types | Holotype: AMS (AM) R77736, adult male |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Nannoscincus rankini can be distinguished from all other members of the genus by the following combination of characters: frontoparietals fused; loreal Single; left oviduct lost in females; lower eyelid with a semi-translucent window; ear opening minute; body scales with 3-4 fine, longitudinal, striations; adult body colour relatively uniform; ear opening positioned two scales posterior to lower secondary temporal; presacral vertebrae 29-30; phalangeal formula for pes 2.3.4.4.3 (Sadlier et al. 2002: 241). DESCRIPTION. Based on five specimens (four adults and one subadult). Measurements are given for four adults only. Scalation and osteology for all specimens unless otherwise stated. Measurements: maximum SVL 41 mm; distance from axilla to groin 61.0-63.5% of SVL ( Scalation: prefrontals present, very small and widely separated; supraciliaries 7 (50%) or 8 (40%), rarely 6; ear opening positioned two scales posterior to lower secondary temporal; body scales with 3-4 fine striations, midbody scale rows 22-24 ( Osteology: presacral vertebrae 29-30 ( Colouration: dorsal and lateral colour mid to dark brown with numerous small, scattered, pale spots on head, and faint dark markings along dorsolateral and vertebral axis. Dark dorsolateral markings poorly defined, extending from back of eye to level of hindlimbs, breaking up and becoming ill defined along tail. Ventral surface pale with scattered brown markings at ventrolateral edge, and irregular brown markings to throat. Subadult colouration (Single specimen) markedly two-toned, with a light dorsal and darker lateral surface. Dorsal surface mid brown with dark vertebral markings forming a faint but continuous line from nape to base of tail. Lateral surface dark brown, unmarked. Dorsal and lateral surfaces defined by a dark (notably darker than lateral colour) dorsolateral stripe (inflected over tympanic region) (Sadlier et al. 2002: 241). |
| Comment | Conservation: Rare. Distribution: see map in SADLIER et al. 2014: 54. |
| Etymology | Named for the late Peter Rankin, a friend of Ross Sadlier. Rankin died in January 1979 while collecting reptiles with Sadlier in New Caledonia. |
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