Oligosoma hoparatea WHITAKER, CHAPPLE, HITCHMOUGH, LETTINK & PATTERSON, 2018
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Oligosoma hoparatea?
Oligosoma hoparatea
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| Higher Taxa | Scincidae, Eugongylinae (Eugongylini), Scincoidea, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: White-bellied Skink, Pukuma skink |
| Synonym | Oligosoma hoparatea WHITAKER, CHAPPLE, HITCHMOUGH, LETTINK & PATTERSON 2018 Oligosoma aff. longipes "Rangitata” — HITCHMOUGH et al. 2007 |
| Distribution | New Zealand (Mt Harper) Type locality: Mt Harper, Harper Range, Rangitata River, Canterbury, New Zealand; 43° 38' 16.5"S, 171° 03' 50.1"E; 1050 m elevation. |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype: NMNZ RE008536 (adult female); collected A.H. Whitaker, 26 February 2004. Paratypes (2 specimens). NMNZ RE008537; adult male/female; same collection data as holotype. NMNZ RE008538 (sub-adult); same locality data as holotype; collected T.R. Jewell, 8 October 2007. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Oligosoma hoparatea sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Oligosoma species by the following combination of characters: (a) interrupted subocular scale row; (b) mid-body scale rows >38; (c) fourth toe lamellae >25; (d) a body colouration consisting of prominent brown longitudinal stripes; (e) uniformly white ventral surface; and (f) white lateral stripe passing through the ear. It is most similar to Oligosoma longipes, which is its closest relative (Chapple et al. 2009) and with which it occurs syntopically (Chapple and Hitchmough 2016). These two species can be further distinguished by: (a) the presence of a darker mid-dorsal stripe in most O. hoparatea sp. nov. versus usually absent in O. longipes, (b) the dorsal surface without flecks or blotches in O. hoparatea sp. nov. versus well marked with darker flecks in O. longipes, (c) lateral stripes and bands smooth edged in O. hoparatea sp. nov. versus notched in O. longipes, (d) always two or more nuchal scales in O. hoparatea sp. nov. compared with usually one or fewer in O. longipes; (e) ventral surface uniformly white or cream in O. hoparatea sp. nov. versus white or greyish, often with some dark flecking in O. longipes, (f) series of enlarged scales on top of the front foot in line with the toes in O. hoparatea sp. nov. versus scales of diminishing size in O. longipes, and (g) enlarged precloacal scales wider than deep in O. hoparatea sp. nov. versus enlarged precloacal scales much deeper than wide in O. longipes. |
| Comment | Note: the three type specimens are the only specimens currently known in research collections. Other live specimens were examined by the late AHW in the field. |
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