This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2020) |
The Mokohinau skink (Oligosoma townsi), also known commonly as Towns' skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand.
| Mokohinau skink | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Oligosoma |
| Species: | O. townsi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oligosoma townsi (Chapple et al., 2008)
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Etymology edit
The specific name, townsi, is in honor of Kiwi herpetologist David Towns.[2]
Geographic range edit
In New Zealand O. townsi is found in the Northland area including Three Kings Islands, the Poor Knights Islands, and other offshore islands.[3]
Habitat edit
O. townsi occupies broadleaf forest and low scrub, usually amongst boulders and rock screes.[citation needed]
Reproduction and behaviour edit
O. townsi is viviparous[1] and is believed to be nocturnal.[citation needed]
Description edit
O. townsi reaches a maximum body size of about 87 millimetres (3.4 in) snout-vent length (SVL).[4]
References edit
- ^ a b Species Oligosoma townsi at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Cyclodina townsi, p. 267).
- ^ Chapple DG, Ritchie PA, Daugherty CH (2009). "Origin, diversification, and systematics of the New Zealand skink fauna (Reptilia: Scincidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 52 (2): 470–87. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2009.03.021. PMID 19345273. (Oligosoma townsi, new combination).
- ^ Chapple DG, Patterson GB, Gleeson DM, Daugherty CH, Ritchie PA (2008). "Taxonomic revision of the marbled skink (Cyclodina oliveri, Reptilia: Scincidae) species complex, with a description of a new species". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 35 (2): 129–146. doi:10.1080/03014220809510110. S2CID 83825602. (Cyclodina townsi, new species).
Further reading edit
- van Winkel D, Baling M, Hitchmough R (2019). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand: A Field Guide. Auckland: Auckland University Press. 376 pp. ISBN 978-1869409371.