The scree skink (Oligosoma waimatense) is a species of skink native to several sites throughout the South Island of New Zealand. A member of the family Scincidae, it was described by Geoff Patterson in 1997.[2] It favours rocky habitats, particularly greywacke screes. Threats to scree skinks include predation by introduced mammals, weed encroachment, human interference and (for stream bed populations) severe flood events.[3]

Scree skink
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Oligosoma
Species:
O. waimatense
Binomial name
Oligosoma waimatense
(McCann, 1955)

Conservation status

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As of 2012 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the scree skink as Nationally Vulnerable under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Lettink, M., Hitchmough, R., van Winkel, D. & Chapple, D. 2019. Oligosoma waimatense. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T15265A120191303. Downloaded on 19 July 2019.
  2. ^ Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 27, Number 4 pp 439 - 450
  3. ^ Lettink, Marieke; Monks, Jo (2018) New Zealand Journal of Ecology, Volume 43, Number 1 doi 10.20417/nzjecol.43.6
  4. ^ Hitchmough, Rod; Anderson, Peter; Barr, Ben; Monks, Jo; Lettink, Marieke; Reardon, James; Tocher, Mandy; Whitaker, Tony. "Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2012" (PDF). Department of Conservation. The Government of New Zealand. Retrieved 18 July 2015.