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 edit

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

References edit

  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.