Oligosoma smithi: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Species of lizard}} |
{{Short description|Species of lizard}} |
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{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}} |
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=May 2020}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} |
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{{Speciesbox |
{{Speciesbox |
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'''''Oligosoma smithi''''', [[Common name|commonly]] known as the '''shore skink''',<ref name="HZ"/> '''short-tailed skink''',<ref name="HZ"/> '''Smith's ground skink''',<ref name="EDR">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}}. (''Oligosoma smithi'', p. 246).</ref> '''Smith's moco''',<ref>Gray, 1845.</ref> and '''Smith's skink''',<ref name="HZ"/> is a [[species]] of [[lizard]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Scincidae]] (skinks) that is native to New Zealand. |
'''''Oligosoma smithi''''', [[Common name|commonly]] known as the '''shore skink''',<ref name="HZ"/> '''short-tailed skink''',<ref name="HZ"/> '''Smith's ground skink''',<ref name="EDR">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}}. (''Oligosoma smithi'', p. 246).</ref> '''Smith's moco''',<ref>Gray, 1845.</ref> and '''Smith's skink''',<ref name="HZ"/> is a [[species]] of [[lizard]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Scincidae]] (skinks) that is native to New Zealand. |
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| ⚫ | This species was first described as ''Mocoa smithii'' by [[John Edward Gray]]. The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''smithi'', is in honor of Gray's nephew, British naval officer Lt Alexander John Smith, who collected the original specimens in the early 1840s, and presented them to his uncle at the British Museum.<ref name="van Winkel">{{Cite Q|Q76013985|pages=260–261}}</ref> After being placed in several other genera it was moved in 1995 to the genus ''[[Oligosoma]]'', with all other New Zealand skink species. |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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[[File:Oligosoma_smithi_(AM_LH437-2).jpg|thumb|left|Scientific specimen collected from the [[Mercury Islands]]]] |
[[File:Oligosoma_smithi_(AM_LH437-2).jpg|thumb|left|Scientific specimen collected from the [[Mercury Islands]]]] |
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''Oligosoma smithi'' is small species of skink, growing to a [[snout–vent length|snout-to-vent length]] (SVL) of {{convert| |
''Oligosoma smithi'' is small species of skink, growing to a [[snout–vent length|snout-to-vent length]] (SVL) of {{convert|82|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="van Winkel"/> It is well [[camouflage]]d, and may be found in a range of colours, with considerable variance seen between different populations, and within the same population groups.<ref name="van Winkel"/> Individuals who tend to live in white sandy habitats tend to be lighter in colour, while those that live on offshore islands tending to be a glossy jet black colour.<ref name="van Winkel"/> |
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The species can be distinguished from ''[[Oligosoma suteri]]'' due to ''O. Smithi'' having smaller eyes, smaller feet and shorter toes, and less visible brow.<ref name="van Winkel"/> |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
==Distribution and habitat== |
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The species is native to the northern half of the [[North Island]] of [[New Zealand]], occurring on the eastern coast from the [[Aupōuri Peninsula]] in the north south to [[Gisborne, New Zealand|Gisborne]]. Closely-related skinks on the western shore of the North Island and the [[Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands|Three Kings Islands]] were formerly considered members of this species, but are now known as [[Tātahi skink|tātahi skinks]] (''Oligosoma'' aff. ''smithi'' "Three Kings, Te Paki, Western Northland").<ref name="van Winkel" /> |
The species is native to the northern half of the [[North Island]] of [[New Zealand]], occurring on the eastern coast from the [[Aupōuri Peninsula]] in the north south to [[Gisborne, New Zealand|Gisborne]].<ref name="van Winkel"/> Closely-related skinks on the western shore of the North Island and the [[Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands|Three Kings Islands]] were formerly considered members of this species, but are now known as [[Tātahi skink|tātahi skinks]] (''Oligosoma'' aff. ''smithi'' "Three Kings, Te Paki, Western Northland").<ref name="van Winkel" /> |
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It is always found near the shoreline and prefers open areas such as around driftwood at the high tide mark.<ref name="HZ">{{cite web|title=Shore Skink|url=http://hamiltonzoo.co.nz/our-animals/reptiles/shore-skink/|website=Hamilton Zoo|publisher=Hamilton Zoo|accessdate=13 December 2015}}</ref> |
It is always found near the shoreline and prefers open areas such as around driftwood at the high tide mark.<ref name="HZ">{{cite web|title=Shore Skink|url=http://hamiltonzoo.co.nz/our-animals/reptiles/shore-skink/|website=Hamilton Zoo|publisher=Hamilton Zoo|accessdate=13 December 2015}}</ref> |
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==Behaviour== |
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''Oligosoma smithi'' is diurnal (active during the day) and spends most of its time hunting or basking in the sun. |
''Oligosoma smithi'' is diurnal (active during the day) and spends most of its time hunting or basking in the sun.<ref name="van Winkel"/> It eats insects typically found along coastlines, and is known to occasionally eat fruit and scavenge birds and fish.<ref name="van Winkel"/> |
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Like most New Zealand skinks, it is viviparous (reproduces by giving birth to live young). |
Like most New Zealand skinks, it is viviparous (reproduces by giving birth to live young). The species typically mates around October, with between four to six young born each year between January and February.<ref name="van Winkel"/> |
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==Conservation status== |
==Conservation status== |
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As of 2012 the [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation (DOC)]] classified ''Oligosoma smithi'' as Not Threatened under the [[New Zealand Threat Classification System]].<ref name="Conservation 2012">{{cite web|last1=Hitchmough|first1=Rod|last2=Anderson|first2=Peter|last3=Barr|first3=Ben|last4=Monks|first4=Jo|last5=Lettink|first5=Marieke|last6=Reardon|first6=James|last7=Tocher|first7=Mandy|last8=Whitaker|first8=Tony|authorlink8=Anthony Whitaker|title=Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2012|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/nztcs2entire.pdf|website=Department of Conservation|publisher=New Zealand Government|accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref> |
As of 2012 the [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation (DOC)]] classified ''Oligosoma smithi'' as Not Threatened under the [[New Zealand Threat Classification System]].<ref name="Conservation 2012">{{cite web|last1=Hitchmough|first1=Rod|last2=Anderson|first2=Peter|last3=Barr|first3=Ben|last4=Monks|first4=Jo|last5=Lettink|first5=Marieke|last6=Reardon|first6=James|last7=Tocher|first7=Mandy|last8=Whitaker|first8=Tony|authorlink8=Anthony Whitaker|title=Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2012|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/nztcs2entire.pdf|website=Department of Conservation|publisher=New Zealand Government|accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | This species was first described as ''Mocoa smithii'' by [[John Edward Gray]]. The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''smithi'', is in honor of Gray's nephew, British naval officer Lt Alexander John Smith, who collected the original specimens in the early 1840s, and presented them to his uncle at the British Museum.<ref name="van Winkel">{{Cite Q|Q76013985|pages=260–261}}</ref> After being placed in several other genera it was moved in 1995 to the genus ''[[Oligosoma]]'', with all other New Zealand skink species. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Latest revision as of 21:11, 10 November 2024
| Oligosoma smithi | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Oligosoma |
| Species: | O. smithi
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| Binomial name | |
| Oligosoma smithi (Gray, 1845)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Oligosoma smithi, commonly known as the shore skink,[2] short-tailed skink,[2] Smith's ground skink,[3] Smith's moco,[4] and Smith's skink,[2] is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae (skinks) that is native to New Zealand.
Taxonomy
[edit]This species was first described as Mocoa smithii by John Edward Gray. The specific name, smithi, is in honor of Gray's nephew, British naval officer Lt Alexander John Smith, who collected the original specimens in the early 1840s, and presented them to his uncle at the British Museum.[5] After being placed in several other genera it was moved in 1995 to the genus Oligosoma, with all other New Zealand skink species.
Description
[edit]
Oligosoma smithi is small species of skink, growing to a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 82 mm (3.2 in).[5] It is well camouflaged, and may be found in a range of colours, with considerable variance seen between different populations, and within the same population groups.[5] Individuals who tend to live in white sandy habitats tend to be lighter in colour, while those that live on offshore islands tending to be a glossy jet black colour.[5]
The species can be distinguished from Oligosoma suteri due to O. Smithi having smaller eyes, smaller feet and shorter toes, and less visible brow.[5]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]The species is native to the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand, occurring on the eastern coast from the Aupōuri Peninsula in the north south to Gisborne.[5] Closely-related skinks on the western shore of the North Island and the Three Kings Islands were formerly considered members of this species, but are now known as tātahi skinks (Oligosoma aff. smithi "Three Kings, Te Paki, Western Northland").[5]
It is always found near the shoreline and prefers open areas such as around driftwood at the high tide mark.[2]
Behaviour
[edit]Oligosoma smithi is diurnal (active during the day) and spends most of its time hunting or basking in the sun.[5] It eats insects typically found along coastlines, and is known to occasionally eat fruit and scavenge birds and fish.[5]
Like most New Zealand skinks, it is viviparous (reproduces by giving birth to live young). The species typically mates around October, with between four to six young born each year between January and February.[5]
Conservation status
[edit]As of 2012 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified Oligosoma smithi as Not Threatened under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Oligosoma smithi ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ a b c d "Shore Skink". Hamilton Zoo. Hamilton Zoo. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ 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. (Oligosoma smithi, p. 246).
- ^ Gray, 1845.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j van Winkel, Dylan; Baling, Marleen; Hitchmough, Rod (2018). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand (1st ed.). Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 260–261. ISBN 978-1-86940-937-1. OL 40449345M. Wikidata Q76013985.
- ^ 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. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
Further reading
[edit]- Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. ... Scincidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I-XL. (Lygosoma smithii, pp. 274–275).
- Gray JE (1845). Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards in the Collection of the British Museum. London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Edward Newman, printer). xxviii + 289 pp. (Mocoa smithii, new species, pp. 82–83).
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Oligosoma smithi.
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