The moko skink (Oligosoma moco) is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae (skinks)[1] that is endemic to New Zealand.
| Moko skink | |
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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. moco
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| Binomial name | |
| Oligosoma moco | |
| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy
editThe species was first described by André Marie Constant Duméril and Gabriel Bibron in 1839 under the name Lygosoma moco.[2] In 1955 when Charles McCann revised the taxa of New Zealand skinks, he placed the species within the genus Leiolopisma, which made the species' scientific name Leiolopisma moco for much of the 20th century.[3][4] This was until 1995 when Geoff Patterson and Charles Daugherty reinstated the genus Oligosoma for New Zealand skinks, leading to the species' modern name Oligosoma moco.[3][5] The specific epithet moco refers to moko, the Māori word for lizards in general.[6]
Description
editThe colour and patterns are variable, but the overall colour is coppery or olive brown and it usually has an even edged dark brown stripe along the side, bordered cream or white on the top and bottom. Some individuals are very dark. It has distinctive long toes and tail, and grows to a maximum snout–vent length of 81 mm (3.2 in).[6] The very long tail can make up over half the total body length.[7]
The species can be distinguished from the undescribed Whirinaki skink (also a member of Oligosoma) due to the Whirinaki skinks having a distinct teardrop marking below their eyes.[6]
Distribution
editIt is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the northeastern part of the North Island, between North Cape and the Bay of Plenty, as well as numerous islands off the east coast of the North Island, where it is most commonly found.[6][8] To help protect the species, skinks were released into the Rotoroa Island sanctuary in 2015.[9]
Ecology
editMoko skinks are generally found in coastal environments. They are active mainly by day and are often seen basking on warm rocks. They are also found under logs and stones and in clay banks. They eat small insects, spiders and similar invertebrates.[10] They often emerge from vegetation edges to hunt on beaches and open rocky areas.[7]
Reproduction
editLike most of the New Zealand native skinks, the moko skink gives birth to live young, rather than laying eggs.[6] Litters of between two to six are born between February and March.[6]
References
edit- ^ Patterson G, Daugherty C (1995). "Reinstatement of the genus Oligosoma (Reptilia: Lacertilia: Scincidae)". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 25 (3): 327–331. doi:10.1080/03014223.1995.9517493.
- ^ Duméril, M. C.; Bibron, G. (1839). Erpétologie générale, ou, Histoire naturelle complète des reptiles (in French). Vol. 5. Roret. p. 718.
- ^ a b Chapple, David G.; Ritchie, Peter A.; Daugherty, Charles H. (August 2009). "Origin, diversification, and systematics of the New Zealand skink fauna (Reptilia: Scincidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 52 (2): 470–487. doi:10.1016/J.YMPEV.2009.03.021. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 19345273. Wikidata Q29541236.
- ^ McCann, Y. M. Charles (May 1955), The lizards of New Zealand. Gekkonidae and Scincidae, vol. 17, Dominion Museum, OCLC 3624962, Wikidata Q131140235
- ^ Patterson, G. B.; Daugherty, C. H. (September 1995). "Reinstatement of the genus Oligosoma (Reptilia: Lacertilia: Scincidae)". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 25 (3): 327–331. doi:10.1080/03014223.1995.9517493. ISSN 0303-6758. Wikidata Q54555148.
- ^ a b c d e f van Winkel, Dylan; Baling, Marleen; Hitchmough, Rod (2018). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand (1st ed.). Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 268–269. ISBN 978-1-86940-937-1. OL 40449345M. Wikidata Q76013985.
- ^ a b "Moko skink, this curious little lizard with its incredibly long tail". www.wanderingherpetologist.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ Hare, Kelly M.; Daugherty, Charles H.; Chapple, David G. (31 August 2007). "Comparative phylogeography of three skink species (Oligosoma moco, O. smithi, O. suteri; Reptilia: Scincidae) in northeastern New Zealand". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 46 (1): 303–315. doi:10.1016/J.YMPEV.2007.08.012. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 17911035. Wikidata Q34696892.
- ^ Milton, K.; Stewart, J. (2015). Shore Skink Survey, Tiritiri Matangi Island, 5 January to 11 January 2015 (PDF) (Report). Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi (Inc.), Auckland.
- ^ "Moko Skink - Tiritiri Matangi Project". www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012.