Oligosoma kakerakau, known as the Whirinaki skink and the Kakerakau skink, is a species of skink found in New Zealand.[1] First observed at Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park in 2003, the skink is mainly known for a population occurring at Bream Head Scenic Reserve near Whangārei. Oligosoma kakerakau has a distinctive teardrop marking that distinguishes it from other similar members of Oligosoma.
| Oligosoma kakerakau | |
|---|---|
| |
| Oligosoma kakerakau seen in Northland, New Zealand | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Oligosoma |
| Species: | O. kakerakau
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oligosoma kakerakau Barr, Chapple, Hitchmough, Patterson & Ngatiwai Trust Board, 2021
| |
Taxonomy
editOligosoma kakerakau was first formally described in 2021.[2] The first sighting of the species occurred in 2003, when a single individual was seen at Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park. Until 2021, the species was given the interim name Oligosoma "Whirinaki".[2] Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the species' closest known relative is Oligosoma zelandicum, while Oligosoma striatum and Oligosoma homalonotum are more distant relatives.[2] O. kakerakau and O. zelandicum are hypothesised to have diverged due to sea level changes during the Pliocene era.[2]
Description
editOligosoma kakerakau has a snout–vent length of 70 mm (2.8 in).[3] The species has a distinctive teardrop-shaped marking below its eye and mid-lateral stripe.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species is known to occur at Bream Head Scenic Reserve near Whangārei in Northland, and at Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park in the Bay of Plenty Region.[2] An unconfirmed sighting of the species in a third area occurred at Whangamōmona in 2022.[4][5]
At Bream Head, the species lives in coastal broad-leaved forest, scrubland, and on rock outcrops, while the Whirinaki population lives in Podocarpus, tawa and tawhai forests.[4][3]
Behaviour
editOligosoma kakerakau is diurnal, and is known to feed on small invertebrates.[3]
Conservation status
editAs of 2021 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified Oligosoma kakerakau as Nationally Critical under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[6]
References
edit- ^ Oligosoma kakerakau at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Barr, Benjamin P.; Chapple, David G.; Hitchmough, Rodney A.; Patterson, Geoff B.; Ngātiwai Trust Board (1 October 2021). "A new species of Oligosoma (Squamata: Scincidae) from the northern North Island, New Zealand". Zootaxa. 5047 (4): 401–415. doi:10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5047.4.1. ISSN 1175-5334. Wikidata Q110667725.
- ^ a b c van Winkel, Dylan; Baling, Marleen; Hitchmough, Rod (2018). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand (1st ed.). Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 270–271. ISBN 978-1-86940-937-1. OL 40449345M. Wikidata Q76013985.
- ^ a b "Kakerakau skink". New Zealand Herpetological Society. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Martin, Robin (3 January 2023). "Rare species of skink discovered after cat brings it to owner's attention". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Oligosoma "Whirinaki"". Department of Conservation. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 11 November 2024.