Coastal plains skink

The coastal plains skink (Ctenotus ora) is a species of skinks, found on the Swan Coastal Plain south of Perth, Western Australia.

Coastal plains skink
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Ctenotus
Species:
C. ora
Binomial name
Ctenotus ora
Kay & Keogh, 2012

Taxonomy

The species was identified in 2012 by researchers from Australian National University, who were conducting a survey of biological diversity in South-western Australia. They identified Ctenotus ora as a distinct species and sister taxon to the threatened Lancelin Island skink (Ctenotus lancelini).[2]

The binomial name Ctenotus ora is derived from the genus name Ctenotus meaning "comb-ear", and the Latin ora meaning "coast", "seaside" or "shore"—referring to the species' coastal distribution.[3]

Distribution

The coastal plains skink has only been found in low numbers in a small stretch of sand dunes on the Swan Coastal Plain south of Perth, Western Australia, between Dunsborough and Mandurah. The species is threatened by residential development around the Perth coastal area, with the Zootaxa paper which described the species recommending it be considered for immediate conservation attention.[4]

Description

The common plains skink is around 6 centimetres (2.4 in) in length from snout to vent. It is dark in colour, with a continuous white dorsolateral stripe.[3]

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References
  1. Gaikhorst, G., Lloyd, R., Valentine, L., Sanderson, C., Ford, S. & Ellis, R. 2017. Ctenotus ora. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T109463880A109463883. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T109463880A109463883.en. Downloaded on 04 June 2020.
  2. Kay, Geoffrey; Keogh, J. Scott (July 2012). Fleischer, Robert C. (ed.). "Molecular phylogeny and morphological revision of the Ctenotus labillardieri (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) species group and a new species of immediate conservation concern in the southwestern Australian biodiversity hotspot" (PDF). Zootaxa. Magnolia Press (3390): 1–18. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  3. Macdonald, Stewart. "Coastal plains skink". Australian Reptile Online Database. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  4. "Hello, goodbye to new lizard". ANU News. Australian National University. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
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