Slight skink

The slight skink (Oligosoma levidensum) is a skink of the family Scincidae, endemic to the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. The precise distribution is unknown; currently it is only known from localities in the Te Paki region of Northland. It closely resembles the copper skink, Oligosoma aeneum, and was considered to be a member of this species until recently when it was described as a new species using morphological, allozyme and DNA methods (Chapple et al. 2008). O. levidensum is difficult to distinguish morphologically from O. aeneum, which is probably why it had not been recognised until recently. The main distinguishing feature is the slighter overall body form of O. levidensum compared to O. aeneum. The limbs of O. levidensum are reduced compared to O. aeneum and O. hardyi, the other members of the O. aeneum complex.[2]

Slight skink
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Oligosoma
Species:
O. levidensum
Binomial name
Oligosoma levidensum
Chapple et al. 2008

Conservation status

As of 2012 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the slight skink as Nationally Vulnerable under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[3][3]

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References
  1. Hitchmough, R., Chapple, D., van Winkel, D. & Lettink, M. 2019. Oligosoma levidensum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T120189545A120192614. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T120189545A120192614.en. Downloaded on 20 March 2020.
  2. Chapple et al. 2008
  3. 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.
  • Chapple, Patterson, Bell & Daugherty (2008). Taxonomic Revision of the Copper Skink (Cyclodina aenea, Squamata, Scincidea) Species Complex with descriptions of two new species. Journal of Herpetology 42 3 pp 437 – 452.
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