timharker's Identifications

Locality is obscured of course, but the vague location is in central, western Fiordland. Well over 50 km away from any other known Mokopirirakau gecko populations and between the known distributions of Takitimu gecko and Cascade gecko. To my eye some traits point to Takitimu gecko (such as a short tail relative to SVL and a pink tongue), but genetic testing next winter will be needed to help place this population.

Aotearoa's most recently described skink. Mataura skink (Oligosoma aureocola). Species name means 'dweller in gold' refering to the species strong use of Golden Spaniard or spear grass (Aciphylla aurea). Can someone chonk out the Wikipedia /iNat page? Knox, C.D., Patterson, G.B., Chapple, D.G. (2023): Oligosoma aureocola sp. nov. (Reptilia: Scincidae) from the northern Southland high country of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Zootaxa. 22 pp.

Aotearoa's most recently described skink. Mataura skink (Oligosoma aureocola). Species name means 'dweller in gold' refering to the species strong use of Golden Spaniard or spear grass (Aciphylla aurea). Can someone chonk out the Wikipedia /iNat page? Knox, C.D., Patterson, G.B., Chapple, D.G. (2023): Oligosoma aureocola sp. nov. (Reptilia: Scincidae) from the northern Southland high country of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Zootaxa. 22 pp.