title: Taxonomic revision of the ornate skink (Oligosoma ornatum; Reptilia: Scincidae) species complex from northern New Zealand.
abstract: Although the New Zealand skink fauna is known to be highly diverse, a substantial proportion of the recognised species remain undescribed. We completed a taxonomic revision of the ornate skink (Oligosoma ornatum (Gray, 1843)) as a previous molecular study indicated that it represented a species complex. As part of this work we have resolved some nomenclatural issues involving this species and a similar species, O. aeneum (Girard, 1857). A new skink species, Oligosoma roimata sp. nov., is described from the Poor Knights Islands, off the northeast coast of the North Island of New Zealand. This species is diagnosed by a range of morphological characters and genetic differentiation from O. ornatum. The conservation status of the new taxon appears to be of concern as it is endemic to the Poor Knights Islands and has rarely been seen over the past two decades.
authors.affiliation: 149 Mairangi Road, Wilton, Wellington, New Zealand; Email: geoffjoss@clear.net.nz.
authors.forename: Geoff B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservation, Terrestrial Conservation Unit, PO Box 10-420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Rod A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hitchmough
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Victoria 3800, Australia Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Chapple
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010802:Phylogeny