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Issue: Vol. 4162 No. 1: 8 Sept. 2016
Type: Article
Published: 2016-09-08
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4162.1.3
Page range: 61–91
Abstract views: 122
PDF downloaded: 4

Cryptic diversity within the narrowly endemic Lerista wilkinsi group of north Queensland—two new species (Reptilia: Scincidae)

Biodiversity, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane 4101, Australia.
Biodiversity, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane 4101, Australia.
Biodiversity, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane 4101, Australia.
Reptilia Australia Einasleigh Uplands Bioregion endangered habitat fine-lined slider skinks semi-evergreen vine thickets

Abstract

Herein we describe two new species of the skink genus Lerista from north-eastern Queensland, based on morphological and genetic data.  Additionally, we redescribe L. cinerea as this species is morphologically more variable than previously suggested.  We allocate these three species to the L. wilkinsi group (Greer et al. 1983) which is here identified as an endemic Queensland radiation, comprising L. ameles, L. cinerea, L. hobsoni sp. nov., L. storri, L. vanderduysi sp. nov., L. vittata and L. wilkinsi.  A number of these species have strong associations with semi-evergreen vine thickets, listed as an endangered habitat under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999).

 

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