The common skink (Oligosoma polychroma), also known as the northern grass skink,[1] is a species of skink native to New Zealand. Although historically classified as a subspecies of Oligosoma nigriplantare, it is likely to be given separate species status as data suggests it is a distinct species.[2][3]

Common or northern grass skink
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Oligosoma
Species:
O. polychroma
Binomial name
Oligosoma polychroma
(Patterson & Daugherty, 1990)
Synonyms
  • Leiolopisma nigriplanatre polychroma (Patterson & Dougherty ,1990)
  • Oligosoma nigriplantare polychroma (Patterson & Dougherty ,1995)

Distribution

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The common skink is widespread in New Zealand from Stewart Island to the middle of North Island.[2]

Conservation status

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In 2012 the Department of Conservation classified the common skink as Not Threatened under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Northern grass skink," Department of Conservation. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Oligosoma polychroma". Department of Conservation Atlas. Government of New Zealand. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Oligosoma polychroma Common skink". Landcare Research NZ Lizards Database. Landcare Research. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  4. ^ 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.
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