Ross A. Sadlier

A New Genus and Species of Live-Bearing Scincid Lizard (Reptilia: Scincidae) from New Caledonia

Abstract A new genus and species of lizard is described from far northern New Caledonia and the Îles Belep, to the north of the New Caledonian mainland. In overall appearance and biology, it is most similar to the forest-dwelling species of the endemic New Caledonian genus Marmorosphax and shares with those skinks a live-bearing mode of reproduction. However, the new species is highly divergent in its scalation and includes a combination of character states not seen in any other New Caledonian species. The new species has been recorded mainly from dry forest habitats in the far north of the region, including dry closed forest on the Îles Belep, dry riverine forest adjacent to the Rivière Néhoué, and dry closed forest on Dome de Tiébaghi. The forests in which this new species is found are now present as relictual patches as a result of historical factors or more recent anthropogenic impacts. The taxonomic uniqueness of this species, in combination with its restricted distribution and threats to its preferred habitat, make it a high priority for conservation management.

A New Genus and Species of Diplodactylid Gecko (Reptilia: Squamata: Diplodactylidae) from Northwestern New Caledonia

ABSTRACT A new genus and species of diplodactylid gecko, Oedodera marmorata Bauer, Jackman, Sadlier & Whitaker, is described from low-elevation maquis habitat near Paagoumène in the northwest of the Province Nord, New Caledonia. The new gecko is a robust form that is superficially similar to members of the genus Bavayia Roux but differs in several digital characteristics, the presence of a patch (versus 1–2 rows) of precloacal pores, and a uniquely swollen neck. In addition, molecular data indicate that the new form is the basal member of the entire radiation of New Caledonian diplodactylids. The new species is at risk due to wildfires, introduced predators and perhaps competitors, and planned mine development into part of its range.

A New Member of the Bavayia cyclura Species Group (Reptilia: Squamata: Diplodactylidae) from the Southern Ranges of New Caledonia

Abstract: A new species of diplodactylid gecko, Bavayia nubila Bauer, Sadlier, Jackman & Shea, n. sp., is described from forests at two sites in the drainage of the Tontouta Valley in the ultramafic ranges of southeastern New Caledonia. The new gecko is the sister species of the much smaller Bavayia goroensis; both species are basal within the B. cyclura clade. The area from which the species is recorded so far is the focus of extensive nickel mining operations, and because of its restricted distribution and the potential threats posed by mining in the region, it is here regarded as Endangered under IUCN red list criteria.

A New Small-Bodied Species of Bavayia (Reptilia: Squamata: Diplodactylidae) from Southeastern New Caledonia

ABSTRACT A new species of diplodactylid genus Bavayia, B. goroensis, is described from the Plaine des Lacs region of the Province Sud, New Caledonia. The new gecko is the smallest member of the Bavayia cyclura clade (49 mm snout-vent length) and, based on a molecular phylogeny, is basal within this group. It differs from other members of this group in its much smaller size, more gracile body, and lower number of precloacal pores and subdigital lamellae. The new species is known from only two locations, one of which is adjacent to extensive nickel mining operations. Because of its limited distribution and the direct and indirect threats posed by the proximity of mining to one of the populations, the species is here regarded as “Endangered.”

Terrestrial Herpetofauna of Île des Pins, New Caledonia, with an Emphasis on Its Surrounding Islands

Abstract: New Caledonia is recognized globally as a biodiversity hot spot due, in part, to the high levels of endemism seen among the region–s unique fauna and flora. Although substantial research efforts have been dedicated to the remarkable reptile diversity of the main island, the Grande Terre, comparably few studies have focused on the Île des Pins that lies off its southern tip. The last review of the herpetofauna of the Île des Pins was 18 yr ago; since then increased effort has been directed toward investigating the reptiles of the Île des Pins and its satellite islands. In this update we provide an overview of this regions lizard fauna, including new reptile records and the results of surveys of previously herpetologically unexplored islands in the vicinity of the Île des Pins, all in the context of a revised taxonomy. Results presented expand known ranges of 18 species and identify eight species not previously known from the area. Satellite islands surrounding the Île des Pins, despite their small size, contribute substantially to the biodiversity of the region and support several reptile species of conservation concern not recorded for the Île des Pins proper, nor the New Caledonian mainland.

Natural history of the New Caledonian whiptailed skink Tropidoscincus variabilis (Bavay, 1869) (Squamata: Scincidae)

Tropidoscincus variabilis is a medium-sized, long-limbed and long-tailed skink from New Caledonia with strong ontogenetic change in coloration, juveniles being very brightly coloured. It is primarily an inhabitant of forested habitats, but also occurs in maquis heathlands. Mature females are similar in size to mature males, but have proportionally longer bodies and shorter heads and limbs, and a less brightly orange venter. Body length (axilla-groin length) increases in positive allometry to snout-vent length (SVL), while limb lengths and head length increase in negative allometry to SVL (except in males, where limb length increases isometrically). Head width and depth increase in positive allometry to head length, while tail length increases in isometry with SVL. Reproduction is seasonal in both sexes, with gonadal cycles peaking in late spring. Females lay 2-4 eggs in summer, and young hatch in late summer. More than one year of growth is required to attain maturity. Diet consists of a wide range of invertebrates, particularly arthropods, and with large numbers of spiders and crickets. Juveniles eat more spiders, bugs and isopods than adults. The long limbs and ontogenetic change in coloration of this species are not explained by its known biology.

A new species of lizard in the genus Caledoniscincus (Reptilia: Scincidae) from far northwest New Caledonia

A new species of skink in the genus Caledoniscincus is described from the far north-west region of New Caledonia. It is known from a single location, the isolated ultramafic massif of Dôme de Tiébaghi, north of Koumac. The new species, Caledoniscincus pelletieri sp. nov., has a bold, white mid-lateral stripe on the body, a feature which distinguishes it from most other species of Caledoniscincus except the regionally sympatric Caledoniscincus haplorhinus (Günther) and Caledoniscincus austrocaledonicus (Bavay), and the recently described Caledoniscincus constellatus Sadlier, Whitaker, Wood & Bauer just to the south. The new species can be distinguished from these taxa in features of scalation and colouration, most notably in lacking an extension of the pale midlateral stripe between the ear and forelimbs and in having more lamellae on the underside of the fourth toe. The differences in morphology between C. pelletieri sp. nov. and the other members of the genus are complemented by a high level of genetic differentiation, further supporting its distinctiveness as an independent evolutionary lineage warranting recognition as a distinct species. The DNA sequence data for the ND2 mitochondrial gene identifies the new species as the sister to C. constellatus and these two taxa as the sister to all Caledoniscincus. The species is of extremely high conservation concern given its restricted distribution in an area that is currently being heavily impacted by human activities, and it satisfies the IUCN criteria to be ranked as a Critically Endangered species.