Barrier skink

Barrier skink
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Scincidae
Genus:	Oligosoma
Species:	O. judgei
Binomial name
Oligosoma judgei Bell, Patterson; 2009

The Barrier skink, Oligosoma judgei, is a species of medium sized skink endemic to New Zealand where it lives in the alpine habitat of the Darran and Takitimu mountains of Fiordland. It is one of only 2 species of New Zealand skink that lives exclusively in the alpine zone, the other being the "Sinbad skink", Oligosoma pikitanga, a closely related species of similar appearance which is found in the same part of the South Island. The Barrier skink was first collected in the 1960s^[1] but was overlooked until rediscovery by a pair of mountain climbers in 2005; the species was scientifically described in 2009. The conservation status of this new species if thought to be secure, primarily because invasive mammalian predator populations cannot become established in the harsh climate of the high alpine zone where they live and also, because vast areas of undisturbed habitat remain intact.^[2]

References

1. ^ Tony Jewell and Rod Morris, "Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand", New Holland, 2008
2. ^ Geoff P. Patterson and Trent P. Bell, "The Barrier skink, Oligosoma judgei n. sp. (Reptilia: Scincidae) from the Darran and Takitimu Mountains, South Island, New Zealand", Zootaxa 2271 pp. 43-56 (2009)