COMPARATIVE PHYLOGEOGRAPHY
; EVOLUTION
; SYSTEMATICS
; AUSTRALIA
; REPTILIA
; HISTORY
; REFUGIA
WOS学科分类:
Zoology
WOS研究方向:
Zoology
英文摘要:
The existence of the Kaputar Rock Skink, a morphologically distinct Egernia population restricted to the Nandewar Ranges in northern New South Wales, has been known for decades. However, no comprehensive description or diagnosis of the taxon has been published in the scientific literature, and its distinctiveness largely assumed. As part of a study investigating the genetic differentiation of faunal populations on the Nandewar Range, comparisons between the Kaputar Rock Skink and cast Australian Egernia striokna-group species were undertaken. The results indicate that the Kaputar Rock Skink is a distinct genetic lineage, showing species-level divergence from other Egernia species. Field studies suggest the Kaputar Rock Skink is restricted to an extremely narrow band of rock habitat above 1000 m or more in elevation, and only occupies retreat and sheltering sites near cliff edges or in areas of extensive outcropping rock. It now appears to be a cool-adapted species constrained to high elevation habitat by niche conservatism. Field studies suggest the availability of suitable habitat on the summit areas of the Nandewar Ranges is highly limited, making it vulnerable to several potentially threatening processes, including anthropogenic climate change. The name Contundo roorni was erected for the Kaputar Rock Skink by Wells & Wellington in 1985, and we recommend Egernia roomi (Wells & Wellington. 1985) as the name for the Kaputar Rock Skink.
1.Australian Museum, Res Inst, 1 William St, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia 2.Univ New South Wales, Ctr Ecosyst Sci, Sch Biol Earth & Environm Sci, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia 3.Outwest Reptile Consulting Serv, Montefiores St, Wellington, NSW 2820, Australia
Recommended Citation:
Sadlier, Ross A.,Frankham, Greta J.,Beatson, Cecilie A.,et al. Genetic Evidence in Support of the Recognition of the Kaputar Rock Skink, one of New South Wales' Most Range-restricted Vertebrate Species[J]. RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM,2019-01-01,71(5):183-197