Atlas species information
Introduction
Detailed species information from your search of the Atlas.- Scientific name:
- Oligosoma salmo
- Common name:
- Chesterfield skink
- Naming authority:
- Melzer, Hitchmough, Bell, Chapple & Patterson, 2019
- Bio status category:
- Indigenous (Endemic)
- IUCN threat status:
- ** Not Classified **
- NZ threat classification:
- Nationally Critical
Refer to www.doc.govt.nz/nztcs for NZ threat classification system details.
Chesterfield skink
Habitat
- Found in highly modified habitat; rough pasture and low shrublands.
Description
- Upper surfaces of back mid to dark brown, often with prominent lighter and darker flecking.
- sides with broad dark brown stripe above, bordered by thin pale stripes that are typically very notched, and below this flecked grey-brown.
- Tail similar but with rusty-red flecking and blotching.
- Lower surfaces pinkish and sometimes with dark speckling, belly yellow and usually unmarked.
- Snout vent length around 65-75 mm.
- Diurnal.
Distribution
- Known only from a small area of coastal paddocks in Chesterfield near Hokitika, West Coast of the South Island.
Notes
- A proposed new species and likely to be formerly described as a distinct species.
- Notes about 2012-14 cycle of NZ threat classification for Reptiles: (Hitchmough, et al.
- 2012): No new data; continued risk from dairy development - more potential habitat has been lost in recent years; potential risk from renewed mining and associated infrastructure; Chesterfield population very small and localised, potentially threatened by any change in farming practices, Alborn population very small (TW found 2-3 individuals) - pathway changed in 2012 because we weren't sure of 50-70% decline over 3 generations, but fairly confident that there are fewer than 200 individuals in the 2 known populations.
Statistical information and distribution map
| Before 1988 | Since 1988 | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Specimen | 0 | 15 |
| Total | 0 | 15 |
Live or dead specimen or shed skin
Bone or fossil
