Barrier skink
Encyclopedia
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 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.
Skink
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae. Together with several other lizard families, including Lacertidae , they comprise the superfamily or infraorder Scincomorpha...
endemic to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
where it lives in the alpine habitat of the Darran and Takitimu mountains of Fiordland
Fiordland
Fiordland is a geographic region of New Zealand that is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the western-most third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes and its ocean-flooded, steep western valleys...
. It is one of only 2 species of New Zealand skink that lives exclusively in the alpine zone
Alpine tundra
Alpine tundra is a natural region that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. Alpine tundra is distinguished from arctic tundra, because alpine soils are generally better drained than arctic soils...
, the other being the "Sinbad skink
Sinbad skink
The Sinbad Skink, Oligosoma pikitanga is a rare species of medium sized skink endemic to New Zealand where it lives in an alpine habitat in Sinbad Gully, in Fiordland National Park...
", Oligosoma pikitanga, a closely related species of similar appearance which is found in the same part of the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
. The Barrier skink was first collected in the 1960s 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
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
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.