A New Genus and Species of Lizard (Reptilia: Scincidae) from New Caledonia, Southwest Pacific

Abstract

An unusual new lygosomine skink, Simiscincus aurantiacus Sadlier & Bauer, n. sp., is described from a single specimen collected in southern New Caledonia. This species is a member of the Eugongylus group of skinks, but is not readily assignable to any known genus. It has a number of derived characteristics that serve to distinguish it, the most notable of which is the highest number of premaxillary teeth of any scincid. Although its relationships cannot, at present, be established unambiguously, it appears to share affinities with another monotypic endemic New Caledonian genus, Graciliscincus. The discovery of this species highlights the extreme diversity and endemicity of the New Caledonian lizard fauna.