Gold in the mountains: Striking new species of Papuascincus (Sphenomorphini: Scincidae) from New Guinea

• Published in: Vertebrate zoology 2024-01, Vol.74, p.133-149
• Main Authors: Slavenko, Alex, Richards, Stephen J., Donnellan, Stephen C., Allison, Allen, Oliver, Paul M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Art galleries & museums; Body size; Cloud forests; color; Congeners; Conservation status; Endangered species; fauna; karsts; Montane environments; Mountains; New Guinea; New species; O'Shea, Mark; Radiation; reptiles; Reptiles & amphibians; Scincidae; surveys; tropical montane cloud forests; zoology
• ISSN: 1864-5755; 2625-8498; 2625-8498
• DOI: 10.3897/vz.74.e112782

Skinks are the most diverse component of the reptile fauna in the mountains of New Guinea and many seemingly specialised high-elevation species remain undescribed. Here we describe two spectacular new gold-patterned skinks in the montane-specialist genus Papuascincus. Both species can be diagnosed from all congeners by their distinctive colouration, in addition to aspects of scalation and body size. One new species is mainly recorded from lower montane forest in karst habitats spanning more than five hundred kilometres along the southern edge of New Guinea’s Central Cordillera and is likely to warrant an IUCN conservation status of Least Concern. The second new species has thus far only been recorded from cloud forest on the summit of Mt. Menawa in the North Coastal Ranges and we suggest it should be considered Data Deficient. However, if further survey work confirms a restricted distribution with little scope for upslope elevational retreat under future warming climates it will likely qualify for Endangered or Critically Endangered status.