More species of lizards found in Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
Two species of lizard have been recently detected in Karori Wildlife Sanctuary bringing the total number of lizard species present in the Sanctuary to six. Richard Romijn, Royal Society of New Zealand Research Scholarship recipient, has been monitoring skinks in the Sanctuary since mid-November 2004 using pitfall traps. This research follows on from previous research conducted into gecko's in the Sanctuary.
Richard has detected the copper skink (Cyclodina aenea) and the rarely seen ornate skink (Cyclodina ornata). Both species are confined to the North Island and offshore islands. Ornate skinks have been detected in the Sanctuary before but this is the first confirmation of copper skink.
In addition to these species there are two other skink species that are already known to live in the Sanctuary - the common skink (Oligosoma nigriplantare) and the brown skink (Oligosoma zelandicum). The forest gecko (Hoplodactylus granulatus) and common gecko (Hoplodactylus maculatus) also live in the Sanctuary.
Richard said, "This study represents one more step towards understanding the recovery of lizard populations in the Sanctuary. Due to introduced predators (mice, rats, cats etc) in other mainland areas, lizard numbers, and in many cases their ranges, have drastically reduced, so people rarely get to see lizards. We are thrilled that there are at least six species present and my hope is that these species will thrive to a point where people will be able to see these wonderful animals in the Sanctuary".
For further information please contact:
Rachael Dippie, Marketing Manager, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
Phone: 04 920 9204
Email: kwst@sanctuary.org.nz
http://www.sanctuary.org.nz/whatsnew/news/news93.html
Two species of lizard have been recently detected in Karori Wildlife Sanctuary bringing the total number of lizard species present in the Sanctuary to six. Richard Romijn, Royal Society of New Zealand Research Scholarship recipient, has been monitoring skinks in the Sanctuary since mid-November 2004 using pitfall traps. This research follows on from previous research conducted into gecko's in the Sanctuary.
Richard has detected the copper skink (Cyclodina aenea) and the rarely seen ornate skink (Cyclodina ornata). Both species are confined to the North Island and offshore islands. Ornate skinks have been detected in the Sanctuary before but this is the first confirmation of copper skink.
In addition to these species there are two other skink species that are already known to live in the Sanctuary - the common skink (Oligosoma nigriplantare) and the brown skink (Oligosoma zelandicum). The forest gecko (Hoplodactylus granulatus) and common gecko (Hoplodactylus maculatus) also live in the Sanctuary.
Richard said, "This study represents one more step towards understanding the recovery of lizard populations in the Sanctuary. Due to introduced predators (mice, rats, cats etc) in other mainland areas, lizard numbers, and in many cases their ranges, have drastically reduced, so people rarely get to see lizards. We are thrilled that there are at least six species present and my hope is that these species will thrive to a point where people will be able to see these wonderful animals in the Sanctuary".
For further information please contact:
Rachael Dippie, Marketing Manager, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
Phone: 04 920 9204
Email: kwst@sanctuary.org.nz
http://www.sanctuary.org.nz/whatsnew/news/news93.html