Although the New Zealand skink fauna is known to be highly diverse, a substantial proportion of t... more Although the New Zealand skink fauna is known to be highly diverse, a substantial proportion of the recognised species remain undescribed. We completed a taxonomic revision of the ornate skink (Oligosoma ornatum (Gray, 1843)) as a previous molecular study indicated that it represented a species complex. As part of this work we have resolved some nomenclatural issues involving this species and a similar species, O. aeneum (Girard, 1857). A new skink species, Oligosoma roimata sp. nov., is described from the Poor Knights Islands, off the northeast coast of the North Island of New Zealand. This species is diagnosed by a range of morphological characters and genetic differentiation from O. ornatum. The conservation status of the new taxon appears to be of concern as it is endemic to the Poor Knights Islands and has rarely been seen over the past two decades.
The terrestrial New Zealand fauna has developed on an ancient landmass of continental origins tha... more The terrestrial New Zealand fauna has developed on an ancient landmass of continental origins that has had an increasingly isolated existence since the late Mesozoic. As a continental remnant, New Zealand harbours survivors of many ancient lineages many of which were once far more widely distributed. But New Zealand's fauna also resembles that of an isolated archipelago: many higher taxa are missing; some have undergone extensive radiations in situ; and levels of endemism approach 100% in many groups. Ecologically, the fauna is characterized by frequent niche shifts, gigantism, and extended life histories with low reproductive rates, factors that make many species vulnerable to human disturbance. Data continue to amass supporting the ecophysiological as well as phylogenetic distinctiveness of the fauna. Described taxonomic diversity, even of terrestrial vertebrates, continues to increase.
Page 1. This article was downloaded by: [66.249.67.19] On: 11 July 2011, At: 00:44 Publisher: Tay... more Page 1. This article was downloaded by: [66.249.67.19] On: 11 July 2011, At: 00:44 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK ...
Variation at 39 allozyme loci in small samples of grey and mallard ducks from New Zealand showed ... more Variation at 39 allozyme loci in small samples of grey and mallard ducks from New Zealand showed no significant differentiation between populations and minimal heterozygosity (<0.010) in all populations. This finding is consistent with other observations of no allozyme differentiation among congeneric species of birds and with the conservative nature of allozyme divergence in birds generally. The data also suggest
... Miskelly, CM, Dowding, JE, Elliot, GP, Hitchmough, RA, Powlesland, RG, Robertson, HA, Sagar, ... more ... Miskelly, CM, Dowding, JE, Elliot, GP, Hitchmough, RA, Powlesland, RG, Robertson, HA, Sagar, PM, Scofield, RP and Taylor, GA. ... were considered by several experts outside the panel: John Engel, Matt von Konrat (Field Museum), Peter de Lange (DOC), Elizabeth Brown (NSW ...
We classify three New Zealand spiders (Araneae) as Threatened: Maloides cavernicola (Amaurobiidae... more We classify three New Zealand spiders (Araneae) as Threatened: Maloides cavernicola (Amaurobiidae) and Zealoctenus cardronaensis (Miturgidae) as Nationally Critical; and Maniho centralis (Amphinectidae) as Nationally Endangered. There are 155 At Risk taxa: Latrodectus katipo (Theridiidae) is Declining, seven taxa are R elict and a further 147 taxa are Naturally Uncommon. We classify 527 taxa as D ata D eficient. Since the last listing of Threatened spiders the number of species categorised as Threatened and At Risk has increased slightly (one and 28 taxa respectively) whereas the number categorised as Data Deficient has been reduced by 309 taxa. Not Threatened taxa have increased more than twofold to 403 taxa. Some biological factors that may affect the threat status of New Zealand spiders are briefly discussed.
The threat status of Diptera in New Zealand was assessed. Only one species, Gynoplistia pedestris... more The threat status of Diptera in New Zealand was assessed. Only one species, Gynoplistia pedestris (Tipulidae), is classified as Nationally Vulnerable. One species is Declining (Mystacinobia zelandica (Mystacinobiidae)), 144 are classified as Naturally Uncommon and a further 90 are Data Deficient. Most of the Diptera classified are described species, with seven undescribed taxa that are Naturally Uncommon and 11 undescribed taxa that are Data Deficient. Species not listed are either not threatened or too poorly known to make an assessment.
Although the New Zealand skink fauna is known to be highly diverse, a substantial proportion of t... more Although the New Zealand skink fauna is known to be highly diverse, a substantial proportion of the recognised species remain undescribed. We completed a taxonomic revision of the ornate skink (Oligosoma ornatum (Gray, 1843)) as a previous molecular study indicated that it represented a species complex. As part of this work we have resolved some nomenclatural issues involving this species and a similar species, O. aeneum (Girard, 1857). A new skink species, Oligosoma roimata sp. nov., is described from the Poor Knights Islands, off the northeast coast of the North Island of New Zealand. This species is diagnosed by a range of morphological characters and genetic differentiation from O. ornatum. The conservation status of the new taxon appears to be of concern as it is endemic to the Poor Knights Islands and has rarely been seen over the past two decades.
The terrestrial New Zealand fauna has developed on an ancient landmass of continental origins tha... more The terrestrial New Zealand fauna has developed on an ancient landmass of continental origins that has had an increasingly isolated existence since the late Mesozoic. As a continental remnant, New Zealand harbours survivors of many ancient lineages many of which were once far more widely distributed. But New Zealand's fauna also resembles that of an isolated archipelago: many higher taxa are missing; some have undergone extensive radiations in situ; and levels of endemism approach 100% in many groups. Ecologically, the fauna is characterized by frequent niche shifts, gigantism, and extended life histories with low reproductive rates, factors that make many species vulnerable to human disturbance. Data continue to amass supporting the ecophysiological as well as phylogenetic distinctiveness of the fauna. Described taxonomic diversity, even of terrestrial vertebrates, continues to increase.
Page 1. This article was downloaded by: [66.249.67.19] On: 11 July 2011, At: 00:44 Publisher: Tay... more Page 1. This article was downloaded by: [66.249.67.19] On: 11 July 2011, At: 00:44 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK ...
Variation at 39 allozyme loci in small samples of grey and mallard ducks from New Zealand showed ... more Variation at 39 allozyme loci in small samples of grey and mallard ducks from New Zealand showed no significant differentiation between populations and minimal heterozygosity (<0.010) in all populations. This finding is consistent with other observations of no allozyme differentiation among congeneric species of birds and with the conservative nature of allozyme divergence in birds generally. The data also suggest
... Miskelly, CM, Dowding, JE, Elliot, GP, Hitchmough, RA, Powlesland, RG, Robertson, HA, Sagar, ... more ... Miskelly, CM, Dowding, JE, Elliot, GP, Hitchmough, RA, Powlesland, RG, Robertson, HA, Sagar, PM, Scofield, RP and Taylor, GA. ... were considered by several experts outside the panel: John Engel, Matt von Konrat (Field Museum), Peter de Lange (DOC), Elizabeth Brown (NSW ...
We classify three New Zealand spiders (Araneae) as Threatened: Maloides cavernicola (Amaurobiidae... more We classify three New Zealand spiders (Araneae) as Threatened: Maloides cavernicola (Amaurobiidae) and Zealoctenus cardronaensis (Miturgidae) as Nationally Critical; and Maniho centralis (Amphinectidae) as Nationally Endangered. There are 155 At Risk taxa: Latrodectus katipo (Theridiidae) is Declining, seven taxa are R elict and a further 147 taxa are Naturally Uncommon. We classify 527 taxa as D ata D eficient. Since the last listing of Threatened spiders the number of species categorised as Threatened and At Risk has increased slightly (one and 28 taxa respectively) whereas the number categorised as Data Deficient has been reduced by 309 taxa. Not Threatened taxa have increased more than twofold to 403 taxa. Some biological factors that may affect the threat status of New Zealand spiders are briefly discussed.
The threat status of Diptera in New Zealand was assessed. Only one species, Gynoplistia pedestris... more The threat status of Diptera in New Zealand was assessed. Only one species, Gynoplistia pedestris (Tipulidae), is classified as Nationally Vulnerable. One species is Declining (Mystacinobia zelandica (Mystacinobiidae)), 144 are classified as Naturally Uncommon and a further 90 are Data Deficient. Most of the Diptera classified are described species, with seven undescribed taxa that are Naturally Uncommon and 11 undescribed taxa that are Data Deficient. Species not listed are either not threatened or too poorly known to make an assessment.
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