54 A new genus and species of lizard (Squamata, Scincidae) from New Caledonia, Southwest Pacific *, ** *** Ross A. SADLIER Glenn M. SHEA & Aaron M. BAUER * Section of Herpetology, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney 2000, NSW, Australia ** Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia *** Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA ABSTRACT A new genus and species of skink, Lacertoides pardalis, is described from two specimens collected in southern New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific. This species is a member of the Eugongylus group, but is not readily assignable to any known genus. The most notable of its several derived characteristics is the extraordinarily large number of small body scales. RESUME Un nouveau genre et une nouvelle espece de scinque, Lacertoides pardalis, sont decrits sur deux specimens recoltes dans le sud de la Nouvelle-Caledonie, sud-ouest du Pacifique. L'espece appartient au groupe Eugongylus, mais ne se place aisement dans aucun genre connu. Parmi plusieurs caracteres derives, le plus remarquable est le nombre extraordinairement eleve de petites ecailles corporelles. Although there is now considerable support for the monophyly of the Eugongylus group (Greer, 1979) of lygosomine skinks (Greer, 1974, 1979, 1989, 1990; Hutchinson, 1980, 1993; Hutchinson & Donnellan, 1993), the relationships of the genera within this group remain poorly Sadlier, R. A. G., Shea, M. & Bauer, A. M., 1997. — A new genus and species of lizard (Squamata, Scincidae) from New Caledonia, southwest Pacific. In : Najt, J. & Matile, L. (eds) , Zoologia Neocaledonica, Vol. 4. Mem. Mus. natn. Hist, nat., 171 : 379-385. Paris, ISBN 2-85653-505-4. Publie le 20 juin 1997 Source: MNHN. Paris 380 ROSS A SADLIER, GLENN M. SHEA & AARON M. BAUER resolved. Clades composed of several genera have been recognized on the basis of single synapomorphies: the beta palate (Greer, 1974) and fusion of the hemilaminae with the body of the atlas (Greer, 1989; the Pseudemoia group). The Australian content of the latter, more inclusive group was identified by Greer (1989), although he also included in the group unspecified New Caledonian and New Guinean taxa. The New Caledonian members of the group are (Greer, pers. comm.), Caledoniscincus, Graciliscincus, Nannoscincus, and Sigaloseps. Immunological studies by Hutchinson et al. (1990) aimed at elucidating relationships of the Australian members then assigned to the genus Leiolopisma, provided some support for the monophyletic nature of the Pseudemoia group in Australia. However this scheme of relationships differed from Greer’s in the inclusion of two genera (Bassinia and Morethia) and some species of Niveoscincus not possessing the synapomorphy of fusion of the hemilaminae to the body of the atlas, and also in the exclusion of non-Australian taxa from the Pseudemoia group. The clades and immunological groups identified by these characters, although not completely nested, at least provide some argument for special relationships among part of the Eugongylus group. Further, the genera within these clades are mostly polytypic and diagnosable by synapomorphies. However, the residual genera, which in the Pacific Basin consist of Cyclodina, Emoia, Eugongylus, Geoscincus, Marmorosphax, Lioscincus (the residual New Caledonian species formerly referred to « Leiolopisma»), Oligosoma, Phoboscincus, Tachygyia, and Tropidoscincus, are either undiagnosed by synapomorphies, are very small groups (1-2 species) of unknown affinities, or both.. The new skink described herein falls among this residue in lacking a beta palate and having atlantal hemilaminae distinct from body, but its relationships remain otherwise obscure. It does not readily fit within the morphotypes characteristic of any of the non-diagnosable genera, does not possess the synapomorphies of the diagnosable genera, yet possesses some apomorphic traits rare among skinks. Hence, it is here described as a new genus. SYSTEMATICS & BIOLOGY Lacertoides gen. nov. Type species: Lacertoides pardalis n. sp., here designated. Diagnosis: Lacertoides is identified as a member of the Eugongylus group of skinks (Greer, 1979; Hutchinson, 1993) by possessing the following suite of synapomorphies: parietals meet behind interparietal; parietal bordered along lateral edge by a single temporal; presacral vertebrae > 26; Meckel's groove closed. Lacertoides can be further differentiated from the Sphenomorphus group (Greer, 1979) by lacking the derived state of medial preanal scales enlarged and overlapping the adjacent lateral preanal scales (Greer, 1979; 1990). Greer (1979) identified a single row of scales on the dorsal surface of fourth toe throughout its length and 11 or more premaxillary teeth as further synapomorphies for the Eugongylus group. Lacertoides lacks both states, having the basal five or six dorsal scales of fourth toe divided, and nine premaxillary teeth. Whether these represent retained primitive states or reversals is unknown in the absence of knowledge of its relationships within the group. Within the Eugongylus group, Lacertoides possesses the following suite of derived character states: very small body scales (midbody scale rows 68 or >); complete row of subocular scales; nuchals fragmented; frontoparietals fused; lower eyelid with a semi-transparent disc; presacral vertebrae 29. Of these features, only the Emoia adspersa group (as defined by Brown, 1991), Tachygyia Mittleman, Phoboscincus bocourti (Brocchi), and Oligosoma otagoense (McCann) have small body Source. MNHN. Paris A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF LEZARD FROM NEW CALEDONIA 381 scales (> 55 rows around the body; Greer, 1976; Hardy, 1977; Brown, 1991). The first three taxa also have fused frontoparietals. Tachygyia further shares a complete row of subocular scales, while P. bocourti also shares fragmented nuchals and an elevated number of presacral vertebrae (30). However, Tachygyia and P. bocourti both have scaled lower eyelids, while Tachygyia also retains the primitive number of presacral vertebrae (27) for the Eugongylus group. Derivatio nominis: the generic name alludes to the superficial resemblance to some lizards of the genus Lacerta (family Lacertidae), due to the combination of large head shields, small body scales, and ocellated color pattern. The gender is masculine (Article 30(b) of the Code of Zoological Nomenclature). Lacertoides par dull s n. sp. (Figs 1-2) Type material: holotype ?, Australian Museum Sydney (AMS) R148050 (R. Sadlier & G. Shea), lower slopes of Kwa Neie, 28.ix.1995. Paratype MNHN 1996.2662, same collection data as holotype. Diagnosis: species diagnosis same as for genus. Description: measurements’, snoul to vent length (SVL) 68-70; paravertebral scales (from parietals to opposite vent) 102 mm (holotype), 75 mm (paratype); distance from axilla to 148-157. groin 54.7-56.9% of SVL; distance from forelimb to snout Scales on top of fourth finger 16-17; lamellae beneath 38.2-40.0% of SVL; hindlimb length 49.0-50.7% of SVL. fourth finger 19-22; scales on top of fourth toe 23-25, basal Scalation: definitions follow Sadlier (1986). Frontonasal 5-7 divided; lamellae beneath fourth toe 32-33, broad and as broad as long (W/L = 95.0-114.9%); prefrontals mode¬ smooth. rately large, narrowly separated to narrowly contacting; Dentition (holotype only): premaxillary teeth 9; maxillary frontal longer than wide (W/L = 79.7-83.3%); frontoparie¬ teeth 17-18; dentary teeth 20-21. Teeth peg-like. tals fused; interparietal distinct; parietals each bordered by Osteology: presacral vertebrae 29; postsacral vertebrae 61 two or three small scales and a single upper secondary (holotype); phalangeal formula for manus and pes 2.3.4.5.3 temporal scale; primary temporal usually fragmented to form and 2.3.4.5.4 respectively; pairs of mesosternal ribs contac¬ two near equal sized scales (R148050 right single); upper ting mesosternum two. No ectopterygoid process. secondary temporal single; lower secondary temporals Color and pattern: dorsal surface featuring a pattern of usually single (R148050 left divided into two); tertiary dull, pale, olive-grey, dark centered ocelli on a darker temporals usually two; postlabials three, two small scales olive-grey background between the fore and hindlimbs. This lowermost and a single large scale uppermost. pattern becomes obscure anteriorly and tends to blend, Nasals moderately large, each usually with a postnasal becoming midbrown marked with pale longitudinal spots (the suture (R148051 right side crease only) and usually bordered remnants of the pale rings) at the nape and head. On the side above by a distinct supranasal scale (R148050 right supra- of the body the dorsal pattern continues but progressively nasal fused to nasal); loreals two; upper and lower preocular breaks up ventrally, merging with the ventral pattern along present; complete subocular row of scales; supraciliaries 7-8; the ventrolateral margin. Posteriorly, around the level of the upper labials eight; lower labials 7-9; postmental contacting- hindlimbs, both the pale ocelli and dark ground color merge first two on each side; enlarged pairs of chinshields three, first and are gradually replaced by a regular pattern of alternating pair in broad contact, second pair separated by two scales, broad dark (2-3 scales width) and narrow pale (1-1.5 scales third pair separated by five scales, all chinshields contacting width) crossbars along the length of the tail. Ventral surface lower labials. white with a pattern of narrow (approximately 2 scales width) Lower eyelid with an obvious, centrally located semi¬ reticulate markings over the entire ventral surface of the transparent disc, length approximately 30% of total eye body, obscure (basally) to absent (distally) below the tail. length. Soles of feet and hands dark, finger and toe lamellae dark. Ear opening moderately large and with 4-5 lobules. Tongue (in preservative) grey distally, pale basally. Perito¬ Body scales smooth, midbody scale rows approximately neum dark. Type locality: Kwa Neie. Distribution and habitat: both specimens were collected from beneath large rocks embedded in a soil matrix, exposed in a road cutting on the lower slopes of Kwa Neie (Figs 3-4), a tall hill (summit 367 m above sea level) in the far south of the island. The surrounding habitat was low maquis on red lateritic soils with numerous low rock outcroppings. The holotype was observed active in overcast conditions retreating from the top of a large rock to a crevice and burrow beneath from which it was Source: MNHN, Paris 382 ROSS A SADLIER, GLENN M. SHEA & AARON M. BAUER Fig. I. — Holotype (upper) of Lacerioides pardalis n. sp. (AMS 148050), showing dark ventral markings (lower). Source: MNHN, Paris A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF LEZARD FROM NEW CALEDONIA 383 dug out. The paratype was observed at the entrance of a burrow/crevice beneath a large rock in the face of the cutting. The tail of a third individual was observed in a crevice beneath rocks on the face of the cutting where it passed through closed forest approaching the upper slopes of the mountain. Locally sympatric skink species in rainfo¬ rest habitat of the general area include the crepuscular species Marmorosphax tricolor and Sigaloseps deplanchei, and the diurnal surface active species Caledoniscincus austrocaledonicus, Caledoniscincus atropimctatus, and Tropidoscin- cus rohssii. The maquis habitat of the type locality was not generally collected but is likely to contain at the very least Caledoniscincus austro¬ caledonicus. Discussion: the area from which Lacertoi¬ des pardalis was collected has only received very superficial attention from herpetologists. As far as we are aware the only herpetologists to previously visit the general area and collect specimens were Bauer and Wishmeyer in 1985, who made a small collection from mainly rain¬ forest habitat near the base of Kwa Neie. This collection also contains most of the sympatric species listed above and does not add to that list. Even less field research has been undertaken in the maquis habitat of the Plaine des Lacs region. From the limited observations we were Fig. 2. — Lateral and dorsal view of the head of Lacertoides able to make on the new species it appears to pardalis n. sp. (AMS 148050). show a degree of dependance on rock outcrops or their equivalent for sheltering sites. Such habitat was generally confined to the dry ranges of the Plaine des Lacs. Kwa Neie is part of a relatively small (approximately 5 km length) and apparently isolated north-south running range in the far south of the island. At this stage it is unknown whether Lacertoides pardalis is restricted to the range on which Kwa Neie is situated or whether it also occurs in similar rocky habitat in the region. Either way it is likely to have one of the more restricted distributions of the New Caledonian skink fauna. On the information presently available we consider Lacertoides pardalis is uncommon with a potentially limited distribution. The general area from which the species is known has been exploited for minerals in past, and is likely to be considered for mining in the future. Field research to determine the distribution, habitat requirements, and relative abundance of the species is required before an assessment of its present status and the likely impact of future development in the region can be made. Derivatio nominis: the species epithet is from the Latin pardalis, a leopard, alluding to the ocellated color pattern. It is a noun in apposition. Source: 384 ROSS A SADLIER, GLENN M. SHEA & AARON M. BAUER Fig. 3. Type locality of Lacertoides pardalis n. sp. (closed circle) in southern New Caledonia. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors thank the New Caledonian authorities for permission to collect and conduct research in New Caledonia, particularly Monsieur M. Boulet, Chef du Service de l'Environnement et de la Gestion des Parcs et Reserves. Funding for Field research in New Caledonia in September 1995 was provided by the French Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres (French-Australian Scientific Cooperation Fund) through ORSTOM Noumea. Logistical support and encouragement was provided by Jean Chazeau of ORSTOM (Centre de Noumea), and Alain Renevier and family. P. A. Koshland produced the illustration of the head shields. Allen Greer reviewed the manuscript. Special thanks are due to Herve Jourdan for his assistance during the course of fieldwork in September 1995. REFERENCES Brown W. C., 1991. — Lizards of the Genus Emoia (Scincidae) with Observations on Their Evolution and Biogeography. Memoirs of the California Academy of Sciences, 15:1-94. Greer A. E., 1974. The generic relationships of the scincid lizard genus Leiolopisma and its relatives. Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Series (31): 1-67. Greer A. E., 1976. — On the evolution of the giant Cape Verde scincid lizard Macroscincus coctei. Journal of Natural History, 10: 691-712. J y Greer A. E., 1979. — A Phylogenetic Subdivision of Australian Skinks. Records of the Australian Museum, 32 (8): 339-371. Source: A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF LEZARD FROM NEW CALEDONIA 385 Fig. 4. — Habitat at the type locality for Lacertoides pardalis n. sp., a road cutting through maquis on the lower slopes of Kwa Neie. Greer A. E., 1989. The Biology and Evolution of Australian Lizards. Surrey Beatty & Sons: Chipping Norton NSW, 264 pp. Greer A. E., 1990. — Overlap Pattern in the Preanal Scale Row: An Important Systematic Character in Skinks. Journal of Herpetology, 24 (3): 328-330. Hardy G. S. 1977. The New Zealand Scincidae (Reptilia: Lacertilia); a taxonomic and zoogeographic study. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 4: 221-325. Hutchinson M. N. 1980. — The systematic relationships of the genera Egernia and Tiliqua (Lacertilia: Scincidae). A review and immunological reassessment, pp. 176-193 in Banks, C. B. & Martin, A. A. (eds). Proceedings of the Melbourne Herpetological Symposium. Zoological Board of Victoria, Parkville, ix 4- 199 pp. Hutchinson M. 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