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Burriel-Carranza, Bernat, Mazuch, Tomáš, Estarellas, Maria, Talavera, Adrián, Riaño, Gabriel, Koppetsch, Thore, Tamar, Karin, Tejero-Cicuéndez, Héctor, Saadi, Saleh Al, Busais, Salem, Kratochvíl, Lukáš, Shobrak, Mohammed, Šmíd, Jiří, Carranza, Salvador (2023): Pristurus guweirensis Haas, 1943 (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae): the most abundant and widely distributed species of Pristurus previously referred to as Pristurus sp. 1. Zootaxa 5297 (4): 594-599, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5297.4.9, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5297.4.9

LOBULIA VOGELKOPENSIS SP. NOV. VOGELKOP MOSS SKINK (FIG. 15; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: DEBCBB9C-06A3-4E33-B425-C4885ABA72BA Holotype: BPBM 6917 (field tag MCT 3820), adult male, collected by M.C. Thompson at Kampong Sururae, Lake Anggi Giji, 1.36°S, 133.856°E (WGS 84), (“ 6200 ft ”=) 1890 m a.s.l., Arfak Mts, West Papua Province, Indonesia, 8 March 1963. Paratypes (N = 2): Indonesia: West Papua Province: Arfak Mts: same locality as holotype (BPBM 6919–20; one male, one female). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Lobulia (adult SVL 56.0– 58.3 mm), characterized by the unique combination of frontoparietals unfused; supraorbital ridges not pronounced; posteriormost supralabial fragmented by horizontal suture; nuchals single pair; paravertebral scales 69–77; mid-body scale rows 34–36; 4 th digit on front foot no longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 19–23 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–4 on 4 th toe; mid-dorsum irregularly spotted with small to medium-sized dark brown spots continuing onto tail; light brown dorsolateral stripes present, either fragmented or continuous, framed medially by dark brown spots; flanks dark brown flecked with small white spots; unfragmented light brown lateral stripes present; in preservative, uniform light brown coloration on abdomen, thighs, precloacal region, tail and chin that lacks brown spotting; palmar and plantar surfaces light brown. Comparisons: Lobulia vogelkopensis differs from Lo. brongersmai and Lo. marmorata in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It differs from all other species of Lobulia in having a higher count of paravertebral scales (69–77 vs. 46–68 in all others) and irregularly placed small dark brown spots on the dorsum (vs. one or two mid-dorsal rows of large dark brown spots). Lobulia vogelkopensis further differs from Lo. elegans and Lo. fortis in having light brown lateral stripes (vs. absent). Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, separated from frontal by prefrontal contact; prefrontals large, in narrow medial contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior three in contact with frontal, posterior two in contact with frontoparietals; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in narrow contact with frontal; interparietal of roughly similar area to single frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals single pair, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale. Anterior loreal smaller than posterior loreal, higher than long; posterior loreal longer than high; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presuboculars two; postsuboculars three, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc considerably smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries nine, anteriormost not in contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporals two, lower interdigitated between sixth and seventh supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid, posteriormost fragmented by horizontal suture; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large and oval shaped, with lobules along anterior margin. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials eight; enlarged chin shields four pairs, the first two pairs in medial contact, third pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, fourth pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with antepenultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 34 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 77; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two paired rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 23, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 15), base dorsal coloration coppery brown, with many irregularly placed dark brown spots no more than a single scale long or wide, continuing along dorsum and tail; light brown unfragmented dorsolateral stripes present, framed medially by row of dark brown spots one to two scales long; lateral field dark brown, speckled with light brown spots a single scale wide; light brown unfragmented lateral stripe present, extending from ear opening to hindlimbs; head similar in coloration to dorsum; dark brown spotting present on head scales; ventral, palmar and plantar surfaces uniform light brown. Variation: Adult body size 56.0– 58.3 mm SVL (mean = 57.4, SD = 1.2, N = 3). Single female (58.3 mm) larger than both males (56.0– 57.8 mm). Forelimbs 35.7– 41.3% of SVL (mean = 37.7%, SD = 3.2, N = 3). Hindlimbs 41.6–47.8% of SVL (mean = 45.0%, SD = 3.1, N = 3). Scale rows at midbody 34–35 (mean = 35, SD = 1, N = 3); paravertebral scales 69–77 (mean = 72.7, SD = 4, N = 3). Lamellae under 4th toe 19–23 (mean = 21, SD = 2, N = 3); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–4 (mean = 3.3, SD = 0.6, N = 3). BPBM 6920 has nuchals as wide as long; primary nuchals separated from secondary temporals by two smaller intercalated scale on left side and one on right. Supraciliaries eight with anteriormost in narrow contact with frontal in BPBM 6920, nine with anteriormost not in contact with frontal in BPBM 6917 and 6919. Presubocular single in BPBM 6920, two in BPBM 6917 and 6919. Primary temporal single in BPBM 6919 and 6920, two in BPBM 6917. Supralabials seven in BPBM 6917 and 6920, eight in BPBM 6919. Infralabials seven in BPBM 6920, eight in BPBM 6917 and 6919. Infralabials posterior to contact with chin shields, one in BPBM 6920, two in BPBM 6917 and 6919. Colour pattern generally similar to holotype, but size of dark brown spots varies between individuals, and BPBM 6920 has fragmented dorsolateral stripes. Etymology: Suffixed form of Vogelkop with the Latin –ensis, denoting place, in reference to the Vogelkop, Dutch for ‘Bird’s Head Peninsula’, West Papua, in reference to where the type series was collected. Distribution: Known only from the type locality in the Arfak Mountains of West Papua Province, Indonesia. Remarks: Genetic data for Lo. vogelkopensis are not available. Furthermore, it is only known from the Arfak Mts, almost 1000 km west of the other currently described species of Lobulia, although this gap in distribution likely represents a lack of sampling in Indonesian New Guinea rather than an actual absence. Therefore, the exact phylogenetic relationship of this species to other species of Lobulia is uncertain. However, based on its scalation (unfused frontoparietals) and general coloration, Lo. vogelkopensis is likely more closely related to Lo. elegans and its related species rather than to Lo. brongersmai and Lo. marmorata, and the presence of light coloured lateral stripes suggests an affinity to Lo. huonensis and Lo. lobulus. Reproduction: Viviparous. Only a single gravid female was collected, with a litter size of two, but litter size is presumably variable in this species, as in other members of the genus. Conservation status: Population size and trend unknown. The three specimens are only known from a single location, with an area of occupancy of a single 4 km 2 cell. The type locality is roughly 13 km from a protected area, the Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve. No records of the species exist later than the 1960s, and Indonesian New Guinea is poorly sampled. Therefore, an assessment of this species will require more information than is currently available, and we recommend assigning a status of Data Deficient to Lo. vogelkopensis., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 259-260, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695

NUBEOSCINCUS GEN. NOV. (CLADE III) (FIG. 5, SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIGS S6, S 8; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 21B16380-F7EE-48CF-806C-699AAC63F491 Type species: Lobulia glacialis Greer et al., 2005. Herpetological Monographs 19: 153–179. Diagnosis: Medium-sized (adult SVL 47.4–64.0 mm) terrestrial skinks with short limbs (forelimbs 28.7– 34.4% of SVL, hindlimbs 34.6–38.6% of SVL); lobules either present or absent from anterior edge of ear opening; two pairs of chin shields in medial contact; two supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials; lower eyelid with window of variable size, opaqueness and scaliness; temporal region fragmented (> 3 scales); nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals unfused; viviparous; litter size up to three. Nubeoscincus differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood serum and tissues (Greer, 1974), a prehensile tail with a glandular tip and basally expanded subdigital lamellae. It differs from Lobulia and Papuascincus by having the chin shields separated from the infralabials by a row of genials (vs. chin shields abutting infralabials) and by having a fragmented temporal region (vs. the standard three-scale arrangement). It further differs from Papuascincus by having two pairs of chin shields in medial contact (vs. one), unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals, a viviparous (vs. oviparous) reproductive mode and an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale. Etymology: A combinatorial noun derived from the Latin nouns nubes, cloud, and scincus, a type of lizard, in reference to the extremely high elevations at which species in this genus occur. Species included: Nubeoscincus glacialis (Greer et al., 2005) comb. nov.; Nubeoscincus stellaris (Greer et al., 2005) comb. nov. Distribution: Both species of Nubeoscincus occur at extremely high elevations from the western New Guinea Highlands to the western (Indonesian) parts of the island and are known from extremely limited distributions: N. glacialis near Puncak Jaya in the Sudirman Range, Papua Province (Indonesia), and N. stellaris from the Star Mountains in West Sepik Province (Papua New Guinea).

ORNITHUROSCINCUS GEN. NOV. (CLADE VII) (FIGS 5, 16–24; SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIGS S6, S 8; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: D473AA5B-791E-4C76-A5A9-AE75D78958C0 Type species: Lobulia sabini Kraus, 2020. Zootaxa 4779(2): 201–214. Diagnosis: Small to medium-sized (adult SVL 29.4– 69.2 mm) terrestrial to semi-arboreal skinks with short limbs (forelimbs 25.7–36.3% of SVL, hindlimbs 29–47.3% of SVL); lobules absent from anterior edge of ear opening; a single pair of chin shields in medial contact; two supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields abutting infralabials; lower eyelid with semitransparent window; standard three-scale temporal region; nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals either fused or unfused; viviparous; litter size 1–3. Ornithuroscincus differs from all other genera apart from Nubeoscincus by the absence of lobules from the anterior edge of the ear (vs. lobules present)—a character which in Nuboescincus only occurs in one species, N. stellaris. It further differs from Alpinoscincus, Lobulia, Nubeoscincus and Prasinohaema by having one pair of chin shields in medial contact (vs. two pairs). It further differs from Alpinoscincus, Nubeoscincus and Prasinohaema by the chin shields abutting the infralabials (vs. chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials) and by having the standard three-scale temporal region (vs. fragmented temporal region). It further differs from Alpinsocincus by having two (vs. three) supralabials posterior to the subocular supralabial. It further differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood serum and tissues, a prehensile tail with a glandular tip and basally expanded subdigital lamellae. It further differs from Palaia and Papuascincus by its viviparous (vs. oviparous) reproductive mode. It further differs from Palaia by lacking basally slightly expanded subidigtal lamellae. It further differs from Papuascincus by having an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale. It further differs from Alpinoscincus by having the lower eyelid with a semi-transparent window (vs. scaly). Etymology: A combined noun formed from the Latinized Greek nouns ornis, bird, and oura, tail, appended to the Latin noun scincus, a type of lizard, referring to the centre of distribution of the genus, as most species occur in the Papuan Peninsula, also known as the Bird’s Tail in reference to the general shape of New Guinea resembling a bird-of-paradise. Species included: Ornithuroscincus albodorsalis (Vogt, 1932) comb. nov.; Ornithuroscincus noctua (Lesson, 1830) comb. nov.; Ornithuroscincus nototaenia (Boulenger, 1914) comb. nov.; Ornithuroscincus sabini (Kraus, 2020) comb. nov.; and new species described below. Species incertae sedis: Lipinia venemai (Brongersma, 1953a) possesses many traits the combination of which is uniquely found among New Guinean skinks in Ornithuroscincus, including viviparity, lacking lobules on the anterior edge of the ear opening, two supralabials posterior to the subocular supralabial, lower eyelid with a semi-transparent window, separated frontoparietals, chin shields abutting the infralabials, a standard three-scale temporal region, and an undivided nasal scale. However, the holotype of Li. venemai differs from all other members of Ornithuroscincus in having two pairs of chin shields in medial contact (vs. one). Since genetic data for this species are unavailable, we tentatively place it as incertae sedis in Ornithuroscincus but stress that more work is required to fully ascertain its generic affiliation. Distribution: Most species in the genus have a montane distribution in the Papuan Peninsula, and appear to have narrow distributions restricted to one or a few adjacent mountains. The lowland species appear to be far more widespread, both in New Guinea and elsewhere. Ornithuroscincus albodorsalis is known from West Sepik Province (Papua New Guinea), north of the Central Cordillera; O. nototaenia is known from the Setakwa River in Papua Province (Indonesia) and from the Palmer River in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea (Shea, 2008), both localities south of the Central Cordillera of New Guinea. Ornithuroscincus cf. venemai is known from Ajamaroe in the Vogelkop Peninsula, West Papua Province, Indonesia. Ornithuroscincus noctua is widespread throughout the northern versant of New Guinea, as well as across many islands in the Pacific Ocean, but it is clearly a species complex in need of taxonomic resolution [see also Zweifel (1979) and Austin (1999) for discussions of morphological and genetic variation in O. noctua]. Remarks: Several of the species assigned to this genus have been previously assigned to a different genus by Raymond Hoser, an act which would give Hoser’s generic name priority. However, we follow Kaiser et al.’s recommendation and completely disregard Hoser’s nomenclature due to his broad acts of taxonomic vandalism, which do not stand up to even the slightest level of scientific standard or scrutiny (Kaiser et al., 2013). Ornithuroscincus albodorsalis had been previously sampled genetically and found to be phylogenetically closest to O. noctua (Rodriguez et al., 2018). However, no other members of Ornithuroscincus were sampled in that study. Furthermore, O. nototaenia is only known from the Setakwa River and the Palmer River, south of the Central Cordillera and far from all other recognized species in the genus (Boulenger, 1914; Wollaston, 1914; Shea, 2008). Similarly, O. cf. venemai has only been recorded from the Vogelkop Peninsula (Brongersma, 1953a) and has never been collected since. Therefore, the relationships between O. albodorsalis, O. nototaenia, O. cf. venemai and other members of the genus, remain to be resolved. Molecular evidence suggests that a further undescribed species not treated herein occurs in Vori Vori, a foothills site in proximity to the Kokoda Track in the Papuan Peninsula, but the voucher (BPBM 48589) was unavailable for morphological examination at the time of writing, and so we refrain from formally describing it. Furthermore, O. noctua likely represents a species complex, but revising it is beyond the scope of the current work., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 241-243, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Kraus F. 2020. A new species of Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea. Zootaxa 4779: 201 - 214.","Vogt T. 1932. Beitrag zur Reptilienfauna der ehemaligen Kolonie Deutsch-Neuguinea. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin 1932: 281 - 294.","Boulenger GA. 1914. An annotated list of the batrachians and reptiles collected by the British Ornithologists' Union Expedition and the Wollaston Expedition in Dutch New Guinea. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London 20: 247 - 275.","Brongersma LD. 1953 a. Notes on New Guinean reptiles and amphibians. I. Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (Series C) 56: 137 - 142.","Shea G. 2008. A range extension for Lipinia nototaenia (Boulenger, 1914) (Squamata: Scincidae) and the reproductive mode of the species. Hamadryad 32: 69 - 70","Zweifel RG. 1979. Variation in the scincid lizard Lipinia noctua and notes on other Lipinia from the New Guinea region. American Museum Novitates 2676: 1 - 21.","Austin CC. 1999. Lizards took the express train to Polynesia. Nature 397: 113 - 114.","Kaiser H, Crother BI, Kelly CMR, Luiselli L, O'Shea M, Ota H, Passos P, Schleip WD, Wuster W. 2013. Best practices: in the 21 st century, taxonomic decisions in herpetology are acceptable only when supported by a body of evidence and published via peer-review. Herpetological Review 44: 8 - 23.","Rodriguez ZB, Perkins SL, Austin CC. 2018. Multiple origins of green blood in New Guinea lizards. Science Advances 4: eaao 5017.","Wollaston AFR. 1914. An expedition to Dutch New Guinea. The Geographical Journal 43: 248 - 268."]}

ORNITHUROSCINCUS INORNATUS SP. NOV. PLAIN SMOOTH- EARED SKINK (FIGS 18–19; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 89DE7131-76CC-43C0-95CA-C41541C3563E Holotype: BPBM 41226 (field tag AA 21402), collected by A. Allison at Kesemani, 7.9372°S, 147.0544°E (WGS 84), 1733 m a.s.l., N slope of Mt Strong, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, 23 February 2012. Diagnosis: A moderate-sized species of Ornithuroscincus (adult SVL 47.9 mm), characterized by the unique combination of short limbs (forelimbs 32.7% of SVL, hindlimbs 41.2% of SVL); frontoparietals separate; nuchals two pairs; paravertebral scales 51; mid-body scale rows 35; 4 th digit on front foot no longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 21 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales three on 4 th toe; dorsal coloration uniform light brown; dorsolateral stripes present as thick, one to two scales wide, unfragmented stripes extending from orbital region to tail, becoming gradually thicker posteriorly, pale brown in preservative, pale green-yellow in life; dark brown lateral field present, lightly speckled with spots, pale blue in preservative, light brown in life; lateral field breaking up to brown spots ventrally; ventral surfaces uniform pale blue in preservative, with dark brown spotting on the thighs, precloacal region and tail; in life, ventral surfaces are green-yellow, becoming lemon yellow on the thighs and base of tail; palmar and plantar surfaces light brown in preservative, dark yellow in life. Comparisons: Ornithuroscincus inornatus differs from O. bengaun in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It differs from O. albodorsalis, O. noctua, O. nototaenia and O. cf. venemai by having a uniform light brown dorsum with thick pale brown dorsolateral stripes (vs. uniform pale yellow dorsum, light brown dorsum with dark brown longitudinal stripes, pale yellow dorsum with single dark vertebral stripe or dark olive grey dorsum powdered with brown with thick white dorsolateral stripes, respectively), by lacking a parietal eye spot (vs. present) and by having a higher count of midbody scale rows (35 vs. 22–26, 23–28, 24–25 and 24–26, respectively; Brongersma, 1953a; Zweifel, 1979; Shea & Greer, 2002). It further differs from O. noctua by lacking a light yellow to white patch on the occiput. It differs from O. sabini in having uniform dorsal coloration (vs. spotted). Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anteriorly towards snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, in narrow contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated medially by frontonasal and frontal contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, anteriorly in contact with frontal; interparietal smaller than single frontoparietal, diamond shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and pretemporals; nuchals two pairs, transversely enlarged, followed by a third enlarged nuchal on the left side, wider than long, anteriormost pair separated from secondary temporal by a single smaller intercalated scale. Anterior loreal higher than posterior loreal, higher than long; posterior loreal roughly as high as long; lower preocular rectangular shaped; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars two, lower interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost in narrow contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between penultimate and posteriormost supralabial; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening large and oval shaped, without lobules. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials six; enlarged chin shields three pairs, the first pair in medial contact, second pair narrowly separated by a single medial scale, third pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 35 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 51; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 21, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 18), dorsum uniform light coppery brown, extending to tail; dorsolateral stripes present as broad (1–2 scales wide) unfragmented pale brown stripes extending from orbital region to tail, gradually becoming thicker posteriorly, bordered medially by extremely light speckling of small dark brown spots; dorsolateral stripes bordered laterally by dark brown field, extending from preorbital region through eye to base of tail, above level of limbs; dark brown lateral field lightly speckled by pale blue spots, becomes gradually lighter ventrally before breaking up into irregularly placed small dark brown spots on pale blue background; head scales light brown with small, infrequent dark brown spots on margins, paler on snout; ventral surfaces uniformly pale blue with dark brown spotting on thighs, precloacal region and tail; palmar and plantar surfaces light brown. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces light brown and lateral field dark brown, as in preservative (Fig. 19). Dorsolateral stripes green-yellow. Ventral surfaces green-yellow, becoming lemon yellow on thighs and base of tail. Palmar and plantar surfaces dark yellow. Etymology: Combined masculine adjectival form of the Latin in, not, and ornatus, decorated, referring to its bland and simple colour pattern compared to other members of the genus. Distribution: Known from a single specimen collected at 1733 m a.s.l. on the northern slopes of Mt Strong, where it occurs in sympatry with at least two lineages of Papuascincus (V and VI) and Lo. fortis. Natural history: The single specimen that we collected was from around the village of Kesemani. The village, which is perched on a steep slope high above a river, included around ten bush material houses surrounded by anthropogenic grassland (see account for Lo. fortis). The lizard was active in the morning on a steep, c. 2 m high moss and lichen encrusted earthen bank along a walking track at the edge of the village. Conservation status: Only known from a single specimen. However, Mt Strong was well sampled, the village of Kesemani specifically was visited several times and no other O. inornatus were observed. Therefore, it appears to be rare compared to sympatric lizard taxa such as Lo. fortis or Papuascincus spp. This may suggest a small population size and restricted distribution, but more data are required for a proper assessment. It does not occur near any protected areas. We recommend assigning a status of Data Deficient to O. inornatus., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 261-263, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Brongersma LD. 1953 a. Notes on New Guinean reptiles and amphibians. I. Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (Series C) 56: 137 - 142.","Zweifel RG. 1979. Variation in the scincid lizard Lipinia noctua and notes on other Lipinia from the New Guinea region. American Museum Novitates 2676: 1 - 21.","Shea G, Greer AE. 2002. From Spehnomorphus to Lipinia: generic reassignment of two poorly known New Guinea skinks. Journal of Herpetology 36: 148 - 156."]}

KEY TO SPECIES IN ALPINOSCINCUS (ADAPTED FROM GREER ET AL., 2005) 1. (a) Subdigital lamellae 15–23; chin and throat similar in colour to rest of venter; presuboculars modally one; supralabials modally nine.................................................................. A. subalpinus — subalpine skink (b) Subdigital lamellae 12–19; chin and throat abruptly darker than rest of venter; presuboculars modally two; supralabials modally eight........................................................................... A. alpinus — alpine skink, Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on page 272, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695

LOBULIA LOBULUS (LOVERIDGE, 1945) CENTRAL RANGE MOSS SKINK (FIGS 6–8; TABLE 1) Ly g o s o m a (L e i o l o p i s m a) e l e g a n t o i d e s l o b u l u s Loveridge, 1945: 49. Type locality: Mt Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea. Lobulia lobulus, Kraus, 2020: 204. Material examined for rediagnosis: Papua New Guinea: Madang Province: Bismarck Range: Mt Wilhelm, 2286– 2438 m a.s.l. (“ 7500 to 8000 ft ”) (MCZ R-47067; male; holotype; photos only); Eastern Highlands Province: Daulo Pass, 6.0409°S, 145.2256°E (WGS 84), 2472 m a.s.l. (BPBM 2577, 2578; two juveniles); Chimbu Province: Bismarck Range: Denglagu, Mt Wilhelm, 5.8424°S, 145.0967°E (WGS 84), 2500 m a.s.l. (BPBM 3901, 3910; one male, one juvenile); Mt Wilhelm, above Keglsugl, 5.8071°S, 145.00631°E (WGS 84) (BPBM 6125–26; one male, one juvenile); vicinity of Keglsugl, 5.8311°S, 145.0981°E (WGS 84), 2652 m a.s.l. (BPBM 10811; juvenile); Western Highlands Province: Trika, 5.812°S, 145.095°E (WGS 84), 2200 m a.s.l. (BPBM 22976; female); Rondon Ridge, 5.8891°S, 144.2521°E (WGS 84), 1960 m a.s.l. (BPBM 47837; male); Hela Province: Ambua Lodge, Tari, 5.9616°S, 143.0677°E (WGS 84), 2100 m a.s.l. (BPBM 23058; female). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Lobulia (adult SVL 42.5–55.8 mm), characterized by the unique combination of frontoparietals unfused; supraorbital ridges usually not pronounced; nuchals 1–3 pairs; paravertebral scales 54–61; mid-body scale rows 32–40; 4 th digit on front foot longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 19–24 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–4 on 4 th toe; mid-dorsum with two rows of large dark brown spots on an olive green background typically joined to form two irregularly-shaped dark brown mid-dorsal stripes; top of tail base with two rows of large dark brown spots; fragmented white dorsolateral stripes present, extending from parietals to base of tail; flanks dark brown with light spots; unbroken white lateral stripes present, extending from occiput to hindlimbs; ventral coloration light blue on chin, occasionally speckled with dark brown spots, lemon-yellow on abdomen and base of tail in life, uniform light blue in preservative; thighs and precloacal region lack brown spotting; ventral surfaces of tail occasionally speckled with light brown spots; palmar and plantar surfaces lemon-yellow in life, light brown in preservative. Comparisons: Lobulia lobulus differs from Lo. brongersmai inhavingunfused(vs.fused) frontoparietals. It differs from Lo. elegans in having white dorsolateral stripes and lateral stripes (vs. absent), and in having higher counts of midbody scale rows (32–40 vs. 30–32) and paravertebral scales (54–61 vs. 52–54). Description: This description is based on photographs of the holotype (available online: https://mczbase. mcz.harvard.edu/guid/MCZ:Herp:R-47067) and our examinations of ten specimens in the BPBM collections. Adult body size 42.5–55.8 mm SVL (mean = 52.2, SD = 5.5, N = 5). Females (mean = 49.2, range: 42.5–55.8, SD = 9.4, N = 2) have larger maximal size than males (mean = 54.2, range: 53.7–55.0, SD = 0.7, N = 3), although Loveridge (1945) reports an SVL of 60 mm for the male holotype. Forelimbs 32.9–42.9% of SVL (mean = 39.6%, SD = 3.9, N = 5). Hindlimbs 42.0–51.5% of SVL (mean = 47.7%, SD = 3.7, N = 5). Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal, undivided in all but BPBM 6125; frontonasal large, with eight sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares; prefrontals large, either separated by frontonasal and frontal contact (N = 5) or in narrow contact (N = 4), rarely separated by a single azygous scale (N = 2), bordered lateroventrally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal roughly kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in narrow contact with frontal; interparietal of roughly similar area to single frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals 1–3 pairs, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale; nuchals typically symmetrical (N = 7), sometimes one more on left side (N = 3), rarely one more on right side (BPBM 40327). Anterior loreal smaller than posterior loreal, higher than long; posterior loreal usually longer than high; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars usually three (N = 8), occasionally four (N = 3), lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than the size of the ear opening; supraciliaries typically eight (N = 7), rarely seven (N = 2) or nine (N = 2), anteriormost usually not in contact with frontal (N = 7), sometimes in narrow contact (N = 4), posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporals typically one (N = 9), but rarely two (N = 2) with lower interdigitated between posterior two supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid, posteriormost fragmented by horizontal suture in BPBM 47837; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large, with lobules along anterior margin. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials typically seven (N = 7), occasionally eight (N = 4); enlarged chin shields four pairs, the first two pairs in medial contact, third pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, fourth pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial (N = 10), rarely with prepenultimate (N = 1). Body scales smooth, in 32–40 rows at midbody (mean = 35.3, SD = 2.4, N = 10); paravertebral scales 54–61 (mean = 57.7, SD = 2.6, N = 10); medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of fourth toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, 3–7 single scales (mean = 4, SD = 1.2, N = 10); subdigital lamellae under fourth toe 19–24 (mean = 21, SD = 1.6, N = 10), smooth. In preservative (Fig. 7), base dorsal coloration coppery brown, with two mid-dorsal parallel rows of large dark brown spots two to four scales long, typically joined to form irregular dark brown parallel stripes, extending to base of tail; two parallel rows of dark brown spots become smaller posteriorly on tail; dorsolateral stripes present as light brown or light blue fragmented stripes extending from occiput to base of tail; lateral field dark brown, speckled with light blue spots one to two single scales wide; unfragmented light blue lateral stripe present, extending from postsupralabials, across ear opening, to hind limbs; head similar in coloration to dorsum, with dark brown spotting, mostly in centre of scales and along scale margins; ventral surfaces uniform cream or light blue; light brown dusting occasionally present on chin and ventral surface of tail; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces light brown, contrasting with dark brown digits. In life (Figs 6, 8), dorsal colour coppery brown with black mid-dorsal spots; fragmented dorsolateral stripes, uniform lateral stripes and spots on lateral field pale yellow; chin light blue; ventral surfaces of chest, abdomen, thighs, precloacal region and tail lemon yellow, with tail becoming light blue posteriorly; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces dark yellow. Distribution: Known from several locations in the Central Ranges of Papua New Guinea at elevations 1960–2650 m a.s.l., mostly around the vicinity of Mt Wilhelm. It likely does not extend to the Huon Peninsula or the Owen Stanley Ranges, where it is replaced by two newly described species (see below) and Lo. elegans. Reproduction: Viviparous. Only a single gravid female was examined, with three embryos, but litter size is presumably variable in this species, as in other members of the genus. Conservation status: The species appears locally abundant although the population trend is unknown. Based on the sampled populations Lo. lobulus has an extent of occurrence of 4085 km 2 and an area of occupancy of 32 km 2 (based on occupation of 4 km 2 cells; both calculated using http://geocat.kew.org/). However, its distribution almost certainly encompasses more populations throughout the Central Ranges in suitable elevations, including many specimens already deposited in natural history collections, and the true area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are likely much larger than estimated here. The type locality is in the vicinity of a protected area, the Mount Wilhelm National Park, although the National Park only encompasses elevations> 3200 m, and it is unclear if Lo. lobulus occurs at such elevations. Since it is locally abundant, with no immediate direct threats to the species or indirect threats to its habitat or location, and because it likely occurs over a wide distribution range encompassing at least one protected area, we recommend assigning a status of Least Concern to Lo. lobulus, although its true distribution extent needs to be confirmed., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 243-249, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Loveridge A. 1945. New scincid lizards of the genera Tropidophorus and Lygosoma from New Guinea. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 58: 47 - 52.","Kraus F. 2020. A new species of Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea. Zootaxa 4779: 201 - 214."]}

ORNITHUROSCINCUS PTEROPHILUS SP. NOV. MOUNT VICTORIA SMOOTH- EARED SKINK (FIGS 16, 20–21; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 8D6F7129-1240-4F5A-B31E-0AD103CAA139 Holotype: BPBM 45705 (field tag AA 23742), adult female, collected by A. Allison at grasslands, 8.9592°S, 147.5745°E (WGS 84), 2813 m a.s.l., SE slopes of Mt Victoria, Northern (Oro) Province, Papua New Guinea, 15 August 2015. Paratypes (N = 17): Papua New Guinea: Central Province: Crest of Owen Stanley Mts along the Kokoda Track: 1900 Crossing Campsite, 9.1288°S, 147.7264°E (WGS 84), 1936 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44634–37, 44843–44, 44855; one male, three females, three juveniles); Myola 2 Guest House, 9.1509°S, 147.7675°E (WGS 84), 2076 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44859; juvnile); Northern (Oro) Province: Chopper Pad Camp, 8.9738°S, 147.5697°E (WGS 84), 2680 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45669, 45710–11; one male, one female, one juvenile); grasslands, 8.9554°S, 147.5764°E (WGS 84), 2805 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45704; female); grasslands, 8.9594°S, 147.5740°E (WGS 84), 2820 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45706; juvenile); 8.9585°S, 147.5751°E (WGS 84), 2817 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45713; male); 8.9591°S, 147.5743°E (WGS 84), 2836 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45714; male); 8.9585°S, 147.5753°E (WGS 84), 2814 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45715; female); 8.95919°S, 147.5742°E (WGS 84), 2830 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45716; female). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Ornithuroscincus (adult SVL 50.1–62.3 mm) characterized by the unique combination of short limbs (forelimbs 27.0–33.7% of SVL, hindlimbs 33.3–42.5% of SVL); frontoparietals unfused; nuchals 1–4 pairs; paravertebral scales 50–67; midbody scale rows 28–42; 4 th digit on front foot not longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 17–23 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–8 on 4 th toe; dorsum light brown with two to four more-or-less transverse longitudinal rows of dark brown to black spots of varying width, at their widest giving the impression of black base coloration with light brown striations, often joining to create two transverse rows of dark spots along tail; dark brown to black lateral stripe or field present; dorsolateral stripes present as thin (up to a single scale wide), unfragmented or zigzag light brown stripes extending from orbital region to tail; flanks marked with parallel fragmented light brown to white vertical bars extending ventrally from dorsolateral stripes; uniform coloration on abdomen, thighs and precloacal region, light to dark blue in preservative, lime green in life; brown spotting occasionally occurs on thighs and precloacal region; ventral surface of tail light to dark blue in preservative, lemon yellow in life, with occasional brown spotting; palmar and plantar surfaces light to dark brown in preservative, light or dark brown to lemon yellow in life. Comparisons: Ornithuroscincus pterophilus differs from O. bengaun in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It further differs from O. albodorsalis, O. noctua, O. nototaenia and O. cf. venemai in lacking a parietal eye spot (vs. present). It differs from O. inornatus and O. cf. venemai in having a light brown dorsum with dark spots and thin (up to a single scale wide) light brown dorsolateral stripes that are clearly distinguished from the base dorsal coloration [vs. uniformly light brown dorsum with thick (one to two scales wide) light brown dorsolateral stripes, extending in thickness towards the base of the tail, diffusely demarcated from the base dorsal coloration in O. inornatus; deep olive grey dorsum powdered with brown, with broad dorsolateral white stripes becoming broader posteriorly in O. cf. venemai (Brongersma, 1953a)]. Ornithuroscincus inornatus also lacks the parallel light brown vertical bars that occur on the flanks of O. pterophilus. It further differs from O. inornatus in slightly larger size (adult SVL 50.1–62.3 mm vs. 47.9 mm) and from O. cf. venemai by having a higher count of midbody scale rows (28–42 vs. 24–26; Brongersma, 1953a). Ornithuroscincus pterophilus is most similar in coloration to O. sabini, from which it differs in having less pronounced dorsolateral stripes, a flank pattern composed of parallel fragmented vertical bars (vs. scattered specks in O. sabini) and a blue (lime green in life) venter in preservative [vs. white venter in preservative (lemon yellow or white in life) in O. sabini]. Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, in narrow contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated by frontal and frontonasal contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal wedge shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in contact with posterior three supraoculars and anteriorly in contact with frontal; interparietal smaller than single frontoparietal, almost triangular shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and pretemporals; nuchals two pairs, transversely enlarged, at least twice as wide as long, anteriormost pair in contact with single secondary temporals. Anterior loreal similar in size to posterior loreal, both higher than long; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single and rectangular in shape; postsuboculars two, lower interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost in narrow contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between penultimate and posteriormost supralabial; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large and oval shaped, without lobules. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials six; enlarged chin shields three pairs, the first pair in medial contact, second pair narrowly separated by a single medial scale, third pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 42 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 60; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 20, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 20), dorsum light brown, with four transverse longitudinal rows of small dark brown spots no more than a single scale wide, lateralmost rows in contact with dorsolateral stripes and composed of larger spots, one to two scales long; dark brown spots gradually become smaller posteriorly until tail surface becomes uniformly light brown; dorsolateral stripes present in zigzag formation, no more than a single scale wide, extending continuously from orbital region to base of tail; dorsolateral stripes bordered laterally by dark brown fields extending to above limbs, these bordered ventrally by light grey field, itself bordered ventrally by blue venter; lateral fields marked with parallel vertical bars of pale blue spots one to two scales wide and long, extending from dorsolateral stripes ventrally; head similar to dorsum, with dark scale margins and some dark brown spotting, particularly in parietal region; slightly lighter on snout and supraciliaries; labials dark brown at margins and pale blue in centre; venter pale blue, with light brown dusting on proximal third of tail, thighs and precloacal region; palmar surfaces light brown, plantar surfaces white, digits dark brown. In life (Figs 16, 21), dorsal colour light brown, with pale yellow to white dorsolateral stripes; lateral field black dorsally, light brown ventrally, diffusing to ventral surfaces, with parallel heavily fragmented vertical bars extending ventrally from dorsolateral stripes, made up of pale yellow spots; chest and abdomen lime green; ventral surfaces of proximal third of tail, thighs and precloacal region lemon yellow; ventral surface of distal twothirds of tail white; palmar and plantar surfaces lemon yellow to dark brown. Variation: Adult body size 50.1–62.3 mm SVL (mean = 55.9, SD = 4.2, N = 12). Females (mean = 57.4, range = 51.6–62.3, SD = 3.8, N = 8) have larger average size than males (mean = 53.0, range = 50.1– 57.7, SD = 3.6, N = 4). Forelimbs 27.0–33.7% of SVL (mean = 30.4%, SD = 2.2, N = 12). Hindlimbs 33.3– 42.5% of SVL (mean = 38.0%, SD = 2.7, N = 12). Scale rows at midbody 28–42 (mean = 33.4, SD = 4.58, N = 18), with lower counts for specimens from the Kokoda Track (BPBM 44634–37, 44843–44, 44855 and 44859; range = 28–31) vs. Mt Victoria (BPBM 45669, 45704–06, 45710–11 and 45713–16; range = 30–42); paravertebral scales 50–67 (mean = 60.4, SD = 3.91, N = 18). Lamellae under 4th toe 17–23 (mean = 19.9, SD = 1.7, N = 18); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 4–8 (mean = 4.3, SD = 1.18, N = 18). Mostly 1–4 pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 44843 has two nuchals on left side and one on right and BPBM 44844 lacks nuchal on right side, with only single nuchal on left side. Nuchals typically wider than long but roughly as wide as long in BPBM 44635, 44844 and 45713. Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by single smaller intercalated scale (N = 13), rarely by two (N = 1) and occasionally by none (N = 4). Prefrontals either in narrow medial contact (N = 8) or separated by contact of frontal and frontonasal (N = 10). Nasal scale single in all but BPBM 44637, where nasal scale is divided by suture extending medioposteriorly from nostril. Presubocular almost always single (N = 16), but absent in BPBM 44843, and two in BPBM 44635. Supraciliaries either seven (N = 5) or eight (N = 13). Anteriormost supraciliary either in contact with frontal (N = 11) or not (N = 7). Postsuboculars usually two (N = 14), occasionally three (N = 4). Secondary temporals usually two (N = 13), but occasionally one (N = 4), and in BPBM 45713 three. Supralabials almost always seven (N = 16), rarely six (N = 2). Posteriormost supralabial fragmented by horizontal suture on left side in BPBM 44635. Infralabials usually six (N = 15), rarely seven (N = 2) or eight (N = 1). Dark brown spots on dorsum vary from small and hardly distinguishable (BPBM 44855) to large enough to form the appearance of dark brown base coloration (BPBM 45669 and 45710). In general, populations from higher elevations on Mt Victoria (BPBM 45669– 716) have darker dorsal coloration than populations from lower elevations along the Kokoda Track (BPBM 44634–859). Dorsolateral stripes distinct in all but BPBM 44843 and 44845, in which they are indistinguishable in preservative, but were extremely pale in life. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces light to dark coppery brown, with small to large dark brown to black spots in two to four more-or-less transverse rows, often extending into two transverse rows along tail (Figs 16, 21). Dorsolateral stripes pale yellow. Sides dark brown to jet black, diffusely giving way ventrally to lighter brown, marked with parallel vertical bars of pale white spots. Venter uniform lime green, often with lemon yellow on tail, precloacal region and thighs. Yellow occasionally absent (BPBM 44843) and lime-green ventral coloration can be pale (BPBM 44843 and 45710). Chin often paler than abdomen. Ventral surfaces of tail and precloacal region occasionally marked with dark brown spots. Juveniles appear to have bright orange tails. Palmar and plantar surfaces light or dark brown to lemon yellow. Etymology: Masculine Latinized compound adjective derived from the Greek pteris, fern, and philos, lover of, reflecting that most specimens collected on Mt Victoria were found sheltered between fronds of tree ferns. Distribution: Known only from 1936–2836 m a.s.l. in the south-eastern Owen Stanley Mountains, Papua New Guinea. Currently two populations are known: one from the south-eastern slopes of Mt Victoria (2680–2840 m a.s.l.) and one from the crest of the Owen Stanley Mountains along the Kokoda Track, at “1900 Crossing” (9.1288°S, 147.7264°E; WGS 84) and a single specimen from the nearby Myola dry lake beds. Presumably, O. pterophilus occurs more broadly around Mt Victoria in suitable habitats, but its exact distribution remains to be determined. Nevertheless, it is likely that, similar to most other species of Ornithuroscincus, its overall distribution is narrow. Natural history: On Mt Victoria, most animals were found in the Isuani Basin high-elevation grassland (> 2800 m a.s.l.), dominated by Gleichenia vulcanica Blume ferns, together with a variety of grasses and sedges, particularly Calamagrostis, Danthonia, Deschampsia, Gahnia and Poa together with Astelia (Asteliaceae). There are clumps of shrubs, particularly on the grassland margins, dominated by Gaultheria mundula F.Muell., Dimorphanthera spp., Rhododendron spp., Vaccinium amblyandrum F.Muell, Acrothamnus suaveolens (Hook.f.) Quinn and Hypericum spp. Animals were found sheltered between fronds of tree ferns (Alsophila spp.) during daytime hours, with air temperatures between 17 and 18°C. Animals were not observed as active, but this may have been due to drought conditions induced by the 2015–16 El Niño. Three animals were collected from regenerating cloud forest at slightly lower elevations (“Chopper Pad Camp”, 2680 m a.s.l.), also under shelter. The area had apparently been cleared 5–10 years previously and was dominated by second growth, particularly Decaspermum sp. and other myrtaceous shrubs and small trees. Nearby mature cloud forest was dominated by the conifer, Dacrycarpus compactus (Wasscher) de Laub., which forms nearly pure stands in many areas fringing the grassland. Reproduction: Viviparous. Litter size varies between 2–3 (mean 2.3, N = 4). Conservationstatus: Populationsizeandtrendunknown, but animals were not abundant in sampled localities. Based on the populations sampled herein, O. pterophilus has an extent of occurrence of 156 km 2 and an area of occupancy of 20 km 2 (based on occupation of 4 km 2 cells; both calculated using http://geocat.kew.org/). It does not occur near any protected areas. The species appears to be most common in high-elevation grasslands, and the availability of such habitats would therefore greatly impact its exact distribution boundaries. Shortly after the type series was collected there, the grasslands on Mt Victoria experienced extensive anthropogenically-caused bushfires exacerbated by a drought induced by the 2015–2016 El Niño. This likely damaged the habitat and thus the population there. Future warming and severe ENSO events due to climate change are likely to cause continued degradation of suitable habitat. Therefore, we recommend assigning a status of Endangered B1ab(iii) to O. pterophilus., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 263-265, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Brongersma LD. 1953 a. Notes on New Guinean reptiles and amphibians. I. Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (Series C) 56: 137 - 142."]}

PALAIA GEN. NOV. (CLADE IV) (FIG. 5; SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIG. S6; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 89741FC3-DB12-469F-8682-C4579D922488 Type species: Lygosoma pulchrum Boulenger, 1903. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1903(2): 125–129. Diagnosis: Small (adult SVL 37.3–41.2 mm) skinks with short limbs (forelimbs 29.9–34.4% of SVL, hindlimbs 36.7–43.8% of SVL); small lobules present on anterior edge of ear opening; single pair of chin shields in medial contact; two supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields abutting infralabials; lower eyelid with semi-transparent window; standard three-scale temporal region; nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals fused; oviparous; clutch size two; subdigital lamellae slightly expanded basally. Palaia differs from Nubeoscincus, Prasinohaema and Lobulia by having one pair of chin shields in medial contact (vs. two pairs) and an oviparous (vs. viviparous) reproductive mode. It further differs from Nubseoscincus and Lobulia by having slightly basally expanded subdigital lamellae. It further differs from Nubeoscincus and Prasinohaema by having the standard three-scale temporal region (vs. fragmented temporal region), the chin shields abutting the infralabials (vs. chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials) and fused (vs. unfused) frontoparietals. It further differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood serum (Greer, 1974) and tissues and a prehensile tail with a glandular tip. It differs from Papuascincus by having an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale and slightly basally expanded subdigital lamellae and by lacking pustulate eggshells. Etymology: Latinized feminine genus from the Tok Pisin palai, lizard. Species included: Palaia pulchra (Boulenger, 1903) comb. nov. Distribution: The single species in the genus is distributed widely across the lowlands of northern New Guinea., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 239-240, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Boulenger GA. 1903. Descriptions of new reptiles from British New Guinea. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1903: 125 - 129.","Greer AE. 1974. The generic relationships of the scincid lizard genus Leiolopisma and its relatives. Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series 31: 1 - 67."]}

ALPINOSCINCUS GEN. NOV. (CLADE VI) (FIG. 5; SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIGS S6, S 8; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k R e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: D473AA5B-791E-4C76-A5A9-AE75D78958C0 Type species: Lobulia alpina Greer et al., 2005. Herpetological Monographs 19(1): 153–179. Diagnosis: Medium-sized (adult SVL 46.1–72.7 mm) terrestrial to semi-arboreal skinks with moderate limbs (forelimbs 27.0–39.8% of SVL, hindlimbs 31.7–48.7% of SVL); small lobules present on anterior edge of ear opening; two pairs of chin shields in medial contact; modally three supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials; lower eyelid scaly; temporal region fragmented (> 3 scales); nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals unfused; viviparous; litter size 1–4. Alpinoscincus differs from all other genera by modally having three (vs. two) supralabials posterior to the subocular supralabial. It further differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood and tissues, a prehensile tail with a glandular tip, and basally expanded subdigital lamellae. It further differs from Lobulia, Palaia and Papuascincus by having the lower eyelid scaly (vs. lower eyelid with a semi-transparent window), a fragmented (vs. the standard three-scale) temporal region and the chin shields separated from the infralabials by a row of genials (vs. chin shields abutting infralabials). It further differs from Palaia and Papuascincus by having two pairs of chin shields in medial contact (vs. one pair), unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals and a viviparous (vs. oviparous) reproductive mode. It further differs from Palaia by its longer adult SVL (46.1–72.7 vs. 37.3–41.2 mm) and by lacking basally slightly expanded subidigital lamellae. It further differs from Papuascincus by having an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale. Etymology: A combinatorial noun derived from the Latin adjective alpinus, of high mountains, and Latin noun scincus, a type of lizard, in reference to the extremely high elevations in which species in this genus occur. Species included: Alpinoscincus alpinus (Greer et al., 2005) comb. nov.; Alpinoscincus subalpinus (Greer et al., 2005) comb. nov. Distribution: The two species of Alpinoscincus are restricted to extremely high elevations (> 2700 m a.s.l. in A. alpinus and> 2350 m a.s.l. in A. subalpinus) in the north-western Owen Stanley Range in the Papuan Peninsula. Alpinoscincus alpinus occurs in the Murray Range, the Wharton Range, and on Mt Albert Edward and Mt Yule. Alpinoscincus subalpinus occurs farther to the north-west, in the vicinity of Wau and Mt Missim. Remarks: Molecular evidence suggests that another undescribed species occurs on the summit of Mt Victoria, but the specimen (BPBM 47913) was unavailable for morphological examination at the time of writing., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on page 241, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Greer AE, Allison A, Cogger HG. 2005. Four new species of Lobulia (Lacertilia: Scincidae) from high altitude in New Guinea. Herpetological Monographs 19: 153 - 179."]}

ALPINOSCINCUS GEN. NOV. (CLADE VI) (FIG. 5; SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIGS S6, S 8; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k R e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: D473AA5B-791E-4C76-A5A9-AE75D78958C0 Type species: Lobulia alpina Greer et al., 2005. Herpetological Monographs 19(1): 153–179. Diagnosis: Medium-sized (adult SVL 46.1–72.7 mm) terrestrial to semi-arboreal skinks with moderate limbs (forelimbs 27.0–39.8% of SVL, hindlimbs 31.7–48.7% of SVL); small lobules present on anterior edge of ear opening; two pairs of chin shields in medial contact; modally three supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials; lower eyelid scaly; temporal region fragmented (> 3 scales); nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals unfused; viviparous; litter size 1–4. Alpinoscincus differs from all other genera by modally having three (vs. two) supralabials posterior to the subocular supralabial. It further differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood and tissues, a prehensile tail with a glandular tip, and basally expanded subdigital lamellae. It further differs from Lobulia, Palaia and Papuascincus by having the lower eyelid scaly (vs. lower eyelid with a semi-transparent window), a fragmented (vs. the standard three-scale) temporal region and the chin shields separated from the infralabials by a row of genials (vs. chin shields abutting infralabials). It further differs from Palaia and Papuascincus by having two pairs of chin shields in medial contact (vs. one pair), unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals and a viviparous (vs. oviparous) reproductive mode. It further differs from Palaia by its longer adult SVL (46.1–72.7 vs. 37.3–41.2 mm) and by lacking basally slightly expanded subidigital lamellae. It further differs from Papuascincus by having an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale. Etymology: A combinatorial noun derived from the Latin adjective alpinus, of high mountains, and Latin noun scincus, a type of lizard, in reference to the extremely high elevations in which species in this genus occur. Species included: Alpinoscincus alpinus (Greer et al., 2005) comb. nov.; Alpinoscincus subalpinus (Greer et al., 2005) comb. nov. Distribution: The two species of Alpinoscincus are restricted to extremely high elevations (> 2700 m a.s.l. in A. alpinus and> 2350 m a.s.l. in A. subalpinus) in the north-western Owen Stanley Range in the Papuan Peninsula. Alpinoscincus alpinus occurs in the Murray Range, the Wharton Range, and on Mt Albert Edward and Mt Yule. Alpinoscincus subalpinus occurs farther to the north-west, in the vicinity of Wau and Mt Missim. Remarks: Molecular evidence suggests that another undescribed species occurs on the summit of Mt Victoria, but the specimen (BPBM 47913) was unavailable for morphological examination at the time of writing.

PAPUASCINCUS ALLISON & GREER (CLADE IV) (FIG. 5; SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIG. S6; TABLE 1) Papuascincus Allison & Greer, 1986. Journal of Herpetology 20(1): 116–119. Type species: Lygosoma stanleyanum Boulenger, 1897, by original designation. Diagnosis: Medium-sized (adult SVL 36.3–67.8 mm) terrestrial skinks with short forelimbs (forelimbs 25.1– 38.9% of SVL) and moderately long hindlimbs (33.6– 49.6% of SVL); lobules present on anterior edge of ear opening; single pair of chin shields in medial contact; three supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields abutting infralabials; lower eyelid with semitransparent window; standard three-scale temporal region; nasal scale divided by a horizontal suture extending posteriorly from the nostril; frontoparietals fused; oviparous; clutch size two; pustulate egg shells. Papuascincus differs from all other genera by having pustulate egg shells and a divided (vs. undivided) nasal scale. It further differs from Nubeoscincus, Prasinohaema and Lobulia by having one pair of chin shields in medial contact (vs. two pairs) and an oviparous (vs. viviparous) reproductive mode. It further differs from Nubeoscincus and Prasinohaema by having the standard three-scale temporal region (vs. fragmented temporal region) and the chin shields abutting the infralabials (vs. chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials). It further differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood serum and tissues (Greer, 1974), a prehensile tail with a glandular tip and basally expanded subdigital lamellae. Species included: Papuascincus buergersi (Vogt, 1932); Papuascincus morokanus (Parker, 1936); Papuascincus phaeodes (Vogt, 1932); Papuascincus stanleyanus (Boulenger, 1897). D i s t r i b u t i o n: M e m b e r s o f Pa p u a s c i n c u s a r e widespread across montane regions of New Guinea, ranging from the Papuan Peninsula to the Central Highlands in Papua Province (Indonesia). Remarks: The genus Papuascincus most likely contains more species than currently recognized (Slavenko et al., 2020). However, members of the genus appear to be more morphologically conservative than the other genera described in this manuscript. A full taxonomic revision of Papuascincus is underway., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on page 239, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Allison A, Greer AE. 1986. Egg shells with pustulate surface structures: basis for a new genus of New Guinea skinks (Lacertilia: Scincidae). Journal of Herpetology 20: 116 - 119.","Boulenger GA. 1897. Descriptions of new lizards and frogs from Mount Victoria, Owen Stanley Range, New Guinea, collected by Mr. A. S. Anthony. Annals and Magazine of Natural History Series 6 19: 6 - 13.","Greer AE. 1974. The generic relationships of the scincid lizard genus Leiolopisma and its relatives. Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series 31: 1 - 67.","Vogt T. 1932. Beitrag zur Reptilienfauna der ehemaligen Kolonie Deutsch-Neuguinea. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin 1932: 281 - 294.","Parker HW. 1936. A collection of reptiles and amphibians from the mountains of British New Guinea. Annals and Magazine of Natural History Series 10 17: 66 - 93.","Slavenko A, Tamar K, Tallowin OJS, Allison A, Kraus F, Carranza S, Meiri S. 2020. Cryptic diversity and nonadaptive radiation of montane New Guinea skinks (Papuascincus; Scincidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 146: 106749."]}

PRASINOHAEMA GREER, 1974 (CLADE II) (FIG. 5; SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIG. S6; TABLE 1) Prasinohaema Greer, 1974. Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series (31): 1–67. Type species: Lygosoma flavipes Parker, 1936, by original designation. Diagnosis: Large (adult SVL up to 103 mm; Meiri, 2018) arboreal skinks with short limbs (forelimbs 27.7–31.4% of SVL, hindlimbs 29.9–34.1% of SVL); lobules present on anterior edge of ear opening; two pairs of chin shields in medial contact; three supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials; lower eyelid with window variable in size, opaqueness and scaliness; temporal region fragmented (> 3 scales); nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals unfused; viviparous; litter size 2–9; green blood serum and tissues; tail prehensile with a glandular tip; subdigital lamellae greatly expanded basally. Prasinohaema differs from Lobulia and Papuascincus by having green blood serum and tissues (Greer, 1974), a prehensile tail with a glandular tip and basally expanded subdigital lamellae, by having the chin shields separated from the infralabials by a row of genials (vs. chin shields abutting the infralabials) and by having a fragmented temporal region (vs. the standard three-scale arrangement). It further differs from Papuascincus by having two pairs of chin shields in medial contact (vs. one), unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals, an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale and by its viviparous (vs. oviparous) reproductive mode. Species included: Prasinohaema flavipes (Parker, 1936); Prasinohaema prehensicauda (Loveridge, 1897). Species incertae sedis: Prasinohaema parkeri (Smith, 1937) was originally placed in Prasinohaema by Greer (1974), seemingly based on having basally enlarged subdigital lamellae and transverse cross-bands on the dorsum, a coloration pattern it shares with Pr. prehensicauda and Pr. flavipes, but also with Pr. semoni which is phylogenetically distant from the former two species (Fig. 1). However, no information was given in Smith (1937) regarding the condition of its tail or the colour of its blood serum or tissues, data for the latter of which would not have been available for Greer in his revision (Greer, 1974) since the species was never collected after its original description. Furthermore, Pr. parkeri lacks lobules on the anterior edge of the ear opening and has a unique arrangement of the frontal (contacting the three vs. two anteriormost supraoculars) and prefrontals (fused with the anterior loreals). Pr. parkeri is only known from its type specimen (Meiri et al., 2018) collected in the Utakwa River (Smith, 1937), presumably along the southern slopes of the Sudirman Range (Wollaston, 1914). Although the presence of basally expanded subdigital lamellae and cross-bands may suggest an affinity with Pr. prehensicauda and Pr. flavipes, these traits are also common in at least some other New Guinean skinks (e.g. basally expanded subdigital lamellae in Li. longiceps, cross-bands and basally expanded subdigital lamellae in Pr. semoni), and therefore its placement in Prasinohaema is uncertain. Similarly, the presence of green blood serum and tissues alone would not be enough to place it in Prasinohaema, as both Pr. semoni and Pr. virens possess this trait but are otherwise morphologically and phylogenetically distant from Pr. prehensicada and Pr. flavipes (Figs 1–2). Distribution: The two species in the genus (Pr. flavipes and Pr. prehensicauda) are widespread in the montane regions of Papua New Guinea. Prasinohaema prehensicauda is present in the New Guinea Highlands and on the Papuan Peninsula, whereas Pr. flavipes also occurs on the Huon Peninsula. Remarks: Two other species are currently assigned to the genus Prasinohaema: Pr. semoni and Pr. virens. These species emerge in our analyses as phylogenetically distant from the type species of the genus, Pr. flavipes (Fig. 1; Rodriguez et al., 2018), rendering the former concept of the genus polyphyletic. They also differ widely morphologically (Fig. 2), reproductively (Pr. virens is oviparous, whereas Pr. semoni, Pr. flavipes and Pr. prehensicauda are viviparous; Fig. 2) and in elevational range (Pr. semoni and Pr. virens are lowland species, whereas Pr. flavipes and Pr. prehensicauda are montane species; Fig. 4). Many of these differences, particularly in Pr. virens, were mentioned by Greer even in his original description of the genus (Greer, 1974). Therefore, we stress that Prasinohaema is in need of taxonomic revision. Prasinohaema semoni and Pr. virens likely need to be assigned to new genera, although this is beyond the scope of the current work., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 234-237, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Greer AE. 1974. The generic relationships of the scincid lizard genus Leiolopisma and its relatives. Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series 31: 1 - 67.","Parker HW. 1936. A collection of reptiles and amphibians from the mountains of British New Guinea. Annals and Magazine of Natural History Series 10 17: 66 - 93.","Smith MA. 1937. A review of the genus Lygosoma (Scincidae: Reptilia) and its allies. Records of the Indian Museum 39: 213 - 234.","Meiri S, Bauer AM, Allison A, Castro-Herrera F, Chirio L, Colli G, Das I, Doan TM, Glaw F, Grismer LL, Hoogmoed M, Kraus F, LeBreton M, Meirte D, Nagy ZT, Nogueira CdC, Oliver P, Pauwels OSG, Pincheira- Donoso D, Shea G, Sindaco R, Tallowin OJS, Torres- Caravajal O, Trape J-F, Uetz P, Wagner P, Wang Y, Ziegler T, Roll U. 2018. Extinct, obscure or imaginary: the lizard species with the smallest ranges. Diversity and Distributions 24: 262 - 273.","Wollaston AFR. 1914. An expedition to Dutch New Guinea. The Geographical Journal 43: 248 - 268.","Rodriguez ZB, Perkins SL, Austin CC. 2018. Multiple origins of green blood in New Guinea lizards. Science Advances 4: eaao 5017."]}

KEY TO SPECIES IN NUBEOSCINCUS (ADAPTED FROM GREER ET AL., 2005) 1. (a) Anterior edge of ear opening with lobules; window on lower eyelid large and semi-transparent; presuboculars modally two........................................................................ N. glacialis — glacial cloud skink (b) Anterior edge of ear opening without lobules; window on lower eyelid variable in size, opacity and scaliness; presuboculars modally one......................................... N. stellaris — Star Mountains cloud skink, Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on page 273, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695

LOBULIA FORTIS SP. NOV. MOUNT STRONG MOSS SKINK (FIGS 6, 9–10; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: A3DD9FD2-4D28-4883-A087-249B6C432020 Holotype: BPBM 41149 (field tag AA 21543), adult male, collected by A.Allison at Kesemani, 7.9372°S, 147.0544°E (WGS 84), 1733 m a.s.l., north slope of Mt Strong, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, 25 February 2012. Paratypes (N = 28): Papua New Guinea: Morobe Province: Mt Strong: Arabuka, 7.9838°S, 147.0458°E (WGS 84), 1965 m a.s.l. (BPBM 41127–35, 41141–48; five males, seven females, five juveniles); Lamgatak Camp [Camp 2], 7.9325°S, 147.0399°E (WGS 84), 2161 m a.s.l. (BPBM 41136–40; two males, one female, two juveniles); same locality as holotype (BPBM 41150–55; three males, two females, one juvenile). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Lobulia (adult SVL 45.7–60.5 mm), characterized by the unique combination of frontoparietals unfused; supraorbital ridges not pronounced; nuchals 1–2 pairs; paravertebral scales 55–65; mid-body scale rows 34–37; 4 th digit on front foot longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 20–25 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–5 on 4 th toe; mid-dorsum with two rows of large dark brown spots; top of tail base with single row of large dark brown spots; light blue or white dorsolateral stripes absent; flanks dark brown with thin light blue to grey vertical bands; light blue or white lateral stripes absent; uniform coloration on abdomen either lemon yellow (in males) or white (in females) in life, light blue in preservative; thighs and precloacal region without brown spotting; ventral surface of tail lemon yellow in life, becoming white posteriorly, uniform light blue in preservative, either speckled with light brown spots (occasionally forming fragmented parallel longitudinal lines) or with speckling absent; palmar and plantar surfaces lemon yellow in life, light brown in preservative. Comparisons: Lobulia fortis differs from Lo. brongersmai in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It differs from Lo. lobulus in lacking dorsolateral and lateral stripes. Lo. fortis is most similar to Lo. elegans in having unfused frontoparietals and lacking light blue or white dorsolateral and lateral stripes but differs from it in having higher counts of midbody scale rows (34–37 vs. 30–32) and paravertebral scales (55–65 vs. 52–54) and a lower number of nuchal pairs (one or two vs. three). Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, posteriorly in narrow contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated by frontonasal and frontal contact, bordered lateroventrally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal roughly kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in narrow contact with frontal; interparietal of roughly similar area to single frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals single pair, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale. Anterior loreal slightly smaller than posterior loreal, both longer than high; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars three, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost not in contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between posterior two supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and ovelapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large, with lobules along anterior margin. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials seven; enlarged chin shields four pairs, the first two pairs in medial contact, third pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, fourth pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 36 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 60; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, four single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 23, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 9), base dorsal coloration grey, with two mid-dorsal parallel rows of large dark brown spots two to four scales long, extending to base of tail and converging to a single row of blotches along tail; dorsolateral stripes absent; lateral field composed of smaller dark brown blotches, roughly parallel to dorsal rows, separated by thin vertical grey lines; lateral stripe absent; head similar in coloration to dorsum, with brown snout; dark brown spotting present on head scales, mostly along scale margins; ventral surfaces uniform light blue; light brown dusting present on chin; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces light brown, contrasting with dark brown digits. In life (Fig. 10), dorsal colour reddish coppery brown with black mid-dorsal spots; chin white; ventral surfaces of chest, abdomen, thighs, precloacal region and tail lemon yellow, with tail becoming white posteriorly; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces lemon yellow. Variation: Adult body size 45.7–60.5 mm SVL (mean = 53.6, SD = 4.9, N = 21). Females (mean = 55.8, range: 47.8–60.5, SD = 4.7, N = 10) larger than males (mean = 51.6, range: 45.7–56.8, SD = 4.4, N = 11; t = 2.1, P = 0.05). Forelimbs 40.6–47.6% of SVL (mean = 43.3%, SD = 1.9, N = 21). Hindlimbs 46.0–54.8% of SVL (mean = 50.2%, SD = 2.4, N = 21). Scale rows at midbody 34–37 (mean = 35.3, SD = 1.0, N = 28); paravertebral scales 55–65 (mean = 58.9, SD = 2.6, N = 28). Lamellae under 4th toe 20–25 (mean = 22.9, SD = 1.2, N = 28); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–5 (mean = 3.5, SD = 0.6, N = 28). Mostly one or two pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 41130, 41135, 41136, 41138, 41145 and 41146 have an asymmetrical number of nuchals, with one more nuchal on left side. Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by single smaller intercalated scale (N = 25), rarely by none on left side and one on right (N = 3). Supraorbital ridges not pronounced in all but BPBM 41152. Frontonasal usually wider than long (N = 25), rarely as long as wide (N = 3). Prefrontals usually separated by frontonasal and frontal contact (N = 20), occasionally in narrow medial contact (N = 7), rarely separated by a single azygous scale (N = 1). Supraciliaries rarely seven (N = 1), typically eight (N = 23), occasionally nine (N = 4). Anteriormost supraciliary usually not in contact with frontal (N = 22), sometimes in narrow contact (N = 6). Presubocular usually single (N = 26), rarely two (N = 2). Postsuboculars usually three (N = 25), rarely four (N = 3). Supralabials typically seven (N = 25), rarely eight (N = 3). Infralabials rarely six (N = 3), typically seven (N = 25). Chin shields typically symmetrical (N = 23), occasionally anteriormost two on left side fused (N = 4), rarely anteriormost two on right side fused (N = 1). Colour pattern of all paratypes generally similar to holotype, with few exceptions. Size of mid-dorsal dark brown spots varies between individuals. BPBM 41136 and 41154 have fragmented lateral stripes, and BPBM 41139 has uniform lateral stripes. BPBM 40334 has dark brown palmar and plantar surfaces. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces coppery brown with two parallel mid-dorsal rows of large dark brown spots (Figs 6, 10). Sides dark brown to jet black, usually with thin coppery vertical stripes between dark blotches, which are more or less parallel to dorsal rows of spots. Chin white. Ventral surfaces of chest, abdomen, precloacal region, thighs and base of tail lemon yellow in adult males and white in females and juveniles. Palmar and planar surfaces lemon yellow. Etymology: From the single-ending Latin adjective, fortis, strong, in reference to Mt Strong, where the type series was collected. Distribution: Specimens examined are from 1733– 2161 m a.s.l. on the northern slopes of Mt Strong. Specimens collected from the vicinity of Wau and Mt Kaindi further north in similar elevations and deposited in BPBM as Lo. elegans were not examined here, but from photos taken in life and appear to have similar coloration patterns to Lo. fortis and therefore possibly also represent Lo. fortis. If true, this would make the distribution of this species extend throughout the north-western Owen Stanley Mts. Natural history: All animals were collected from areas that were covered or formerly covered in lower montane forest (Paijmans, 1975). Trees were generally 20–30 m tall and formed a fairly even, mostly closed canopy. There was a profusion of epiphytic orchids and ferns and a ground flora of scattered herbs and shrubs. Dominant tree taxa included Castanopsis acuminatissima (Blume) A.DC., Lithocarpus celebicus (Miq.) Rehder, Elaeocarpus kaniensis Schltr., Elaeocarpus pycnanthus A.C.Sm., Litsea sp. and Saurauia spp. Southern beech, Nothofagus sp., is common on some ridges above 2100 m. Animals from Langatak were found in forest clearings or in exposed areas along walking tracks. They were exclusively on tree stumps or logs at heights of 2–3 m above the forest floor. The other animals were collected around two villages, Arabuka and Kesemani, within 1–2 km of Langatak, but located within anthropogenous grassland dominated by two native species, Miscanthus floridulus (Labill.) Warb. ex K.Schum. & Lauterb. and Imperata cylindrica (L.) P.Beauv., with patches of the invasive exotic grass, Melinis minutiflora P.Beauv. The lizards were mostly on isolated tree stumps but also occurred on the lower timbers of houses. They were heliothermic and were generally active only during the first few hours of the morning. Other lizard taxa common in the area included at least two species of Papuascincus, Pr. flavipes, species of Emoia Gray, 1845 and at least four species of Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1843. A widely distributed montane frog, Litoria angiana (Boulenger, 1915), is also common. Reproduction: Viviparous. Litter size varies between 2–3 (mean 2.5, N = 6). Conservation status: The species appears locally abundant at the type locality although the population trend is unknown. Based on the population described herein from Mt Strong, the extent of occurrence for Lo. fortis is 0.3 km 2, with an 8 km 2 area of occupancy (based on occupation of 4 km 2 cells; both calculated using http://geocat.kew.org/). If the species has a wider range in the north-western Owen Stanley Mts as described above, its extent of occurrence would be 1458 km 2 and area of occupancy would be 36 km 2. The putative northern populations occur in a protected area, the Mt Kaindi Wildlife Management Area, approximately 2 km from the McAdams National Park. Since it is locally abundant, with no immediate direct threats to the species or indirect threats to its habitat or location, and because it likely occurs over a wide range encompassing at least one protected area, we recommend assigning a status of Least Concern to Lo. fortis, although its true distribution needs to be confirmed through further surveys in the north-western Owen Stanley Mts.

LOBULIA VOGELKOPENSIS SP. NOV. VOGELKOP MOSS SKINK (FIG. 15; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: DEBCBB9C-06A3-4E33-B425-C4885ABA72BA Holotype: BPBM 6917 (field tag MCT 3820), adult male, collected by M.C. Thompson at Kampong Sururae, Lake Anggi Giji, 1.36°S, 133.856°E (WGS 84), (“ 6200 ft ”=) 1890 m a.s.l., Arfak Mts, West Papua Province, Indonesia, 8 March 1963. Paratypes (N = 2): Indonesia: West Papua Province: Arfak Mts: same locality as holotype (BPBM 6919–20; one male, one female). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Lobulia (adult SVL 56.0– 58.3 mm), characterized by the unique combination of frontoparietals unfused; supraorbital ridges not pronounced; posteriormost supralabial fragmented by horizontal suture; nuchals single pair; paravertebral scales 69–77; mid-body scale rows 34–36; 4 th digit on front foot no longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 19–23 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–4 on 4 th toe; mid-dorsum irregularly spotted with small to medium-sized dark brown spots continuing onto tail; light brown dorsolateral stripes present, either fragmented or continuous, framed medially by dark brown spots; flanks dark brown flecked with small white spots; unfragmented light brown lateral stripes present; in preservative, uniform light brown coloration on abdomen, thighs, precloacal region, tail and chin that lacks brown spotting; palmar and plantar surfaces light brown. Comparisons: Lobulia vogelkopensis differs from Lo. brongersmai and Lo. marmorata in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It differs from all other species of Lobulia in having a higher count of paravertebral scales (69–77 vs. 46–68 in all others) and irregularly placed small dark brown spots on the dorsum (vs. one or two mid-dorsal rows of large dark brown spots). Lobulia vogelkopensis further differs from Lo. elegans and Lo. fortis in having light brown lateral stripes (vs. absent). Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, separated from frontal by prefrontal contact; prefrontals large, in narrow medial contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior three in contact with frontal, posterior two in contact with frontoparietals; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in narrow contact with frontal; interparietal of roughly similar area to single frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals single pair, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale. Anterior loreal smaller than posterior loreal, higher than long; posterior loreal longer than high; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presuboculars two; postsuboculars three, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc considerably smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries nine, anteriormost not in contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporals two, lower interdigitated between sixth and seventh supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid, posteriormost fragmented by horizontal suture; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large and oval shaped, with lobules along anterior margin. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials eight; enlarged chin shields four pairs, the first two pairs in medial contact, third pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, fourth pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with antepenultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 34 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 77; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two paired rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 23, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 15), base dorsal coloration coppery brown, with many irregularly placed dark brown spots no more than a single scale long or wide, continuing along dorsum and tail; light brown unfragmented dorsolateral stripes present, framed medially by row of dark brown spots one to two scales long; lateral field dark brown, speckled with light brown spots a single scale wide; light brown unfragmented lateral stripe present, extending from ear opening to hindlimbs; head similar in coloration to dorsum; dark brown spotting present on head scales; ventral, palmar and plantar surfaces uniform light brown. Variation: Adult body size 56.0– 58.3 mm SVL (mean = 57.4, SD = 1.2, N = 3). Single female (58.3 mm) larger than both males (56.0– 57.8 mm). Forelimbs 35.7– 41.3% of SVL (mean = 37.7%, SD = 3.2, N = 3). Hindlimbs 41.6–47.8% of SVL (mean = 45.0%, SD = 3.1, N = 3). Scale rows at midbody 34–35 (mean = 35, SD = 1, N = 3); paravertebral scales 69–77 (mean = 72.7, SD = 4, N = 3). Lamellae under 4th toe 19–23 (mean = 21, SD = 2, N = 3); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–4 (mean = 3.3, SD = 0.6, N = 3). BPBM 6920 has nuchals as wide as long; primary nuchals separated from secondary temporals by two smaller intercalated scale on left side and one on right. Supraciliaries eight with anteriormost in narrow contact with frontal in BPBM 6920, nine with anteriormost not in contact with frontal in BPBM 6917 and 6919. Presubocular single in BPBM 6920, two in BPBM 6917 and 6919. Primary temporal single in BPBM 6919 and 6920, two in BPBM 6917. Supralabials seven in BPBM 6917 and 6920, eight in BPBM 6919. Infralabials seven in BPBM 6920, eight in BPBM 6917 and 6919. Infralabials posterior to contact with chin shields, one in BPBM 6920, two in BPBM 6917 and 6919. Colour pattern generally similar to holotype, but size of dark brown spots varies between individuals, and BPBM 6920 has fragmented dorsolateral stripes. Etymology: Suffixed form of Vogelkop with the Latin –ensis, denoting place, in reference to the Vogelkop, Dutch for ‘Bird’s Head Peninsula’, West Papua, in reference to where the type series was collected. Distribution: Known only from the type locality in the Arfak Mountains of West Papua Province, Indonesia. Remarks: Genetic data for Lo. vogelkopensis are not available. Furthermore, it is only known from the Arfak Mts, almost 1000 km west of the other currently described species of Lobulia, although this gap in distribution likely represents a lack of sampling in Indonesian New Guinea rather than an actual absence. Therefore, the exact phylogenetic relationship of this species to other species of Lobulia is uncertain. However, based on its scalation (unfused frontoparietals) and general coloration, Lo. vogelkopensis is likely more closely related to Lo. elegans and its related species rather than to Lo. brongersmai and Lo. marmorata, and the presence of light coloured lateral stripes suggests an affinity to Lo. huonensis and Lo. lobulus. Reproduction: Viviparous. Only a single gravid female was collected, with a litter size of two, but litter size is presumably variable in this species, as in other members of the genus. Conservation status: Population size and trend unknown. The three specimens are only known from a single location, with an area of occupancy of a single 4 km 2 cell. The type locality is roughly 13 km from a protected area, the Pegunungan Arfak Nature Reserve. No records of the species exist later than the 1960s, and Indonesian New Guinea is poorly sampled. Therefore, an assessment of this species will require more information than is currently available, and we recommend assigning a status of Data Deficient to Lo. vogelkopensis.

NUBEOSCINCUS GEN. NOV. (CLADE III) (FIG. 5, SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIGS S6, S 8; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 21B16380-F7EE-48CF-806C-699AAC63F491 Type species: Lobulia glacialis Greer et al., 2005. Herpetological Monographs 19: 153–179. Diagnosis: Medium-sized (adult SVL 47.4–64.0 mm) terrestrial skinks with short limbs (forelimbs 28.7– 34.4% of SVL, hindlimbs 34.6–38.6% of SVL); lobules either present or absent from anterior edge of ear opening; two pairs of chin shields in medial contact; two supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials; lower eyelid with window of variable size, opaqueness and scaliness; temporal region fragmented (> 3 scales); nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals unfused; viviparous; litter size up to three. Nubeoscincus differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood serum and tissues (Greer, 1974), a prehensile tail with a glandular tip and basally expanded subdigital lamellae. It differs from Lobulia and Papuascincus by having the chin shields separated from the infralabials by a row of genials (vs. chin shields abutting infralabials) and by having a fragmented temporal region (vs. the standard three-scale arrangement). It further differs from Papuascincus by having two pairs of chin shields in medial contact (vs. one), unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals, a viviparous (vs. oviparous) reproductive mode and an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale. Etymology: A combinatorial noun derived from the Latin nouns nubes, cloud, and scincus, a type of lizard, in reference to the extremely high elevations at which species in this genus occur. Species included: Nubeoscincus glacialis (Greer et al., 2005) comb. nov.; Nubeoscincus stellaris (Greer et al., 2005) comb. nov. Distribution: Both species of Nubeoscincus occur at extremely high elevations from the western New Guinea Highlands to the western (Indonesian) parts of the island and are known from extremely limited distributions: N. glacialis near Puncak Jaya in the Sudirman Range, Papua Province (Indonesia), and N. stellaris from the Star Mountains in West Sepik Province (Papua New Guinea)., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 237-238, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Greer AE, Allison A, Cogger HG. 2005. Four new species of Lobulia (Lacertilia: Scincidae) from high altitude in New Guinea. Herpetological Monographs 19: 153 - 179.","Greer AE. 1974. The generic relationships of the scincid lizard genus Leiolopisma and its relatives. Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series 31: 1 - 67."]}

LOBULIA MARMORATA SP. NOV. MARBLED MOSS SKINK (FIGS 6, 13–14; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 1E3599CA-0E98-43C5-9BD8-7F977A3E6C65 Holotype: BPBM 34150 (field tag FK 12731), adult male, collected by F. Kraus at 5.639°S, 142.625°E (WGS 84), 1900 m a.s.l., Muller Range, Hela Province, Papua New Guinea, 23 March 2009. Paratypes (N = 32): Papua New Guinea: Hela Province: Muller Range: same locality as holotype (BPBM 34151– 55, 34157; two males, two females, two juveniles); 5.652°S, 142.634°E (WGS 84), 1800 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34156, 34162–23; two males, one female); “ Mt Yakapi ”, 5.666°S, 142.643°E (WGS 84), 1966 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34158–60; two males, one female); “ Point 17 = Dickson’s Village ”, 5.64°S, 142.628°E (WGS 84), 1859 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34164–5, 34169–70, PNGNM 25284; two males, one female, two juveniles); “ Kunida ”, 5.6431°S, 142.634°E (WGS 84), 1910 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34166–8; one male, two females); “ Dickson’s House ”, 5.6454°S, 142.639°E (WGS 84), 1777 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34171–73, 34177, PNGNM 25281–83; four males, three females); 5.652°S, 142.643°E (WGS 84), 1860 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34174–76; one male, two females); 5.639°S, 142.625°E (WGS 84), 1900 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34178; male); “ Top House ”, 5.6591°S, 142.635°E (WGS 84), 1910 m a.s.l. (PNGNM 25285; male). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Lobulia (adult SVL 41.9–56.9 mm), characterized by the unique combination of frontoparietals fused; supraorbital ridges typically pronounced; nuchals 2–4 pairs; paravertebral scales 46–56; mid-body scale rows 30–34; 4 th digit on front foot longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 20–25 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–4 on 4 th toe; mid-dorsum with two rows of large dark brown spots converging to a single row roughly around midbody; top of tail with two rows of dark brown spots joining ventrally with dark lateral stripes along the tail length; light blue or white dorsolateral stripes absent; flanks dark brown spotted with grey; light blue or white lateral stripes absent; uniform coloration on abdomen and base of tail, lemon yellow in life, light blue in preservative; thighs and precloacal region without brown spotting; tail and chin uniform light blue speckled with brown spots; palmar and plantar surfaces dark yellow in life, light brown in preservative. Comparisons: Lobulia marmorata differs from Lo. elegans, Lo. lobulus and Lo. huonensis in having fused vs. unfused frontoparietals. Lobulia marmorata is most similar in scalation and coloration to Lo. brongersmai, but differs from it in having a higher average count of midbody scale rows [31.5 (30–34) vs. 29 (27–32)], a dark blotch on the nuchal region, posterior to the parietals, and a generally darker coloration due to larger size of the dark brown dorsal spots relative to the base grey coloration. Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with eight sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, in broad contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated by frontonasal and frontal contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietal; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietal single, anteriorly in contact with frontal, posteriorly with interparietal and parietals; interparietal smaller than fused frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietal, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals two pairs, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale, with a third nuchal on the right side. Anterior loreal slightly smaller than posterior loreal, roughly as long as high; posterior loreal longer than high; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars three, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc roughly the size of ear opening; supraciliaries nine, anteriormost in narrow contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, ventrally contacting posteriormost supralabial; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large, with lobules along anterior margin. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials seven; enlarged chin shields four pairs, the first two pairs in medial contact, third pair narrowly separated by a single medial scale, fourth pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 31 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 50; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 20, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 13), base dorsal coloration grey-brown, with two mid-dorsal parallel rows of large dark brown spots two to four scales long, converging posterior to forelimbs to form a single continuous mid-dorsal dark stripe with transverse lateral projections, extending to base of tail; on dorsal surface of tail, two parallel rows of dark brown blotches extending medially from dark brown lateral stripes; light blue or white dorsolateral stripes absent, but parallel dorsolateral rows of dark brown blotches present, extending laterally to lateral fields; lateral field dark brown, speckled with grey spots; light blue or white lateral stripe absent; head similar in coloration to dorsum; dark brown spotting on head scales, mostly along scale margins, with large dark spot in centre of frontal; large dark blotch in nuchal region formed by dark coloration on the posterior margins of parietals and medial margins of nuchals; ventral surfaces uniform light blue; brown dusting present on chin; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces light brown, contrasting with dark brown digits. In life (Figs 6, 14), dorsum greyish with black mid-dorsal spots; lateral field brown with white spotting; chin white; chest, abdomen, thighs, precloacal region and base of tail lemon yellow, with tail becoming white posteriorly; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces dark yellow. Variation: Adult body size 41.9–56.9 mm SVL (mean = 48.1, SD = 3.8, N = 29). Females (mean = 50.5, range: 42–56.9, SD = 4.0, N = 12) larger than males (mean = 46.4, range: 41.9–50.5, SD = 2.6, N = 17; t = 3.4, P N = 29). Hindlimbs 44.1– 53.4% of SVL (mean = 47.5%, SD = 2.8, N = 29). Scale rows at midbody 30–34 (mean = 31.5, SD = 0.9, N = 33); paravertebral scales 46–56 (mean = 51.2, SD = 2.2, N = 33). Lamellae under 4th toe 20–25 (mean = 22.5, SD = 1.2, N = 32); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–4 (mean = 3.2, SD = 0.4, N = 32). Mostly 2–4 pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 34150–51, 34155–56, 34166, 34169–71, 34173, 34178 and PNGNM 25281 have an asymmetrical number of nuchals, with one more nuchal either on left side (N = 6) or on right side (N = 5). Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by single smaller intercalated scale (N = 27), rarely by none on left side and one on right (N = 1), one on left side and two on right (N = 1), two on left side and one on right (N = 3) or two on both sides (N = 1). Supraorbital ridges usually pronounced (N = 25), but occasionally not (N = 8). Frontonasal usually as wide as long (N = 25), occasionally longer than wide (N = 8). Frontonasal fragmented in PNGNM 25285. Interparietal fused with frontoparietal in BPBM 34151 and 34153. Loreals typically two (N = 29), rarely three (N = 4). Supraciliaries either eight (N = 15) or nine (N = 18). Anteriormost supraciliary usually not in contact with frontal (N = 22), sometimes in narrow contact (N = 11). Postsuboculars rarely two (N = 2), typically three (N = 24), occasionally four (N = 7). Supralabials rarely six (N = 1), typically seven (N = 20), occasionally eight (N = 12). Infralabials typically seven (N = 25), occasionally eight (N = 8). Mental split medially in BPBM 34160. Chin shields typically four on both sides (N = 31), rarely five on right side (N = 2). Infralabials posterior to contact with chin shields occasionally zero (N = 7), usually one (N = 24), rarely two (N = 2). Colour pattern of all specimens generally similar to holotype, with a few exceptions. Size of mid-dorsal dark brown spots, and location at which two anterior rows converge to form single posterior row vary between individuals. In some individuals, dark blotches form a continuous thick stripe posterior to convergence; in others form a row of dark blotches. BPBM 34174 has continuous, unfrgamented lateral stripes. Degree of brown speckling on chin varies from almost no brown spots (BPBM 34156) to chin shields being almost uniformly brown (BPBM 34152). Colour in life: Notes for the holotype (BPBM 34150) stated “Dorsum tan with irregular black zigzags vertebrally and dorsolaterally, tan scales margined in black. Face black. Chest, belly, and under rear legs deep orange-yellow; chin and throat white with black spots. Mouth lining and tongue blue-black.” Paratypes BPBM 34152 and BPBM 34155 had the venter entirely white. Etymology: Feminine Latin adjective meaning “marbled”, in reference to the marbled grey and dark brown dorsal coloration of the species. Distribution: Known only from 1777–1966 m a.s.l. on the north-eastern slopes of the Muller Range, Hela Province, where it occurs in sympatry with another, currently undescribed, species of Lobulia (BPBM 34161) having unfused frontoparietals. Natural history: This species was locally common in the village areas and surrounding cleared areas; it was never observed in forested situations. Reproduction: Viviparous. Litter size varies between 2–3 (mean 2.4, N = 9). Conservation status: The species is locally abundant in the areas where collected although the population trend is unknown. Based on the available samples, Lo. marmorata has an extent of occurrence of 2.5 km 2 and an area of occupancy of 16 km 2 (based on occupation of 4 km 2 cells; both calculated using http://geocat.kew.org/). However, it is likely distributed in other localities of suitable habitat in the Muller Range. It does not occur near any protected areas. Further research is needed to discern its true distributional boundaries, potential threats and demographic trends for a proper assessment. We recommend assigning a status of Data Deficient to Lo. marmorata.

KEY TO SPECIES IN NUBEOSCINCUS (ADAPTED FROM GREER ET AL., 2005) 1. (a) Anterior edge of ear opening with lobules; window on lower eyelid large and semi-transparent; presuboculars modally two........................................................................ N. glacialis — glacial cloud skink (b) Anterior edge of ear opening without lobules; window on lower eyelid variable in size, opacity and scaliness; presuboculars modally one......................................... N. stellaris — Star Mountains cloud skink

LOBULIA HUONENSIS SP. NOV. HUON MOSS SKINK (FIGS 6, 11–12; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 692113B4-B03F-4D41-8620-7DE7852BDA1B Holotype: BPBM 40322 (field tag AA 20573), adult male, collected by A. Allison at Dopeke, 5.9538°S, 146.5573°E (WGS 84), 2646 m a.s.l., Finisterre Range, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, 3 October 2010. Paratypes (N = 18): Papua New Guinea: Morobe Province: Saruwaged Range: Tobo, 6.367°S, 147.37°E (WGS 84), 1600 m a.s.l. (BPBM 2893; male); Madang Province: Finisterre Range: same locality as holotype (BPBM 40320, 40323; one male, one female); Wil, near Teptep, 5.9438°S, 146.5549°E (WGS 84), 2359 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40321, 40330–31; two males, one female); ridge N of Teptep, 5.9369°S, 146.5499°E (WGS 84), 2662 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40324, 40327, 40332; one male, one female, one juvenile); c. 1.6 km NW of Teptep, 5.9392°S, 146.5523°E (WGS 84), 2556 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40325; male); c. 11 km WNW of Teptep, 5.9365°S, 146.5487°E (WGS 84), 2686 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40326; male); c. 2 km NNW of Teptep, 5.9339°S, 146.5567°E (WGS 84), 2564 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40328–29; one male, one female); Siwasiwa, 5.9377°S, 146.5592°E (WGS 84), 2440 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40333; juvenile); Siwasiwa Camp, near Teptep, 5.9464°S, 146.5601°E (WGS 84), 2478 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40334, 40337; two males); vicinity of Teptep Station, 5.9552°S, 146.5595°E (WGS 84), 2173 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40335; female); “ca. 2 km NW of Teptep ”, 5.9334°S, 146.5336°E (WGS 84), 2687 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40336; male). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Lobulia (adult SVL 45.2–63.9 mm), characterized by the unique combination of frontoparietals unfused; supraorbital ridges not pronounced; nuchals 1–3 pairs; paravertebral scales 59–68; mid-body scale rows 33–38; 4 th digit on front foot longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 19–25 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–4 on 4 th toe; mid-dorsum with two rows of large dark brown spots on an olive green background; top of tail base with two rows of large dark brown spots; fragmented white dorsolateral stripes present, extending from parietals to base of tail; flanks dark brown with light spots; unbroken white lateral stripes present, extending from occiput to hindlimbs; ventral coloration light blue on chin, light blue to lemon yellow on abdomen and base of tail in life, uniform light blue in preservative; thighs and precloacal region lack brown spotting; ventral surfaces of tail speckled with light brown spots forming fragmented parallel longitudinal lines; palmar and plantar surfaces pale to lemon yellow in life, light brown in preservative. Comparisons: Lobulia huonensis differs from Lo. brongersmai in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It differs from Lo. elegans and Lo. fortis in having white dorsolateral stripes and lateral stripes (vs. absent). Lobulia huonensis is most similar in scalation and general habitus to Lo. lobulus. It differs from it in dorsal coloration—whereas Lo. lobulus has dorsal rows of dark brown spots joined to form two mid-dorsal stripes, Lo. huonensis has large mid-dorsal dark brown spots arrayed in parallel longitudinal rows (not creating stripes), giving it an overall “lighter” appearance—and in having a higher average count of paravertebral scales [62.7 (59–68) vs. 57.7 (54–61)]. Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with eight sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, in broad contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated by frontonasal and frontal contact, bordered lateroventrally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal roughly kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in narrow contact with frontal; interparietal of roughly similar area to single frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals single pair, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale. Anterior loreal smaller than posterior loreal, higher than long; posterior loreal longer than high; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars four, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost not in contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporals two, lower interdigitated between posterior two supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large, with lobules along anterior margin. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials eight; enlarged chin shields four pairs, the first two pairs in medial contact, third pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, fourth pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 36 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 67; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 23, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 11), base dorsal coloration coppery brown, with two mid-dorsal parallel rows of large dark brown spots two to four scales long, extending to base of tail; spots become smaller posteriorly on tail; dorsolateral stripes present as light blue fragmented stripes extending from occiput to base of tail; lateral field dark brown, speckled with light blue spots one to two single scales wide; unfragmented light blue lateral stripe present, extending from postsupralabials, across ear opening, to hind limbs; head similar in coloration to dorsum, with dark brown spotting, mostly in centre of scales and along scale margins; ventral surfaces uniform light blue; light brown dusting present on ventral surface of tail, roughly forming parallel longitudinal rows along tail margins; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces light brown, contrasting with dark brown digits. In life (Figs 6, 12), dorsal colour coppery brown with black mid-dorsal spots; fragmented dorsolateral stripes, uniform lateral stripes and spots on lateral field white; chin light blue; ventral surfaces of chest, abdomen, thighs, precloacal region and tail lemon yellow, with tail becoming light blue posteriorly; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces lemon yellow. Variation: Adult body size 45.2–63.9 mm SVL (mean = 54.0, SD = 4.7, N = 17). Females (mean = 51.8, range: 45.2–63.9, SD = 7.2, N = 5) have larger maximal size than males (mean = 56.5, range: 51.5– 60.2, SD = 3.2, N = 12). Forelimbs 37.7–43.6% of SVL (mean = 42.1%, SD = 1.7, N = 17). Hindlimbs 46.1– 51.9% of SVL (mean = 49.8%, SD = 1.6, N = 17). Scale rows at midbody 33–38 (mean = 36.2, SD = 1.3, N = 19); paravertebral scales 59–68 (mean = 62.7, SD = 2.6, N = 18). Lamellae under 4th toe 19–25 (mean = 21.3, SD = 1.3, N = 19); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–4 (mean = 3.1, SD = 0.3, N = 19). Mostly 1–3 pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 40323, 40325, 4027, 40328, 40333 and 40325 have an asymmetrical number of nuchals, with either one more nuchal on right side (BPBM 40327) or on left side (all others). Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by a single smaller intercalated scale (N = 16), rarely by two on left side and one on right (N = 2) or none on left side and one on right (N = 1). Prefrontals usually separated by frontonasal and frontal contact (N = 16), rarely by a single azygous scale (N = 3). Supraciliaries rarely seven (N = 1), typically eight (N = 9), occasionally nine (N = 7) or ten (N = 2). Anteriormost supraciliary usually not in contact with frontal (N = 14), sometimes in narrow contact (N = 5). Postsuboculars usually three (N = 16), rarely four (N = 2) or two (N = 1). Supralabials almost always seven (N = 18), rarely nine (N = 1). Primary temporals either single (N = 13) or two (N = 6). Infralabials rarely six (N = 1), typically seven (N = 13), occasionally eight (N = 3) and rarely nine (N = 1). Infralabials posterior to contact with chin shields usually one (N = 18), rarely two (N = 1). Colour pattern of all examined specimens generally similar to holotype, with few exceptions. Size of middorsal dark brown spots varies between individuals. BPBM 40320, 40326 and 40328 have unfragmented, as opposed to fragmented, dorsolateral stripes. BPBM 2893, 40325 and 40331 have fragmented, as opposed to unfragmented, lateral stripes. BPBM 40334 has dark brown palmar and plantar surfaces. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces coppery brown with two parallel mid-dorsal rows of large dark brown spots (Figs 6, 12). Dorsolateral stripes white to pale yellow. Sides dark brown to jet black with white or pale yellow spotting and white or pale yellow lateral stripe extending from occiput to hind limbs. Coloration of sides becomes gradually lighter ventrally from lateral stripes. Chin pale blue. Chest, abdomen, precloacal region, thighs and base of tail range from pale blue (BPBM 40335) through light lime green to bright lemon yellow. Yellow coloration more prominent in adult males. Etymology: The Latin adjectival suffix –ensis denotes belonging to a place and is used in reference to the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, where the type series was collected. Distribution: Known only from 1600–2690 m a.s.l. in the Finisterre Range, Madang Province and the Saruwaged Range, Morobe Province, both on the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. It is presumed endemic to the Huon Peninsula, where it is the only member of Lobulia present. Lobulia huonensis appears to be sympatric with one species of Papuascincus (lineage I), although Lo. huonensis is seemingly more common at higher elevations (most specimens collected> 2200 m a.s.l.), whereas Papuascincus sp. is more common at lower elevations (most specimens collected Natural history: All animals were collected while basking on old tree stumps and logs within 2 m of the ground along walking tracks through highly degraded lower montane and montane forest or anthropogenic grassland, mostly between Teptep Station (2200 m) and Kawang Bagu Pass at around 3000 m on a track leading to Bumbu. Most of the forest along the track, particularly at lower elevations, had been replaced by tall anthropogenic grassland dominated by Saccharum × edule Hassk. (pitpit), Saccharum robustum E.W.Brandes & Jeswiet ex Grassl and Miscanthus floridulus (Labill.) Warb. ex K.Schum. & Lauterb. There were also large expanses of shorter grasses such as Themeda triandra Fossk., Ischaemum polystachyum J.Presl and Imperata sp. Remnant trees included Pandanus sp., Caldcluvia sp. and Saurauia spp. There was fairly intact mossy forest at higher elevations (> 2500 m) dominated by Nothofagus sp., with a ground flora fairly typical of montane New Guinea that included as aspect dominants a variety of species of shrubs in the genera Rhododendron, Coprosma and Tasmannia, and an impressively robust ground moss, Dawsonia sp. In much of New Guinea, timberline occurs at around 2800–3000 m. In the Finisterre Mountains, mossy forest extends to around 3200 m or higher. This was in line with our overall impression that the vegetation zones around Teptep were shifted upwards by 200–300 m compared to the rest of New Guinea. This may, at least in part, explain the occurrence of Lo. huonensis to nearly 2700 m; Lo. fortis and Lo. elegans, which are ecologically similar and occur in the central ranges, do not generally occur above 2400 m. Like the two aforementioned species, Lo. huonensis is heliothermic and is exclusively found on tree stumps and logs. However, it is often found close to the ground, unlike Lo. fortis and Lo. elegans, which generally occur from 2–3 m above the ground. But like these species, Lo. huonensis is mainly active in the morning, when the first sun reaches its habitat. It is common. Lobulia huonensis is sympatric with at least two other species of skinks: a ground-dwelling species of Papuascincus and the arboreal Pr. flavipes. A terrestrial colubrid snake, Tropidonophis sp., occurs to 2500 m. There are only two sympatric species of nocturnal, scansorial frogs above 2200 m: Choerophryne sp. and Cophixalus sp. Zweifel (1980) has commented on the relatively low diversity of montane frogs on the Huon Peninsula, attributing this to the geological youth of the Saruwaged and Finisterre mountain ranges. Reproduction: Viviparous. Only a single gravid female was collected, with two embryos, but litter size is presumably variable in this species, as in other members of the genus. Conservation status: The species appears locally abundant at the type locality although the population trend is unknown. Based on the sampled populations, Lo. huonensis has an extent of occurrence of 100 km 2 and an area of occupancy of 16 km 2 (based on occupation of 4 km 2 cells; both calculated using http:// geocat.kew.org/). However, its distribution almost certainly encompasses more populations throughout the Huon Peninsula at suitable elevations, and the true area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are likely much larger than estimated here. The type locality is approximately 3 km from a protected area, the YUS Conservation Area. Since it is locally abundant, with no immediate direct threats to the species or indirect threats to its habitat or location, and because it likely occurs over a wide distribution range encompassing at least one protected area, we recommend assigning a status of Least Concern to Lo. huonensis, although its true distribution extent needs to be confirmed through further surveys in the Huon Peninsula.

LOBULIA HUONENSIS SP. NOV. HUON MOSS SKINK (FIGS 6, 11–12; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 692113B4-B03F-4D41-8620-7DE7852BDA1B Holotype: BPBM 40322 (field tag AA 20573), adult male, collected by A. Allison at Dopeke, 5.9538°S, 146.5573°E (WGS 84), 2646 m a.s.l., Finisterre Range, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, 3 October 2010. Paratypes (N = 18): Papua New Guinea: Morobe Province: Saruwaged Range: Tobo, 6.367°S, 147.37°E (WGS 84), 1600 m a.s.l. (BPBM 2893; male); Madang Province: Finisterre Range: same locality as holotype (BPBM 40320, 40323; one male, one female); Wil, near Teptep, 5.9438°S, 146.5549°E (WGS 84), 2359 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40321, 40330–31; two males, one female); ridge N of Teptep, 5.9369°S, 146.5499°E (WGS 84), 2662 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40324, 40327, 40332; one male, one female, one juvenile); c. 1.6 km NW of Teptep, 5.9392°S, 146.5523°E (WGS 84), 2556 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40325; male); c. 11 km WNW of Teptep, 5.9365°S, 146.5487°E (WGS 84), 2686 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40326; male); c. 2 km NNW of Teptep, 5.9339°S, 146.5567°E (WGS 84), 2564 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40328–29; one male, one female); Siwasiwa, 5.9377°S, 146.5592°E (WGS 84), 2440 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40333; juvenile); Siwasiwa Camp, near Teptep, 5.9464°S, 146.5601°E (WGS 84), 2478 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40334, 40337; two males); vicinity of Teptep Station, 5.9552°S, 146.5595°E (WGS 84), 2173 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40335; female); “ca. 2 km NW of Teptep ”, 5.9334°S, 146.5336°E (WGS 84), 2687 m a.s.l. (BPBM 40336; male). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Lobulia (adult SVL 45.2–63.9 mm), characterized by the unique combination of frontoparietals unfused; supraorbital ridges not pronounced; nuchals 1–3 pairs; paravertebral scales 59–68; mid-body scale rows 33–38; 4 th digit on front foot longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 19–25 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–4 on 4 th toe; mid-dorsum with two rows of large dark brown spots on an olive green background; top of tail base with two rows of large dark brown spots; fragmented white dorsolateral stripes present, extending from parietals to base of tail; flanks dark brown with light spots; unbroken white lateral stripes present, extending from occiput to hindlimbs; ventral coloration light blue on chin, light blue to lemon yellow on abdomen and base of tail in life, uniform light blue in preservative; thighs and precloacal region lack brown spotting; ventral surfaces of tail speckled with light brown spots forming fragmented parallel longitudinal lines; palmar and plantar surfaces pale to lemon yellow in life, light brown in preservative. Comparisons: Lobulia huonensis differs from Lo. brongersmai in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It differs from Lo. elegans and Lo. fortis in having white dorsolateral stripes and lateral stripes (vs. absent). Lobulia huonensis is most similar in scalation and general habitus to Lo. lobulus. It differs from it in dorsal coloration—whereas Lo. lobulus has dorsal rows of dark brown spots joined to form two mid-dorsal stripes, Lo. huonensis has large mid-dorsal dark brown spots arrayed in parallel longitudinal rows (not creating stripes), giving it an overall “lighter” appearance—and in having a higher average count of paravertebral scales [62.7 (59–68) vs. 57.7 (54–61)]. Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with eight sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, in broad contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated by frontonasal and frontal contact, bordered lateroventrally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal roughly kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in narrow contact with frontal; interparietal of roughly similar area to single frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals single pair, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale. Anterior loreal smaller than posterior loreal, higher than long; posterior loreal longer than high; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars four, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost not in contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporals two, lower interdigitated between posterior two supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large, with lobules along anterior margin. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials eight; enlarged chin shields four pairs, the first two pairs in medial contact, third pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, fourth pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 36 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 67; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 23, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 11), base dorsal coloration coppery brown, with two mid-dorsal parallel rows of large dark brown spots two to four scales long, extending to base of tail; spots become smaller posteriorly on tail; dorsolateral stripes present as light blue fragmented stripes extending from occiput to base of tail; lateral field dark brown, speckled with light blue spots one to two single scales wide; unfragmented light blue lateral stripe present, extending from postsupralabials, across ear opening, to hind limbs; head similar in coloration to dorsum, with dark brown spotting, mostly in centre of scales and along scale margins; ventral surfaces uniform light blue; light brown dusting present on ventral surface of tail, roughly forming parallel longitudinal rows along tail margins; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces light brown, contrasting with dark brown digits. In life (Figs 6, 12), dorsal colour coppery brown with black mid-dorsal spots; fragmented dorsolateral stripes, uniform lateral stripes and spots on lateral field white; chin light blue; ventral surfaces of chest, abdomen, thighs, precloacal region and tail lemon yellow, with tail becoming light blue posteriorly; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces lemon yellow. Variation: Adult body size 45.2–63.9 mm SVL (mean = 54.0, SD = 4.7, N = 17). Females (mean = 51.8, range: 45.2–63.9, SD = 7.2, N = 5) have larger maximal size than males (mean = 56.5, range: 51.5– 60.2, SD = 3.2, N = 12). Forelimbs 37.7–43.6% of SVL (mean = 42.1%, SD = 1.7, N = 17). Hindlimbs 46.1– 51.9% of SVL (mean = 49.8%, SD = 1.6, N = 17). Scale rows at midbody 33–38 (mean = 36.2, SD = 1.3, N = 19); paravertebral scales 59–68 (mean = 62.7, SD = 2.6, N = 18). Lamellae under 4th toe 19–25 (mean = 21.3, SD = 1.3, N = 19); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–4 (mean = 3.1, SD = 0.3, N = 19). Mostly 1–3 pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 40323, 40325, 4027, 40328, 40333 and 40325 have an asymmetrical number of nuchals, with either one more nuchal on right side (BPBM 40327) or on left side (all others). Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by a single smaller intercalated scale (N = 16), rarely by two on left side and one on right (N = 2) or none on left side and one on right (N = 1). Prefrontals usually separated by frontonasal and frontal contact (N = 16), rarely by a single azygous scale (N = 3). Supraciliaries rarely seven (N = 1), typically eight (N = 9), occasionally nine (N = 7) or ten (N = 2). Anteriormost supraciliary usually not in contact with frontal (N = 14), sometimes in narrow contact (N = 5). Postsuboculars usually three (N = 16), rarely four (N = 2) or two (N = 1). Supralabials almost always seven (N = 18), rarely nine (N = 1). Primary temporals either single (N = 13) or two (N = 6). Infralabials rarely six (N = 1), typically seven (N = 13), occasionally eight (N = 3) and rarely nine (N = 1). Infralabials posterior to contact with chin shields usually one (N = 18), rarely two (N = 1). Colour pattern of all examined specimens generally similar to holotype, with few exceptions. Size of middorsal dark brown spots varies between individuals. BPBM 40320, 40326 and 40328 have unfragmented, as opposed to fragmented, dorsolateral stripes. BPBM 2893, 40325 and 40331 have fragmented, as opposed to unfragmented, lateral stripes. BPBM 40334 has dark brown palmar and plantar surfaces. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces coppery brown with two parallel mid-dorsal rows of large dark brown spots (Figs 6, 12). Dorsolateral stripes white to pale yellow. Sides dark brown to jet black with white or pale yellow spotting and white or pale yellow lateral stripe extending from occiput to hind limbs. Coloration of sides becomes gradually lighter ventrally from lateral stripes. Chin pale blue. Chest, abdomen, precloacal region, thighs and base of tail range from pale blue (BPBM 40335) through light lime green to bright lemon yellow. Yellow coloration more prominent in adult males. Etymology: The Latin adjectival suffix –ensis denotes belonging to a place and is used in reference to the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, where the type series was collected. Distribution: Known only from 1600–2690 m a.s.l. in the Finisterre Range, Madang Province and the Saruwaged Range, Morobe Province, both on the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. It is presumed endemic to the Huon Peninsula, where it is the only member of Lobulia present. Lobulia huonensis appears to be sympatric with one species of Papuascincus (lineage I), although Lo. huonensis is seemingly more common at higher elevations (most specimens collected> 2200 m a.s.l.), whereas Papuascincus sp. is more common at lower elevations (most specimens collected Natural history: All animals were collected while basking on old tree stumps and logs within 2 m of the ground along walking tracks through highly degraded lower montane and montane forest or anthropogenic grassland, mostly between Teptep Station (2200 m) and Kawang Bagu Pass at around 3000 m on a track leading to Bumbu. Most of the forest along the track, particularly at lower elevations, had been replaced by tall anthropogenic grassland dominated by Saccharum × edule Hassk. (pitpit), Saccharum robustum E.W.Brandes & Jeswiet ex Grassl and Miscanthus floridulus (Labill.) Warb. ex K.Schum. & Lauterb. There were also large expanses of shorter grasses such as Themeda triandra Fossk., Ischaemum polystachyum J.Presl and Imperata sp. Remnant trees included Pandanus sp., Caldcluvia sp. and Saurauia spp. There was fairly intact mossy forest at higher elevations (> 2500 m) dominated by Nothofagus sp., with a ground flora fairly typical of montane New Guinea that included as aspect dominants a variety of species of shrubs in the genera Rhododendron, Coprosma and Tasmannia, and an impressively robust ground moss, Dawsonia sp. In much of New Guinea, timberline occurs at around 2800–3000 m. In the Finisterre Mountains, mossy forest extends to around 3200 m or higher. This was in line with our overall impression that the vegetation zones around Teptep were shifted upwards by 200–300 m compared to the rest of New Guinea. This may, at least in part, explain the occurrence of Lo. huonensis to nearly 2700 m; Lo. fortis and Lo. elegans, which are ecologically similar and occur in the central ranges, do not generally occur above 2400 m. Like the two aforementioned species, Lo. huonensis is heliothermic and is exclusively found on tree stumps and logs. However, it is often found close to the ground, unlike Lo. fortis and Lo. elegans, which generally occur from 2–3 m above the ground. But like these species, Lo. huonensis is mainly active in the morning, when the first sun reaches its habitat. It is common. Lobulia huonensis is sympatric with at least two other species of skinks: a ground-dwelling species of Papuascincus and the arboreal Pr. flavipes. A terrestrial colubrid snake, Tropidonophis sp., occurs to 2500 m. There are only two sympatric species of nocturnal, scansorial frogs above 2200 m: Choerophryne sp. and Cophixalus sp. Zweifel (1980) has commented on the relatively low diversity of montane frogs on the Huon Peninsula, attributing this to the geological youth of the Saruwaged and Finisterre mountain ranges. Reproduction: Viviparous. Only a single gravid female was collected, with two embryos, but litter size is presumably variable in this species, as in other members of the genus. Conservation status: The species appears locally abundant at the type locality although the population trend is unknown. Based on the sampled populations, Lo. huonensis has an extent of occurrence of 100 km 2 and an area of occupancy of 16 km 2 (based on occupation of 4 km 2 cells; both calculated using http:// geocat.kew.org/). However, its distribution almost certainly encompasses more populations throughout the Huon Peninsula at suitable elevations, and the true area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are likely much larger than estimated here. The type locality is approximately 3 km from a protected area, the YUS Conservation Area. Since it is locally abundant, with no immediate direct threats to the species or indirect threats to its habitat or location, and because it likely occurs over a wide distribution range encompassing at least one protected area, we recommend assigning a status of Least Concern to Lo. huonensis, although its true distribution extent needs to be confirmed through further surveys in the Huon Peninsula., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 254-256, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Zweifel RG. 1980. Results of the Archbold expeditions. No. 103. Frogs and lizards from the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 165: 387 - 434."]}

LOBULIA GREER, 1974 (CLADE I) (FIGS 5–15; SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIGS S6–S 7; TABLE 1) Lobulia Greer, 1974. Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series (31): 1–67. Type species: Lygosoma elegans Boulenger, 1897, by original designation. Diagnosis: Medium-sized (adult SVL 41.9–63.9 mm) terrestrial or semi-arboreal skinks with long limbs (forelimbs 32.9–47.6% of SVL, hindlimbs 41.6– 54.8% of SVL); lobules present on anterior edge of ear opening; two pairs of chin shields in medial contact; two supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields abutting infralabials; lower eyelid with semi-transparent window; standard three-scale temporal region; nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals either fused or unfused; viviparous; litter size 1–4. Lobulia differs from all other genera by its much longer limbs (forelimbs 32.9–47.6% vs. 27.7–39.8% of SVL, hindlimbs 41.6–54.8% vs. 29.9–49.6% of SVL). It further differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood serum and tissues (Greer, 1974), a prehensile tail with a glandular tip and basally expanded subdigital lamellae. It differs from Papuascincus by having two pairs of chin shields in medial contact (vs. one), an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale and a viviparous (vs. oviparous) reproductive mode. Species included: Lobulia brongersmai Zweifel, 1972; Lobulia elegans (Boulenger, 1897); Lobulia lobulus (Loveridge, 1945); and new species described below. Distribution: Members of Lobulia are widespread along most of the montane regions of New Guinea, ranging from the central Owen Stanley Mountains in the Papuan Peninsula in the east (Lo. elegans) to the Arfak Mountains in the Vogelkop Peninsula in the west. Most species are montane, found at elevations up to 2700 m a.s.l.; however, Lo. brongersmai is found in the lowlands and hill regions of the northern versant of New Guinea (0–1340 m a.s.l.). Lobulia brongersmai is the only member of the genus to be found below elevations of 700 m, the lowest recorded locality for Lo. elegans (Kraus, 2020). Remarks: Molecular evidence suggests that at least two other species not already named or described herein occur in the genus: one in Woitape (BPBM 18689–90; WGS 84: 8.545°S, 147.251°E) and one on Mt Yakapi in the Muller Range (BPBM 34161; WGS 84: 5.666°S, 142.643°E). However, since both are only known from a few specimens each, and are not extremely morphologically distinct, we refrain from formally describing them until further material can be collected and examined., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 233-234, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Greer AE. 1974. The generic relationships of the scincid lizard genus Leiolopisma and its relatives. Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series 31: 1 - 67.","Boulenger GA. 1897. Descriptions of new lizards and frogs from Mount Victoria, Owen Stanley Range, New Guinea, collected by Mr. A. S. Anthony. Annals and Magazine of Natural History Series 6 19: 6 - 13.","Zweifel RG. 1972. A new scincid lizard of the genus Leiolopisma from New Guinea. Zoologische Mededelingen 47: 530 - 539.","Loveridge A. 1945. New scincid lizards of the genera Tropidophorus and Lygosoma from New Guinea. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 58: 47 - 52.","Kraus F. 2020. A new species of Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea. Zootaxa 4779: 201 - 214."]}

KEY TO SPECIES IN ORNITHUROSCINCUS 1. (a) Light yellow-white patch on occiput absent................................................................................................2 (b) Light yellow-white patch on occiput present............................................................ O. noctua –moth skink 2. (a) Frontoparietals fused....................................................................................................................................3 (b) Frontoparietals unfused...............................................................................................................................4 3. (a) Adult SVL O. bengaun — Daga smooth-eared skink (b) Adult SVL> 50 mm; paravertebrals> 70; dark brown to black dorsal coloration with golden striations.......................................................................................... O. shearmani — Shearman’s smooth-eared skink 4. (a) Dorsolateral stripes absent..........................................................................................................................5 (b) Dorsolateral stripes present.........................................................................................................................7 5. (a) Parietal eye spot present..............................................................................................................................6 (b) Parietal eye spot absent.................................................................... O. viridis — green smooth-eared skink 6. (a) Dark vertebral stripe absent from dorsum.......................... O. albodorsalis — white-backed slender skink (b) Dark vertebral stripe present on dorsum............................... O. nototaenia — Setekwa slender tree skink 7. (a) Thick dorsolateral stripes (> 1 scale wide)..................................................................................................8 (b) Thin dorsolateral stripes (1 scale wide).......................................................................................................9 8. (a) Mid-dorsal field dark olive grey spotted with brown; midbody scale rows O. venemai — Brongersma’s slender tree skink (b) Mid-dorsal field uniform light brown; midbody scale rows> 30........................................................................................................................................................................ O. inornatus — plain smooth-eared skink 9. (a) Parallel fragmented white vertical stripes on flank; venter blue (lime green in life).................................................................................................... O. pterophilus — Mount Victoria smooth-eared skink (b) Scattered white specks on flank; venter pearl white (lemon yellow or white in life)............................................................................................................................ O. sabini — Mount Simpson smooth-eared skink

ORNITHUROSCINCUS BENGAUN SP. NOV. DAGA SMOOTH- EARED SKINK (FIGS 16–17; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 4DC0258B-AECD-4FFB-899B-C8436002B5A7 Holotype: BPBM 37741 (field tag FK 15374), adult male, collected by F. Kraus at Sota, 9.7580°S, 149.1822°E (WGS 84), 1860 m a.s.l., saddle between Mt Dayman and Mt Suckling, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, 20 March 2011. Diagnosis: A moderate-sized species of Ornithuroscincus (adult SVL 48.2 mm), characterized by the unique combination of long limbs (forelimbs 36.3% of SVL, hindlimbs 47.3% of SVL); frontoparietals fused; nuchals single pair; paravertebral scales 55; mid-body scale rows 30; 4 th digit on front foot no longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 20 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales six on 4 th toe; dorsal coloration uniform bronze; slightly zigzag unfragmented dorsolateral stripes present, one to one and a half scales wide, extending from orbital region to tail, pale brown in preservative, pale yellow in life; dark brown lateral field present, speckled with light blue spots a single scale wide; ventral surfaces uniform light blue in preservative, darker on the chin; brown spotting absent from chin, abdomen, thighs and precloacal region; light brown spotting present on ventral surfaces of tail; palmar and plantar surfaces light brown. Comparisons: Ornithuroscincus bengaun differs from all other species of Ornithuroscincus by its distinct colour pattern consisting of uniform bronze mid-dorsum with distinct, thick, pale brown dorsolateral stripes. It further differs from O.albodorsalis, O.nototaenia, O.sabini and O. cf. venemai in having fused (vs. unfused) frontoparietals and by lacking a parietal eye spot (vs. present). It further differs from O. cf. venemai by having a higher count of midbody scale rows (30 vs. 24–26; Brongersma, 1953a). It further differs from O. albodorsalis, O. noctua and O. nototaenia by having a higher count of midbody scale rows (30 vs. 22–26, 23–28 and 24–25, respectively; Zweifel, 1979; Shea & Greer, 2002). Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, in shallow contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated by frontonasal and frontal contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly, suture with frontoparietal shallowly convex; frontoparietals fused, in contact with frontal; interparietal smaller than fused frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietal, posteriormost supraocular and pretemporals; nuchals single pair, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale of similar size to nuchal. Anterior loreal smaller than posterior loreal, higher than long; posterior loreal roughly as high as long; lower preocular rectangular; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presuboculars two; postsuboculars two, lower interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with an opaque palpebral disc of roughly similar size as ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost in shallow contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between penultimate and posteriormost supralabial; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderate sized and oval shaped, without lobules. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials six; enlarged chin shields three pairs, the first pair in medial contact, second pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, third pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 30 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 55; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning before third interphalangeal joint, six single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 20, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 17), dorsum uniform bronze; dorsolateral stripes present as thick (1.0–1.5 scales wide), unfragmented, slightly zigzag pale brown stripes extending from orbital region to tail, framed laterally by thin, dark brown stripes; dark brown lateral field present, extending from dorsolateral stripe ventrally to just above the limbs, and speckled with pale blue spots a single scale wide; head scales similar in coloration to dorsal scales, apart from palercoloured supraciliaries, which make up anterior edges of dorsolateral stripe; ventral surfaces uniformly pale blue in preservative, darker on the chin, and lacking brown spotting on the chin, abdomen, thighs and precloacal region; light brown spotting present on ventral surfaces of tail; palmar and plantar surfaces light brown. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces uniform olive green (Fig. 16). Dorsolateral stripes paler bronze. Lateral field medium brown, darker along dorsal margin, flecked with pale bronze (dorsally) or white (ventrally) spots a single scale wide. Field notes in life stated: “Olive green above with metallic yellow-brown dorsolateral stripe; sides brown with pale yellow-brown spots. Face brown; temporal region brown with metallic green sheen. Chin white with pale green sheen, chest and abdomen metallic green yellow, under tail orange”. Etymology: The name is from the Daga word bengaun, a small, dark lizard. Daga is the language spoken in the area from which this species was collected. Distribution: Known from a single specimen collected at 1860 m a.s.l. on the northern slopes of the Owen Stanley Mts, near the saddle between Mt Dayman and Mt Suckling. Natural history: The single specimen was collected in primary rainforest, but no information on microhabitat is available. Conservation status: Only known from a single specimen, and more information is required for a proper assessment. It does not occur near any protected areas, but it occurs in a large, unbroken band of untouched mid-elevation forest that has no serious human habitat disturbance. We recommend assigning a status of Data Deficient to O. bengaun.

ORNITHUROSCINCUS PTEROPHILUS SP. NOV. MOUNT VICTORIA SMOOTH- EARED SKINK (FIGS 16, 20–21; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 8D6F7129-1240-4F5A-B31E-0AD103CAA139 Holotype: BPBM 45705 (field tag AA 23742), adult female, collected by A. Allison at grasslands, 8.9592°S, 147.5745°E (WGS 84), 2813 m a.s.l., SE slopes of Mt Victoria, Northern (Oro) Province, Papua New Guinea, 15 August 2015. Paratypes (N = 17): Papua New Guinea: Central Province: Crest of Owen Stanley Mts along the Kokoda Track: 1900 Crossing Campsite, 9.1288°S, 147.7264°E (WGS 84), 1936 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44634–37, 44843–44, 44855; one male, three females, three juveniles); Myola 2 Guest House, 9.1509°S, 147.7675°E (WGS 84), 2076 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44859; juvnile); Northern (Oro) Province: Chopper Pad Camp, 8.9738°S, 147.5697°E (WGS 84), 2680 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45669, 45710–11; one male, one female, one juvenile); grasslands, 8.9554°S, 147.5764°E (WGS 84), 2805 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45704; female); grasslands, 8.9594°S, 147.5740°E (WGS 84), 2820 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45706; juvenile); 8.9585°S, 147.5751°E (WGS 84), 2817 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45713; male); 8.9591°S, 147.5743°E (WGS 84), 2836 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45714; male); 8.9585°S, 147.5753°E (WGS 84), 2814 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45715; female); 8.95919°S, 147.5742°E (WGS 84), 2830 m a.s.l. (BPBM 45716; female). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Ornithuroscincus (adult SVL 50.1–62.3 mm) characterized by the unique combination of short limbs (forelimbs 27.0–33.7% of SVL, hindlimbs 33.3–42.5% of SVL); frontoparietals unfused; nuchals 1–4 pairs; paravertebral scales 50–67; midbody scale rows 28–42; 4 th digit on front foot not longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 17–23 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–8 on 4 th toe; dorsum light brown with two to four more-or-less transverse longitudinal rows of dark brown to black spots of varying width, at their widest giving the impression of black base coloration with light brown striations, often joining to create two transverse rows of dark spots along tail; dark brown to black lateral stripe or field present; dorsolateral stripes present as thin (up to a single scale wide), unfragmented or zigzag light brown stripes extending from orbital region to tail; flanks marked with parallel fragmented light brown to white vertical bars extending ventrally from dorsolateral stripes; uniform coloration on abdomen, thighs and precloacal region, light to dark blue in preservative, lime green in life; brown spotting occasionally occurs on thighs and precloacal region; ventral surface of tail light to dark blue in preservative, lemon yellow in life, with occasional brown spotting; palmar and plantar surfaces light to dark brown in preservative, light or dark brown to lemon yellow in life. Comparisons: Ornithuroscincus pterophilus differs from O. bengaun in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It further differs from O. albodorsalis, O. noctua, O. nototaenia and O. cf. venemai in lacking a parietal eye spot (vs. present). It differs from O. inornatus and O. cf. venemai in having a light brown dorsum with dark spots and thin (up to a single scale wide) light brown dorsolateral stripes that are clearly distinguished from the base dorsal coloration [vs. uniformly light brown dorsum with thick (one to two scales wide) light brown dorsolateral stripes, extending in thickness towards the base of the tail, diffusely demarcated from the base dorsal coloration in O. inornatus; deep olive grey dorsum powdered with brown, with broad dorsolateral white stripes becoming broader posteriorly in O. cf. venemai (Brongersma, 1953a)]. Ornithuroscincus inornatus also lacks the parallel light brown vertical bars that occur on the flanks of O. pterophilus. It further differs from O. inornatus in slightly larger size (adult SVL 50.1–62.3 mm vs. 47.9 mm) and from O. cf. venemai by having a higher count of midbody scale rows (28–42 vs. 24–26; Brongersma, 1953a). Ornithuroscincus pterophilus is most similar in coloration to O. sabini, from which it differs in having less pronounced dorsolateral stripes, a flank pattern composed of parallel fragmented vertical bars (vs. scattered specks in O. sabini) and a blue (lime green in life) venter in preservative [vs. white venter in preservative (lemon yellow or white in life) in O. sabini]. Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, in narrow contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated by frontal and frontonasal contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal wedge shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in contact with posterior three supraoculars and anteriorly in contact with frontal; interparietal smaller than single frontoparietal, almost triangular shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and pretemporals; nuchals two pairs, transversely enlarged, at least twice as wide as long, anteriormost pair in contact with single secondary temporals. Anterior loreal similar in size to posterior loreal, both higher than long; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single and rectangular in shape; postsuboculars two, lower interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost in narrow contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between penultimate and posteriormost supralabial; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large and oval shaped, without lobules. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials six; enlarged chin shields three pairs, the first pair in medial contact, second pair narrowly separated by a single medial scale, third pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 42 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 60; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 20, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 20), dorsum light brown, with four transverse longitudinal rows of small dark brown spots no more than a single scale wide, lateralmost rows in contact with dorsolateral stripes and composed of larger spots, one to two scales long; dark brown spots gradually become smaller posteriorly until tail surface becomes uniformly light brown; dorsolateral stripes present in zigzag formation, no more than a single scale wide, extending continuously from orbital region to base of tail; dorsolateral stripes bordered laterally by dark brown fields extending to above limbs, these bordered ventrally by light grey field, itself bordered ventrally by blue venter; lateral fields marked with parallel vertical bars of pale blue spots one to two scales wide and long, extending from dorsolateral stripes ventrally; head similar to dorsum, with dark scale margins and some dark brown spotting, particularly in parietal region; slightly lighter on snout and supraciliaries; labials dark brown at margins and pale blue in centre; venter pale blue, with light brown dusting on proximal third of tail, thighs and precloacal region; palmar surfaces light brown, plantar surfaces white, digits dark brown. In life (Figs 16, 21), dorsal colour light brown, with pale yellow to white dorsolateral stripes; lateral field black dorsally, light brown ventrally, diffusing to ventral surfaces, with parallel heavily fragmented vertical bars extending ventrally from dorsolateral stripes, made up of pale yellow spots; chest and abdomen lime green; ventral surfaces of proximal third of tail, thighs and precloacal region lemon yellow; ventral surface of distal twothirds of tail white; palmar and plantar surfaces lemon yellow to dark brown. Variation: Adult body size 50.1–62.3 mm SVL (mean = 55.9, SD = 4.2, N = 12). Females (mean = 57.4, range = 51.6–62.3, SD = 3.8, N = 8) have larger average size than males (mean = 53.0, range = 50.1– 57.7, SD = 3.6, N = 4). Forelimbs 27.0–33.7% of SVL (mean = 30.4%, SD = 2.2, N = 12). Hindlimbs 33.3– 42.5% of SVL (mean = 38.0%, SD = 2.7, N = 12). Scale rows at midbody 28–42 (mean = 33.4, SD = 4.58, N = 18), with lower counts for specimens from the Kokoda Track (BPBM 44634–37, 44843–44, 44855 and 44859; range = 28–31) vs. Mt Victoria (BPBM 45669, 45704–06, 45710–11 and 45713–16; range = 30–42); paravertebral scales 50–67 (mean = 60.4, SD = 3.91, N = 18). Lamellae under 4th toe 17–23 (mean = 19.9, SD = 1.7, N = 18); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 4–8 (mean = 4.3, SD = 1.18, N = 18). Mostly 1–4 pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 44843 has two nuchals on left side and one on right and BPBM 44844 lacks nuchal on right side, with only single nuchal on left side. Nuchals typically wider than long but roughly as wide as long in BPBM 44635, 44844 and 45713. Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by single smaller intercalated scale (N = 13), rarely by two (N = 1) and occasionally by none (N = 4). Prefrontals either in narrow medial contact (N = 8) or separated by contact of frontal and frontonasal (N = 10). Nasal scale single in all but BPBM 44637, where nasal scale is divided by suture extending medioposteriorly from nostril. Presubocular almost always single (N = 16), but absent in BPBM 44843, and two in BPBM 44635. Supraciliaries either seven (N = 5) or eight (N = 13). Anteriormost supraciliary either in contact with frontal (N = 11) or not (N = 7). Postsuboculars usually two (N = 14), occasionally three (N = 4). Secondary temporals usually two (N = 13), but occasionally one (N = 4), and in BPBM 45713 three. Supralabials almost always seven (N = 16), rarely six (N = 2). Posteriormost supralabial fragmented by horizontal suture on left side in BPBM 44635. Infralabials usually six (N = 15), rarely seven (N = 2) or eight (N = 1). Dark brown spots on dorsum vary from small and hardly distinguishable (BPBM 44855) to large enough to form the appearance of dark brown base coloration (BPBM 45669 and 45710). In general, populations from higher elevations on Mt Victoria (BPBM 45669– 716) have darker dorsal coloration than populations from lower elevations along the Kokoda Track (BPBM 44634–859). Dorsolateral stripes distinct in all but BPBM 44843 and 44845, in which they are indistinguishable in preservative, but were extremely pale in life. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces light to dark coppery brown, with small to large dark brown to black spots in two to four more-or-less transverse rows, often extending into two transverse rows along tail (Figs 16, 21). Dorsolateral stripes pale yellow. Sides dark brown to jet black, diffusely giving way ventrally to lighter brown, marked with parallel vertical bars of pale white spots. Venter uniform lime green, often with lemon yellow on tail, precloacal region and thighs. Yellow occasionally absent (BPBM 44843) and lime-green ventral coloration can be pale (BPBM 44843 and 45710). Chin often paler than abdomen. Ventral surfaces of tail and precloacal region occasionally marked with dark brown spots. Juveniles appear to have bright orange tails. Palmar and plantar surfaces light or dark brown to lemon yellow. Etymology: Masculine Latinized compound adjective derived from the Greek pteris, fern, and philos, lover of, reflecting that most specimens collected on Mt Victoria were found sheltered between fronds of tree ferns. Distribution: Known only from 1936–2836 m a.s.l. in the south-eastern Owen Stanley Mountains, Papua New Guinea. Currently two populations are known: one from the south-eastern slopes of Mt Victoria (2680–2840 m a.s.l.) and one from the crest of the Owen Stanley Mountains along the Kokoda Track, at “1900 Crossing” (9.1288°S, 147.7264°E; WGS 84) and a single specimen from the nearby Myola dry lake beds. Presumably, O. pterophilus occurs more broadly around Mt Victoria in suitable habitats, but its exact distribution remains to be determined. Nevertheless, it is likely that, similar to most other species of Ornithuroscincus, its overall distribution is narrow. Natural history: On Mt Victoria, most animals were found in the Isuani Basin high-elevation grassland (> 2800 m a.s.l.), dominated by Gleichenia vulcanica Blume ferns, together with a variety of grasses and sedges, particularly Calamagrostis, Danthonia, Deschampsia, Gahnia and Poa together with Astelia (Asteliaceae). There are clumps of shrubs, particularly on the grassland margins, dominated by Gaultheria mundula F.Muell., Dimorphanthera spp., Rhododendron spp., Vaccinium amblyandrum F.Muell, Acrothamnus suaveolens (Hook.f.) Quinn and Hypericum spp. Animals were found sheltered between fronds of tree ferns (Alsophila spp.) during daytime hours, with air temperatures between 17 and 18°C. Animals were not observed as active, but this may have been due to drought conditions induced by the 2015–16 El Niño. Three animals were collected from regenerating cloud forest at slightly lower elevations (“Chopper Pad Camp”, 2680 m a.s.l.), also under shelter. The area had apparently been cleared 5–10 years previously and was dominated by second growth, particularly Decaspermum sp. and other myrtaceous shrubs and small trees. Nearby mature cloud forest was dominated by the conifer, Dacrycarpus compactus (Wasscher) de Laub., which forms nearly pure stands in many areas fringing the grassland. Reproduction: Viviparous. Litter size varies between 2–3 (mean 2.3, N = 4). Conservationstatus: Populationsizeandtrendunknown, but animals were not abundant in sampled localities. Based on the populations sampled herein, O. pterophilus has an extent of occurrence of 156 km 2 and an area of occupancy of 20 km 2 (based on occupation of 4 km 2 cells; both calculated using http://geocat.kew.org/). It does not occur near any protected areas. The species appears to be most common in high-elevation grasslands, and the availability of such habitats would therefore greatly impact its exact distribution boundaries. Shortly after the type series was collected there, the grasslands on Mt Victoria experienced extensive anthropogenically-caused bushfires exacerbated by a drought induced by the 2015–2016 El Niño. This likely damaged the habitat and thus the population there. Future warming and severe ENSO events due to climate change are likely to cause continued degradation of suitable habitat. Therefore, we recommend assigning a status of Endangered B1ab(iii) to O. pterophilus.

LOBULIA MARMORATA SP. NOV. MARBLED MOSS SKINK (FIGS 6, 13–14; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 1E3599CA-0E98-43C5-9BD8-7F977A3E6C65 Holotype: BPBM 34150 (field tag FK 12731), adult male, collected by F. Kraus at 5.639°S, 142.625°E (WGS 84), 1900 m a.s.l., Muller Range, Hela Province, Papua New Guinea, 23 March 2009. Paratypes (N = 32): Papua New Guinea: Hela Province: Muller Range: same locality as holotype (BPBM 34151– 55, 34157; two males, two females, two juveniles); 5.652°S, 142.634°E (WGS 84), 1800 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34156, 34162–23; two males, one female); “ Mt Yakapi ”, 5.666°S, 142.643°E (WGS 84), 1966 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34158–60; two males, one female); “ Point 17 = Dickson’s Village ”, 5.64°S, 142.628°E (WGS 84), 1859 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34164–5, 34169–70, PNGNM 25284; two males, one female, two juveniles); “ Kunida ”, 5.6431°S, 142.634°E (WGS 84), 1910 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34166–8; one male, two females); “ Dickson’s House ”, 5.6454°S, 142.639°E (WGS 84), 1777 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34171–73, 34177, PNGNM 25281–83; four males, three females); 5.652°S, 142.643°E (WGS 84), 1860 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34174–76; one male, two females); 5.639°S, 142.625°E (WGS 84), 1900 m a.s.l. (BPBM 34178; male); “ Top House ”, 5.6591°S, 142.635°E (WGS 84), 1910 m a.s.l. (PNGNM 25285; male). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Lobulia (adult SVL 41.9–56.9 mm), characterized by the unique combination of frontoparietals fused; supraorbital ridges typically pronounced; nuchals 2–4 pairs; paravertebral scales 46–56; mid-body scale rows 30–34; 4 th digit on front foot longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 20–25 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–4 on 4 th toe; mid-dorsum with two rows of large dark brown spots converging to a single row roughly around midbody; top of tail with two rows of dark brown spots joining ventrally with dark lateral stripes along the tail length; light blue or white dorsolateral stripes absent; flanks dark brown spotted with grey; light blue or white lateral stripes absent; uniform coloration on abdomen and base of tail, lemon yellow in life, light blue in preservative; thighs and precloacal region without brown spotting; tail and chin uniform light blue speckled with brown spots; palmar and plantar surfaces dark yellow in life, light brown in preservative. Comparisons: Lobulia marmorata differs from Lo. elegans, Lo. lobulus and Lo. huonensis in having fused vs. unfused frontoparietals. Lobulia marmorata is most similar in scalation and coloration to Lo. brongersmai, but differs from it in having a higher average count of midbody scale rows [31.5 (30–34) vs. 29 (27–32)], a dark blotch on the nuchal region, posterior to the parietals, and a generally darker coloration due to larger size of the dark brown dorsal spots relative to the base grey coloration. Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with eight sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, in broad contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated by frontonasal and frontal contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietal; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietal single, anteriorly in contact with frontal, posteriorly with interparietal and parietals; interparietal smaller than fused frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietal, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals two pairs, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale, with a third nuchal on the right side. Anterior loreal slightly smaller than posterior loreal, roughly as long as high; posterior loreal longer than high; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars three, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc roughly the size of ear opening; supraciliaries nine, anteriormost in narrow contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, ventrally contacting posteriormost supralabial; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large, with lobules along anterior margin. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials seven; enlarged chin shields four pairs, the first two pairs in medial contact, third pair narrowly separated by a single medial scale, fourth pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 31 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 50; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 20, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 13), base dorsal coloration grey-brown, with two mid-dorsal parallel rows of large dark brown spots two to four scales long, converging posterior to forelimbs to form a single continuous mid-dorsal dark stripe with transverse lateral projections, extending to base of tail; on dorsal surface of tail, two parallel rows of dark brown blotches extending medially from dark brown lateral stripes; light blue or white dorsolateral stripes absent, but parallel dorsolateral rows of dark brown blotches present, extending laterally to lateral fields; lateral field dark brown, speckled with grey spots; light blue or white lateral stripe absent; head similar in coloration to dorsum; dark brown spotting on head scales, mostly along scale margins, with large dark spot in centre of frontal; large dark blotch in nuchal region formed by dark coloration on the posterior margins of parietals and medial margins of nuchals; ventral surfaces uniform light blue; brown dusting present on chin; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces light brown, contrasting with dark brown digits. In life (Figs 6, 14), dorsum greyish with black mid-dorsal spots; lateral field brown with white spotting; chin white; chest, abdomen, thighs, precloacal region and base of tail lemon yellow, with tail becoming white posteriorly; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces dark yellow. Variation: Adult body size 41.9–56.9 mm SVL (mean = 48.1, SD = 3.8, N = 29). Females (mean = 50.5, range: 42–56.9, SD = 4.0, N = 12) larger than males (mean = 46.4, range: 41.9–50.5, SD = 2.6, N = 17; t = 3.4, P N = 29). Hindlimbs 44.1– 53.4% of SVL (mean = 47.5%, SD = 2.8, N = 29). Scale rows at midbody 30–34 (mean = 31.5, SD = 0.9, N = 33); paravertebral scales 46–56 (mean = 51.2, SD = 2.2, N = 33). Lamellae under 4th toe 20–25 (mean = 22.5, SD = 1.2, N = 32); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–4 (mean = 3.2, SD = 0.4, N = 32). Mostly 2–4 pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 34150–51, 34155–56, 34166, 34169–71, 34173, 34178 and PNGNM 25281 have an asymmetrical number of nuchals, with one more nuchal either on left side (N = 6) or on right side (N = 5). Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by single smaller intercalated scale (N = 27), rarely by none on left side and one on right (N = 1), one on left side and two on right (N = 1), two on left side and one on right (N = 3) or two on both sides (N = 1). Supraorbital ridges usually pronounced (N = 25), but occasionally not (N = 8). Frontonasal usually as wide as long (N = 25), occasionally longer than wide (N = 8). Frontonasal fragmented in PNGNM 25285. Interparietal fused with frontoparietal in BPBM 34151 and 34153. Loreals typically two (N = 29), rarely three (N = 4). Supraciliaries either eight (N = 15) or nine (N = 18). Anteriormost supraciliary usually not in contact with frontal (N = 22), sometimes in narrow contact (N = 11). Postsuboculars rarely two (N = 2), typically three (N = 24), occasionally four (N = 7). Supralabials rarely six (N = 1), typically seven (N = 20), occasionally eight (N = 12). Infralabials typically seven (N = 25), occasionally eight (N = 8). Mental split medially in BPBM 34160. Chin shields typically four on both sides (N = 31), rarely five on right side (N = 2). Infralabials posterior to contact with chin shields occasionally zero (N = 7), usually one (N = 24), rarely two (N = 2). Colour pattern of all specimens generally similar to holotype, with a few exceptions. Size of mid-dorsal dark brown spots, and location at which two anterior rows converge to form single posterior row vary between individuals. In some individuals, dark blotches form a continuous thick stripe posterior to convergence; in others form a row of dark blotches. BPBM 34174 has continuous, unfrgamented lateral stripes. Degree of brown speckling on chin varies from almost no brown spots (BPBM 34156) to chin shields being almost uniformly brown (BPBM 34152). Colour in life: Notes for the holotype (BPBM 34150) stated “Dorsum tan with irregular black zigzags vertebrally and dorsolaterally, tan scales margined in black. Face black. Chest, belly, and under rear legs deep orange-yellow; chin and throat white with black spots. Mouth lining and tongue blue-black.” Paratypes BPBM 34152 and BPBM 34155 had the venter entirely white. Etymology: Feminine Latin adjective meaning “marbled”, in reference to the marbled grey and dark brown dorsal coloration of the species. Distribution: Known only from 1777–1966 m a.s.l. on the north-eastern slopes of the Muller Range, Hela Province, where it occurs in sympatry with another, currently undescribed, species of Lobulia (BPBM 34161) having unfused frontoparietals. Natural history: This species was locally common in the village areas and surrounding cleared areas; it was never observed in forested situations. Reproduction: Viviparous. Litter size varies between 2–3 (mean 2.4, N = 9). Conservation status: The species is locally abundant in the areas where collected although the population trend is unknown. Based on the available samples, Lo. marmorata has an extent of occurrence of 2.5 km 2 and an area of occupancy of 16 km 2 (based on occupation of 4 km 2 cells; both calculated using http://geocat.kew.org/). However, it is likely distributed in other localities of suitable habitat in the Muller Range. It does not occur near any protected areas. Further research is needed to discern its true distributional boundaries, potential threats and demographic trends for a proper assessment. We recommend assigning a status of Data Deficient to Lo. marmorata., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 257-258, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695

ORNITHUROSCINCUS VIRIDIS SP. NOV. GREEN SMOOTH- EARED SKINK (FIGS 16, 23–24; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 1D260000-8B53-4698-ADC4-A0374C1FD2C1 Holotype: BPBM 44744 (field tag AA 23450), gravid adult female with two embryos, collected by O. Tallowin at Myola 2, 9.1509°S, 147.7678°E (WGS 84), 2075 m a.s.l., crest of Owen Stanley Mts along the Kokoda Track, Central Province, Papua New Guinea, 5 April 2014. Paratypes (N = 16): Papua New Guinea: Central Province: Crest of Owen Stanley Mts along the Kokoda Track: Myola 2 Guest House, 9.1509°S, 147.7675°E (WGS 84), 2076 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44729–38; four males, five females, one juvenile); Myola 1, 9.1508°S, 147.7675°E (WGS 84), 2057 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44739; female); Myola 1, 9.1506°S, 147.7672°E (WGS 84), 2072 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44740; male); Myola 1, 9.1509°S, 147.7675°E (WGS 84), 2076 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44741–42; two males); same locality as holotype (BPBM 44743; male); Myola 2, 9.1509°S, 147.7679°E (WGS 84), 2076 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44745; male). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Ornithuroscincus (adult SVL 42.1–54.8 mm) characterized by the unique combination of short limbs (forelimbs 25.7–30.8% of SVL, hindlimbs 29.0–40.6% of SVL); frontoparietals unfused; nuchals 1–3 pairs; paravertebral scales 57–70; mid-body scale rows 32–41; 4 th digit on front foot not longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 12–18 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–5 on 4 th toe; dorsal coloration light to dark brown in preservative, light to dark greenish brown in life; dark brown to black lateral field present; dorsolateral stripes absent; flanks speckled with spots no more than a single scale wide, blue in preservative, green in life; uniform coloration on abdomen, thighs and precloacal region that lacks brown spotting, light blue in preservative, bright green in life; tail uniformly light blue more or less speckled with light brown spots; palmar and plantar surfaces brown. Comparisons: Ornithuroscincus. viridis differs from all other species of Ornithuroscincus in lacking dorsolateral stripes, having shorter relative limb length (forelimbs 25.7–30.8% of SVL and hindlimbs 29.0–40.6% of SVL vs. forelimbs 27.0–36.3% of SVL and hindlimbs 33.3– 47.3% of SVL) and a lower average count of subdigital lamellae under 4 th toe (15.8, range = 12–18 vs. 20.2, range = 17–23). It further differs from O. bengaun and O. shearmani in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It further differs from O. albodorsalis, O. noctua, O. nototaenia and O. cf. venemai by lacking a parietal eye spot (vs. present) and by having a higher count of midbody scale rows [32–41 vs. 22–26, 23–28, 24–25 and 24–26, respectively (Brongersma, 1953a; Zweifel, 1979; Shea & Greer, 2002)]. Ornithuroscincus viridis is most similar in body proportions and scalation to its sister species, O. pterophilus. However, it differs by being slightly smaller on average (mean adult SVL 49.7 mm, range = 42.1–54.8 vs. 55.9 mm, range = 50.1–62.3), in having shorter relative limb length (mean forelimbs 28.2% of SVL, range = 25.7–30.8 and hindlimbs 35.0% of SVL, range = 29.0–40.6 vs. mean forelimbs 30.4% of SVL, range = 27.0–33.7 and hindlimbs 38.0% of SVL, range = 33.3–42.5), a lower average count of subdigital lamellae under the 4 th toe (15.8, range = 12–18 vs. 19.9, range = 17–23), primary nuchal scales being usually as wide as long (15 of 17) vs. wider than long (15 of 18), and most easily by colour pattern: O. viridis lacks dorsolateral stripes (vs. present in O. pterophilus), has uniform light to dark brown dorsal coloration (vs. light brown spotted with dark brown to black spots) and in life has a slight greenish tint to its dorsal coloration and bright green ventral surfaces (vs. lime green usually with lemon yellow on precloacal region and thighs). Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal (slightly closer to supralabials than to frontonasal); frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, not contacting frontal; prefrontals large, in narrow medial contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in narrow contact with frontal; interparietal of roughly similar area to single frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals single pair, transversely enlarged, irregularly shaped, roughly as wide as long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale. Anterior loreal similar in size to posterior loreal, both higher than long; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars three, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries seven, anteriormost not in contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between posterior two supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large and oval shaped, without lobules. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials six; enlarged chin shields three pairs, the first pair in medial contact, second pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, third pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 33 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 70; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of fourth toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, five single scales; subdigital lamellae on fourth toe 18, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 23), dorsum uniform light brown; dorsolateral stripes absent; dorsal pattern sharply replaced by dark brown lateral fields, gradually becoming lighter ventrally; lateral field speckled with multiple pale blue spots one scale wide; head similar in coloration to dorsum, slightly lighter on snout and supraciliaries; labials dark brown at margins, pale blue in centre; venter pale blue with slight brown dusting at edges of scales laterally; light brown dusting more pronounced under tail; palmar and plantar surfaces dark brown. In life (Figs 16, 24), dorsum dark brown with green tint, becoming lighter dorsolaterally; lateral field black, speckled with multiple green spots a single scale wide, specks extending to margins of dorsal field; venter bright green, lemon yellow under tail; palmar and plantar surfaces dark brown. Variation: Adult body size 42.1–54.8 mm SVL (mean = 49.7, SD = 3.7, N = 16). Females (mean = 49.9, range = 42.1–54.8, SD = 4.8, N = 7) and males (mean = 49.5, range = 44.1–53.4, SD = 2.9, N = 9) of similar size. Forelimbs 25.7–30.8% of SVL (mean = 28.2%, SD = 1.5, N = 16). Hindlimbs 29.0– 40.6% of SVL (mean = 35.0%, SD = 2.6, N = 16). Scale rows at midbody 32–41 (mean = 36.2, SD = 2.7, N = 17); paravertebral scales 57–70 (mean = 62.8, SD = 3, N = 17). Lamellae under fourth toe 12–18 (mean = 15.8, SD = 1.59, N = 17); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–5 (mean = 3.4, SD = 0.7, N = 17). Mostly 1–3 pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 44734 lacks nuchal on left side, with only single nuchal on right side. Nuchals typically roughly as wide as long (N = 15), rarely wider than long (N = 2). Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by a single smaller intercalated scale (N = 13), rarely by two (N = 2) or none (N = 2). Prefrontals in medial contact in all but BPBM 44733, where separated by a single, azygous scale. Loreals two in all but BPBM 44740, where loreal single. Supraciliaries either seven (N = 7) or eight (N = 8), rarely nine (N = 2). Anteriormost supraciliary either in contact with frontal (N = 9) or not (N = 8). Posteriormost supraciliary usually projecting medially (N = 15), but rarely in line with all other supraciliaries (N = 2). Postsuboculars usually two (N = 14), rarely three (N = 3). Secondary temporals usually two (N = 13), but rarely one (N = 2) or three (N = 2). Posteriormost supralabial fragmented by horizontal suture on left side in three specimens (BPBM 44729, 44740 and 44743). Infralabials either six (N = 12) or seven (N = 5). Infralabials posterior to contact with chin shields usually one (N = 14), rarely two (N = 2) or three (N = 1). Colour pattern of all specimens generally similar to holotype, with few exceptions. BPBM 44732, 44737, 44741 and 44743 have sparse dark brown spotting on dorsum extending to tail, most pronounced in BPBM 44743. BPBM 44743 has a coppery brown dorsum with light margins, bordered medially by dark brown spotting, creating the appearance of light dorsolateral stripes. Palmar and plantar surfaces of BPBM 44735– 36 lighter brown. Colour in life: Dorsum light to dark brown, often with green tint, usually uniform but rarely with sparse dark brown spotting (Figs 16, 24). Green tint not extending to tail, which remains brown. Sides dark brown to jet black, sharply demarcated from dorsum and speckled lightly or heavily with bright green spots a single scale wide. Sides becoming gradually lighter towards venter, dark lateral field of varying width. Venter uniformly bright green, less pronounced on tail and often changing to lemon yellow, with light brown dusting laterally, more pronounced under tail. Etymology: From the Latin single-ending adjective viridis, green, in reference to the diagnostic coloration of the species in life. Distribution: Knownonlyfromhigh-elevationgrasslands at 2052–2076 m a.s.l. on the crest of the Owen Stanley Mountains in the Myola dry lakebeds along the Kokoda Track. Little is known about its distribution elsewhere, but it appears to be absent from nearby montane habitats (e.g. 1900 Crossing, 9.1288°S, 147.7264°E; WGS 84), as well as from similar high-elevation grasslands on the southern slopes of Mt Victoria, both localities where its sister species, O. pterophilus, occurs. Natural history: All of our specimens of O. viridis were collected from underneath logs at the edge of a large (c. 800 ha) expanse of partially swampy grassland that is generally interpreted as an ancient lake bed that has filled in with sediment. The grasses include a mixture of native and introduced species, namely Anthoxanthum horsfieldii (Kunth ex Benn.) Reeder, Capillipedium parviflorum (R.Br.) Stapf, Dimeria chloridiformis (Gaudich.) K.Schum. & Lauterb., Isachne myosotis Nees, Miscanthus floridulus (Labill.) Warb. ex K.Schum. & Lauterb., Paspalum scrobiculatum L. and Sacciolepis indica (L.) Chase. These grasses, together with a rich array of sedges, formed a continuous, generally low ground cover that was similar in overall aspect to a temperate meadow. This formation, which is unusual in montane New Guinea, has a different appearance from the high-elevation tussock grasslands that dominate most alpine regions. The area where the lizards were collected was bordered by a rich, upper montane forest about 15–25 m tall, with an uneven canopy. Aspect dominant species of trees included Saurauia sp., Opocunonia nymanii (K.Schum.) Schltr., Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume, Elaeocarpus fuscoides Knuth, Elaeocarpus murukkai Coode, Elaeocarpus sayeri F.Muell., Elaeocarpus trichophyllus A.C.Sm., Sloanea tieghemii (F.Muell.) A.C.Sm., Lithocarpus lauterbachii (Seemen) Markgr., Lithocarpus rufovillosus (Markgr.) Rehder, Galbulimima sp., Litsea albida (Kosterm.) Kosterm., Syzygium benjaminum Diels, Syzygium callianthum Merr. & L.M.Perry, Syzygium homichlophilum Diels, Syzygium subalatum (Ridl.) Merr. & L.M.Perry, Pandanus spp., Melicope conjugata T.G.Hartley, Melicope rubra (K.Schum. & Lauterb.) T.G.Hartley, Melicope stellulata T.G.Hartley and Archboldiodendron sp. Pulle’s southern beech, Nothofagus pullei Steenis, occurs on some steep ridges. The understory includes Decaspermum exiguum Merr. & L.M.Perry, Tasmannia piperita (Hook.f.) Miers and a rich array of Ericaceae. We visited the area during inclement weather and did not observe the lizards when they were active. We found them only under logs in the grassland, not in the adjacent forest. We therefore infer that they are a grassland species. Reproduction: Viviparous. Litter size of all three gravid females 2. Conservation status: The species is locally abundant at the type locality, although the population trend is unknown. It does not occur near any protected areas. We did not find it in other grasslands in the overall area, including another ancient grassland-filled lakebed that was located nearby at a slightly lower elevation. This, along with its apparent absence from nearby localities where sympatric lizard taxa occur (such as O. pterophilus or Papuascincus sp.), would suggest this species may have a restricted distribution, limited to the c. 800 ha grassland. Local landowners, accompanied by dogs, are with increasing frequency establishing hunting camps in the area. Feral pigs were observed foraging nearby. Dogs and pigs are both known to prey on the lizards. Given the relatively small area of occurrence of O. viridis and these threats from introduced predators, we recommend assigning a status of Vulnerable D2 to it., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 268-270, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Brongersma LD. 1953 a. Notes on New Guinean reptiles and amphibians. I. Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (Series C) 56: 137 - 142.","Zweifel RG. 1979. Variation in the scincid lizard Lipinia noctua and notes on other Lipinia from the New Guinea region. American Museum Novitates 2676: 1 - 21.","Shea G, Greer AE. 2002. From Spehnomorphus to Lipinia: generic reassignment of two poorly known New Guinea skinks. Journal of Herpetology 36: 148 - 156."]}

LOBULIA FORTIS SP. NOV. MOUNT STRONG MOSS SKINK (FIGS 6, 9–10; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: A3DD9FD2-4D28-4883-A087-249B6C432020 Holotype: BPBM 41149 (field tag AA 21543), adult male, collected by A.Allison at Kesemani, 7.9372°S, 147.0544°E (WGS 84), 1733 m a.s.l., north slope of Mt Strong, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, 25 February 2012. Paratypes (N = 28): Papua New Guinea: Morobe Province: Mt Strong: Arabuka, 7.9838°S, 147.0458°E (WGS 84), 1965 m a.s.l. (BPBM 41127–35, 41141–48; five males, seven females, five juveniles); Lamgatak Camp [Camp 2], 7.9325°S, 147.0399°E (WGS 84), 2161 m a.s.l. (BPBM 41136–40; two males, one female, two juveniles); same locality as holotype (BPBM 41150–55; three males, two females, one juvenile). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Lobulia (adult SVL 45.7–60.5 mm), characterized by the unique combination of frontoparietals unfused; supraorbital ridges not pronounced; nuchals 1–2 pairs; paravertebral scales 55–65; mid-body scale rows 34–37; 4 th digit on front foot longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 20–25 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–5 on 4 th toe; mid-dorsum with two rows of large dark brown spots; top of tail base with single row of large dark brown spots; light blue or white dorsolateral stripes absent; flanks dark brown with thin light blue to grey vertical bands; light blue or white lateral stripes absent; uniform coloration on abdomen either lemon yellow (in males) or white (in females) in life, light blue in preservative; thighs and precloacal region without brown spotting; ventral surface of tail lemon yellow in life, becoming white posteriorly, uniform light blue in preservative, either speckled with light brown spots (occasionally forming fragmented parallel longitudinal lines) or with speckling absent; palmar and plantar surfaces lemon yellow in life, light brown in preservative. Comparisons: Lobulia fortis differs from Lo. brongersmai in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It differs from Lo. lobulus in lacking dorsolateral and lateral stripes. Lo. fortis is most similar to Lo. elegans in having unfused frontoparietals and lacking light blue or white dorsolateral and lateral stripes but differs from it in having higher counts of midbody scale rows (34–37 vs. 30–32) and paravertebral scales (55–65 vs. 52–54) and a lower number of nuchal pairs (one or two vs. three). Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, posteriorly in narrow contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated by frontonasal and frontal contact, bordered lateroventrally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal roughly kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in narrow contact with frontal; interparietal of roughly similar area to single frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals single pair, transversely enlarged, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale. Anterior loreal slightly smaller than posterior loreal, both longer than high; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars three, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost not in contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between posterior two supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and ovelapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large, with lobules along anterior margin. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials seven; enlarged chin shields four pairs, the first two pairs in medial contact, third pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, fourth pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 36 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 60; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, four single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 23, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 9), base dorsal coloration grey, with two mid-dorsal parallel rows of large dark brown spots two to four scales long, extending to base of tail and converging to a single row of blotches along tail; dorsolateral stripes absent; lateral field composed of smaller dark brown blotches, roughly parallel to dorsal rows, separated by thin vertical grey lines; lateral stripe absent; head similar in coloration to dorsum, with brown snout; dark brown spotting present on head scales, mostly along scale margins; ventral surfaces uniform light blue; light brown dusting present on chin; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces light brown, contrasting with dark brown digits. In life (Fig. 10), dorsal colour reddish coppery brown with black mid-dorsal spots; chin white; ventral surfaces of chest, abdomen, thighs, precloacal region and tail lemon yellow, with tail becoming white posteriorly; scales on palmar and plantar surfaces lemon yellow. Variation: Adult body size 45.7–60.5 mm SVL (mean = 53.6, SD = 4.9, N = 21). Females (mean = 55.8, range: 47.8–60.5, SD = 4.7, N = 10) larger than males (mean = 51.6, range: 45.7–56.8, SD = 4.4, N = 11; t = 2.1, P = 0.05). Forelimbs 40.6–47.6% of SVL (mean = 43.3%, SD = 1.9, N = 21). Hindlimbs 46.0–54.8% of SVL (mean = 50.2%, SD = 2.4, N = 21). Scale rows at midbody 34–37 (mean = 35.3, SD = 1.0, N = 28); paravertebral scales 55–65 (mean = 58.9, SD = 2.6, N = 28). Lamellae under 4th toe 20–25 (mean = 22.9, SD = 1.2, N = 28); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–5 (mean = 3.5, SD = 0.6, N = 28). Mostly one or two pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 41130, 41135, 41136, 41138, 41145 and 41146 have an asymmetrical number of nuchals, with one more nuchal on left side. Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by single smaller intercalated scale (N = 25), rarely by none on left side and one on right (N = 3). Supraorbital ridges not pronounced in all but BPBM 41152. Frontonasal usually wider than long (N = 25), rarely as long as wide (N = 3). Prefrontals usually separated by frontonasal and frontal contact (N = 20), occasionally in narrow medial contact (N = 7), rarely separated by a single azygous scale (N = 1). Supraciliaries rarely seven (N = 1), typically eight (N = 23), occasionally nine (N = 4). Anteriormost supraciliary usually not in contact with frontal (N = 22), sometimes in narrow contact (N = 6). Presubocular usually single (N = 26), rarely two (N = 2). Postsuboculars usually three (N = 25), rarely four (N = 3). Supralabials typically seven (N = 25), rarely eight (N = 3). Infralabials rarely six (N = 3), typically seven (N = 25). Chin shields typically symmetrical (N = 23), occasionally anteriormost two on left side fused (N = 4), rarely anteriormost two on right side fused (N = 1). Colour pattern of all paratypes generally similar to holotype, with few exceptions. Size of mid-dorsal dark brown spots varies between individuals. BPBM 41136 and 41154 have fragmented lateral stripes, and BPBM 41139 has uniform lateral stripes. BPBM 40334 has dark brown palmar and plantar surfaces. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces coppery brown with two parallel mid-dorsal rows of large dark brown spots (Figs 6, 10). Sides dark brown to jet black, usually with thin coppery vertical stripes between dark blotches, which are more or less parallel to dorsal rows of spots. Chin white. Ventral surfaces of chest, abdomen, precloacal region, thighs and base of tail lemon yellow in adult males and white in females and juveniles. Palmar and planar surfaces lemon yellow. Etymology: From the single-ending Latin adjective, fortis, strong, in reference to Mt Strong, where the type series was collected. Distribution: Specimens examined are from 1733– 2161 m a.s.l. on the northern slopes of Mt Strong. Specimens collected from the vicinity of Wau and Mt Kaindi further north in similar elevations and deposited in BPBM as Lo. elegans were not examined here, but from photos taken in life and appear to have similar coloration patterns to Lo. fortis and therefore possibly also represent Lo. fortis. If true, this would make the distribution of this species extend throughout the north-western Owen Stanley Mts. Natural history: All animals were collected from areas that were covered or formerly covered in lower montane forest (Paijmans, 1975). Trees were generally 20–30 m tall and formed a fairly even, mostly closed canopy. There was a profusion of epiphytic orchids and ferns and a ground flora of scattered herbs and shrubs. Dominant tree taxa included Castanopsis acuminatissima (Blume) A.DC., Lithocarpus celebicus (Miq.) Rehder, Elaeocarpus kaniensis Schltr., Elaeocarpus pycnanthus A.C.Sm., Litsea sp. and Saurauia spp. Southern beech, Nothofagus sp., is common on some ridges above 2100 m. Animals from Langatak were found in forest clearings or in exposed areas along walking tracks. They were exclusively on tree stumps or logs at heights of 2–3 m above the forest floor. The other animals were collected around two villages, Arabuka and Kesemani, within 1–2 km of Langatak, but located within anthropogenous grassland dominated by two native species, Miscanthus floridulus (Labill.) Warb. ex K.Schum. & Lauterb. and Imperata cylindrica (L.) P.Beauv., with patches of the invasive exotic grass, Melinis minutiflora P.Beauv. The lizards were mostly on isolated tree stumps but also occurred on the lower timbers of houses. They were heliothermic and were generally active only during the first few hours of the morning. Other lizard taxa common in the area included at least two species of Papuascincus, Pr. flavipes, species of Emoia Gray, 1845 and at least four species of Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1843. A widely distributed montane frog, Litoria angiana (Boulenger, 1915), is also common. Reproduction: Viviparous. Litter size varies between 2–3 (mean 2.5, N = 6). Conservation status: The species appears locally abundant at the type locality although the population trend is unknown. Based on the population described herein from Mt Strong, the extent of occurrence for Lo. fortis is 0.3 km 2, with an 8 km 2 area of occupancy (based on occupation of 4 km 2 cells; both calculated using http://geocat.kew.org/). If the species has a wider range in the north-western Owen Stanley Mts as described above, its extent of occurrence would be 1458 km 2 and area of occupancy would be 36 km 2. The putative northern populations occur in a protected area, the Mt Kaindi Wildlife Management Area, approximately 2 km from the McAdams National Park. Since it is locally abundant, with no immediate direct threats to the species or indirect threats to its habitat or location, and because it likely occurs over a wide range encompassing at least one protected area, we recommend assigning a status of Least Concern to Lo. fortis, although its true distribution needs to be confirmed through further surveys in the north-western Owen Stanley Mts., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 250-254, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695, {"references":["Paijmans K. 1975. Vegetation of Papua New Guinea and explanatory notes to the vegetation map of Papua New Guinea. CSIRO Land Research Series 35: 1 - 25."]}

ORNITHUROSCINCUS SHEARMANI SP. NOV. SHEARMAN’ S SMOOTH- EARED SKINK (FIGS 16, 22; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: E9C004B6-8694-4984-9FA1-A438E335141D Holotype: BPBM 47915 (field tag AA 19603), adult female, collected by P. Shearman at 9.7192°S, 148.9846°E (WGS 84), 3456 m a.s.l., Mt Suckling, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, 5 September 2009. Diagnosis: A large species of Ornithuroscincus (adult SVL 69.2 mm), characterized by the unique combination of short limbs (forelimbs 28.4% of SVL, hindlimbs 35.6% of SVL); frontoparietals fused; nuchals single pair; paravertebral scales 83; mid-body scale rows 37; 4 th digit on front foot longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 18 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales four on 4 th toe; dorsal coloration jet black; medial dorsal golden striations extending posteriorly from occiput to tail, bordered laterally by fragmented golden stripes made up of narrow spots one to two scales long; dorsolateral stripes present as narrow uniform golden stripes, a half scale wide, extending from postorbital region to tail, bordered on both sides by parallel narrow golden striations; flanks jet black, marked with multiple spots one scale wide, pale blue in preservative, pale yellow in life; ventral surfaces pale blue in preservative, with dark brown blotches on chin and dark brown striations on chest, abdomen, thighs, precloacal region and tail, becoming more pronounced posteriorly; palmar and plantar surfaces dark brown. Comparisons: Ornithuroscincus shearmani is easily distinguished from all other species of Ornithuroscincus by its large size (adult SVL 69.2 vs. 29.4–62.3 mm), high paravertebral scale count (83 vs. 47–70) and unique colour pattern consisting of jet black dorsal coloration with golden mid-dorsal striations. It further differs from O. albodorsalis, O. nototaenia, O. sabini, O. inornatus, O. pterophilus and O. cf. venemai in having fused (vs. unfused) frontoparietals. Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, not contacting frontal; prefrontals large, in shallow medial contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly, suture with frontoparietal shallowly convex; frontoparietal single, partially cleft by a suture on the posterior edge, in contact with frontal; interparietal smaller than fused frontoparietal, diamond shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietal, posteriormost supraocular and pretemporals; single pair of transversely enlarged nuchals, wider than long, separated from secondary temporal by a single smaller intercalated scale on the left side and two fragmented scales, possibly due to damage, on the right side. Anterior loreal similar in size to posterior loreal, higher than long; posterior loreal roughly as high as long; lower preocular wedge shaped; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single, slightly smaller than lower preocular; postsuboculars two, lower interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with an opaque palpebral disc of roughly similar size as ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost not contacting frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between penultimate and posteriormost supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderate sized and oval, without lobules. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials six; enlarged chin shields four on left side and three on right side, the first right in medial contact with first and second left, second right narrowly separated by single medial scale from second and third left, third right separated by three medial scales from third and fourth left; posteriormost chin shield in contact with antepenultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 37 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 83; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, four single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 18, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 22), dorsal colour jet black, extending to tail, with medial dorsal golden striations extending posteriorly from occiput to tail, bordered laterally by fragmented golden stripes made up of thin spots one to two scale long; golden striations become less pronounced posteriorly on tail; dorsolateral stripes present as narrow (0.5 scale wide) unfragmented golden stripes extending from postorbital region to tail, bordered on both sides by parallel narrow golden striations, becoming less pronounced posteriorly on tail; flanks jet black, marked irregularly with multiple pale blue spots one scale wide; head scales dark brown to jet black, lighter brown on snout; anterior margins of head scales light brown to golden; labials dark brown at margins and pale blue or light brown in centre; ventral surfaces pale blue with dark brown blotches on chin and dark brown striations on chest, abdomen, thighs, precloacal region and tail, becoming more pronounced posteriorly; golden spots cover dorsal surfaces of limbs; palmar and plantar surfaces dark brown. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces dark brown to jet black, with medial golden striations extending posteriorly from occiput to tail, bordered laterally by fragmented pale yellow stripes made up of thin spots one to two scales long (Fig. 16). Dorsolateral stripes pale yellow. Sides dark brown to jet black, marked irregularly with multiple pale yellow to white spots a single scale wide. Pale yellow spots cover dorsal surfaces of limbs. Etymology: The species is named in honour of Dr Phil Shearman, who collected the sole specimen. Distribution: Known from a single population near the summit of Mt Suckling in the southern Owen Stanley Mts, at 3456 m a.s.l., of which a single specimen was collected. Natural history: Our single collection, and all additional sightings of O. shearmani, were from a small area on the south-eastern side of a large (c. 450 ha) grassy plateau above the tree line enclosed by ridges of Goë Denedeniwa, a peak within the main summit complex of Mt Suckling. The grasslands were dominated by two tussock-forming species, Chimaerochloa archboldii (Hitchc.) Pirie & H.P.Linder and Deschampsia klossii Ridl., and included pockets of a shrub, Eurya albiflora C.T.White & W.D.Francis (Pentaphylacaceae) and scattered populations of the tree fern Alsophila gleichenioides (C.Chr.) R.M.Tryon. The area was drained by a small stream, with numerous adjacent bogs. The lizards appeared to be confined to a small, dry, rocky area dominated by the woody ground creeper Vaccinium prostratum Sleumer and several small shrubs including Acrothamnus suaveolens, Hypericum papuanum Ridl. and Coprosma papuensis W.R.B.Oliv. They were active for only a few hours each day, beginning at around 08:00–09:00 h, when the first sun reached the area. The temperature during the night generally dropped below -5°C and ground frosts were common. The ambient temperature when the lizards were initially active was only around 5–7°C, but the ground quickly warmed under direct sun. The lizards occurred mostly on scattered rocky outcrops and boulders and were occasionally seen on the ground. Although there appeared to be a wide expanse of suitable habitat along the margins of the plateau, the lizards were confined to this one area. We did not find any other species of amphibians and reptiles on the plateau or on the summit of Goë Denedeniwa. However, the monotreme Zaglossus bartoni (Thomas, 1907) was common in bogs along the stream and wallabies were common in the grasslands. We occasionally saw tree kangaroos (Dendrolagus dorianus Ramsay, 1883), bandicoots and we found a skull of a quoll, Dasyurus albopunctatus Schlegel, 1880. The lizards were extremely wary and difficult to approach. This was a little surprising because the area is rarely visited by people. Although quolls are voracious predators, they tend to be nocturnal so are unlikely to prey upon the lizards. The bandicoot we observed was diurnal and is a possible but unlikely predator. Conservation status: We estimate a population of ~50 individuals at the type locality. Another plateaeu with a similar habitat is located ~ 50–100 m lower in elevation than the topotypic site, but we were unable to survey it to determine if O. shearmani occurs there as well. Thus, true population size and trend is unknown. It does not occur near any protected areas. However, the entire area around the collecting locality is wilderness for many kilometres, and human disturbance in this vast area is virtually unknown. The extremely dark pigmentation of O. shearmani is only found in four other species with alpine distributions: A. alpinus, A. subalpinus, N. glacialis and N. stellaris. This would suggest O. shearmani is an alpine specialist, endemic to the summit of Mt Suckling, and is unlikely to occur in lower elevations nearby. Therefore, global warming is likely to cause range contraction. However, this is also a remote location with few anthropogenic disturbances posing additional immediate threats. Further surveys on Mt Suckling are needed to fully assess its lower distributional boundaries, but since it likely only occurs in a single location, and climate change poses a viable future threat to its persistence, with little suitable habitat to escape to, we recommend assigning a status of Vulnerable D2 to O. shearmani., Published as part of Slavenko, Alex, Tamar, Karin, Tallowin, Oliver J S, Kraus, Fred, Allison, Allen, Carranza, Salvador & Meiri, Shai, 2022, Revision of the montane New Guinean skink genus Lobulia (Squamata: Scincidae), with the description of four new genera and nine new species, pp. 220-278 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 195 (1) on pages 266-267, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab052, http://zenodo.org/record/6530695

ORNITHUROSCINCUS VIRIDIS SP. NOV. GREEN SMOOTH- EARED SKINK (FIGS 16, 23–24; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 1D260000-8B53-4698-ADC4-A0374C1FD2C1 Holotype: BPBM 44744 (field tag AA 23450), gravid adult female with two embryos, collected by O. Tallowin at Myola 2, 9.1509°S, 147.7678°E (WGS 84), 2075 m a.s.l., crest of Owen Stanley Mts along the Kokoda Track, Central Province, Papua New Guinea, 5 April 2014. Paratypes (N = 16): Papua New Guinea: Central Province: Crest of Owen Stanley Mts along the Kokoda Track: Myola 2 Guest House, 9.1509°S, 147.7675°E (WGS 84), 2076 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44729–38; four males, five females, one juvenile); Myola 1, 9.1508°S, 147.7675°E (WGS 84), 2057 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44739; female); Myola 1, 9.1506°S, 147.7672°E (WGS 84), 2072 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44740; male); Myola 1, 9.1509°S, 147.7675°E (WGS 84), 2076 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44741–42; two males); same locality as holotype (BPBM 44743; male); Myola 2, 9.1509°S, 147.7679°E (WGS 84), 2076 m a.s.l. (BPBM 44745; male). Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Ornithuroscincus (adult SVL 42.1–54.8 mm) characterized by the unique combination of short limbs (forelimbs 25.7–30.8% of SVL, hindlimbs 29.0–40.6% of SVL); frontoparietals unfused; nuchals 1–3 pairs; paravertebral scales 57–70; mid-body scale rows 32–41; 4 th digit on front foot not longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 12–18 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales 3–5 on 4 th toe; dorsal coloration light to dark brown in preservative, light to dark greenish brown in life; dark brown to black lateral field present; dorsolateral stripes absent; flanks speckled with spots no more than a single scale wide, blue in preservative, green in life; uniform coloration on abdomen, thighs and precloacal region that lacks brown spotting, light blue in preservative, bright green in life; tail uniformly light blue more or less speckled with light brown spots; palmar and plantar surfaces brown. Comparisons: Ornithuroscincus. viridis differs from all other species of Ornithuroscincus in lacking dorsolateral stripes, having shorter relative limb length (forelimbs 25.7–30.8% of SVL and hindlimbs 29.0–40.6% of SVL vs. forelimbs 27.0–36.3% of SVL and hindlimbs 33.3– 47.3% of SVL) and a lower average count of subdigital lamellae under 4 th toe (15.8, range = 12–18 vs. 20.2, range = 17–23). It further differs from O. bengaun and O. shearmani in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It further differs from O. albodorsalis, O. noctua, O. nototaenia and O. cf. venemai by lacking a parietal eye spot (vs. present) and by having a higher count of midbody scale rows [32–41 vs. 22–26, 23–28, 24–25 and 24–26, respectively (Brongersma, 1953a; Zweifel, 1979; Shea & Greer, 2002)]. Ornithuroscincus viridis is most similar in body proportions and scalation to its sister species, O. pterophilus. However, it differs by being slightly smaller on average (mean adult SVL 49.7 mm, range = 42.1–54.8 vs. 55.9 mm, range = 50.1–62.3), in having shorter relative limb length (mean forelimbs 28.2% of SVL, range = 25.7–30.8 and hindlimbs 35.0% of SVL, range = 29.0–40.6 vs. mean forelimbs 30.4% of SVL, range = 27.0–33.7 and hindlimbs 38.0% of SVL, range = 33.3–42.5), a lower average count of subdigital lamellae under the 4 th toe (15.8, range = 12–18 vs. 19.9, range = 17–23), primary nuchal scales being usually as wide as long (15 of 17) vs. wider than long (15 of 18), and most easily by colour pattern: O. viridis lacks dorsolateral stripes (vs. present in O. pterophilus), has uniform light to dark brown dorsal coloration (vs. light brown spotted with dark brown to black spots) and in life has a slight greenish tint to its dorsal coloration and bright green ventral surfaces (vs. lime green usually with lemon yellow on precloacal region and thighs). Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anterodorsally onto dorsum of snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal (slightly closer to supralabials than to frontonasal); frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, not contacting frontal; prefrontals large, in narrow medial contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, in narrow contact with frontal; interparietal of roughly similar area to single frontoparietal, kite shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and two pretemporals; nuchals single pair, transversely enlarged, irregularly shaped, roughly as wide as long, separated from secondary temporal by a single intercalated scale. Anterior loreal similar in size to posterior loreal, both higher than long; lower preocular roughly square in shape; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars three, lowest interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries seven, anteriormost not in contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between posterior two supralabials; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening moderately large and oval shaped, without lobules. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials six; enlarged chin shields three pairs, the first pair in medial contact, second pair narrowly separated by single medial scale, third pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 33 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 70; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of fourth toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, five single scales; subdigital lamellae on fourth toe 18, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 23), dorsum uniform light brown; dorsolateral stripes absent; dorsal pattern sharply replaced by dark brown lateral fields, gradually becoming lighter ventrally; lateral field speckled with multiple pale blue spots one scale wide; head similar in coloration to dorsum, slightly lighter on snout and supraciliaries; labials dark brown at margins, pale blue in centre; venter pale blue with slight brown dusting at edges of scales laterally; light brown dusting more pronounced under tail; palmar and plantar surfaces dark brown. In life (Figs 16, 24), dorsum dark brown with green tint, becoming lighter dorsolaterally; lateral field black, speckled with multiple green spots a single scale wide, specks extending to margins of dorsal field; venter bright green, lemon yellow under tail; palmar and plantar surfaces dark brown. Variation: Adult body size 42.1–54.8 mm SVL (mean = 49.7, SD = 3.7, N = 16). Females (mean = 49.9, range = 42.1–54.8, SD = 4.8, N = 7) and males (mean = 49.5, range = 44.1–53.4, SD = 2.9, N = 9) of similar size. Forelimbs 25.7–30.8% of SVL (mean = 28.2%, SD = 1.5, N = 16). Hindlimbs 29.0– 40.6% of SVL (mean = 35.0%, SD = 2.6, N = 16). Scale rows at midbody 32–41 (mean = 36.2, SD = 2.7, N = 17); paravertebral scales 57–70 (mean = 62.8, SD = 3, N = 17). Lamellae under fourth toe 12–18 (mean = 15.8, SD = 1.59, N = 17); single supradigital scales on 4th toe 3–5 (mean = 3.4, SD = 0.7, N = 17). Mostly 1–3 pairs of nuchals, but BPBM 44734 lacks nuchal on left side, with only single nuchal on right side. Nuchals typically roughly as wide as long (N = 15), rarely wider than long (N = 2). Primary nuchals usually separated from secondary temporals by a single smaller intercalated scale (N = 13), rarely by two (N = 2) or none (N = 2). Prefrontals in medial contact in all but BPBM 44733, where separated by a single, azygous scale. Loreals two in all but BPBM 44740, where loreal single. Supraciliaries either seven (N = 7) or eight (N = 8), rarely nine (N = 2). Anteriormost supraciliary either in contact with frontal (N = 9) or not (N = 8). Posteriormost supraciliary usually projecting medially (N = 15), but rarely in line with all other supraciliaries (N = 2). Postsuboculars usually two (N = 14), rarely three (N = 3). Secondary temporals usually two (N = 13), but rarely one (N = 2) or three (N = 2). Posteriormost supralabial fragmented by horizontal suture on left side in three specimens (BPBM 44729, 44740 and 44743). Infralabials either six (N = 12) or seven (N = 5). Infralabials posterior to contact with chin shields usually one (N = 14), rarely two (N = 2) or three (N = 1). Colour pattern of all specimens generally similar to holotype, with few exceptions. BPBM 44732, 44737, 44741 and 44743 have sparse dark brown spotting on dorsum extending to tail, most pronounced in BPBM 44743. BPBM 44743 has a coppery brown dorsum with light margins, bordered medially by dark brown spotting, creating the appearance of light dorsolateral stripes. Palmar and plantar surfaces of BPBM 44735– 36 lighter brown. Colour in life: Dorsum light to dark brown, often with green tint, usually uniform but rarely with sparse dark brown spotting (Figs 16, 24). Green tint not extending to tail, which remains brown. Sides dark brown to jet black, sharply demarcated from dorsum and speckled lightly or heavily with bright green spots a single scale wide. Sides becoming gradually lighter towards venter, dark lateral field of varying width. Venter uniformly bright green, less pronounced on tail and often changing to lemon yellow, with light brown dusting laterally, more pronounced under tail. Etymology: From the Latin single-ending adjective viridis, green, in reference to the diagnostic coloration of the species in life. Distribution: Knownonlyfromhigh-elevationgrasslands at 2052–2076 m a.s.l. on the crest of the Owen Stanley Mountains in the Myola dry lakebeds along the Kokoda Track. Little is known about its distribution elsewhere, but it appears to be absent from nearby montane habitats (e.g. 1900 Crossing, 9.1288°S, 147.7264°E; WGS 84), as well as from similar high-elevation grasslands on the southern slopes of Mt Victoria, both localities where its sister species, O. pterophilus, occurs. Natural history: All of our specimens of O. viridis were collected from underneath logs at the edge of a large (c. 800 ha) expanse of partially swampy grassland that is generally interpreted as an ancient lake bed that has filled in with sediment. The grasses include a mixture of native and introduced species, namely Anthoxanthum horsfieldii (Kunth ex Benn.) Reeder, Capillipedium parviflorum (R.Br.) Stapf, Dimeria chloridiformis (Gaudich.) K.Schum. & Lauterb., Isachne myosotis Nees, Miscanthus floridulus (Labill.) Warb. ex K.Schum. & Lauterb., Paspalum scrobiculatum L. and Sacciolepis indica (L.) Chase. These grasses, together with a rich array of sedges, formed a continuous, generally low ground cover that was similar in overall aspect to a temperate meadow. This formation, which is unusual in montane New Guinea, has a different appearance from the high-elevation tussock grasslands that dominate most alpine regions. The area where the lizards were collected was bordered by a rich, upper montane forest about 15–25 m tall, with an uneven canopy. Aspect dominant species of trees included Saurauia sp., Opocunonia nymanii (K.Schum.) Schltr., Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume, Elaeocarpus fuscoides Knuth, Elaeocarpus murukkai Coode, Elaeocarpus sayeri F.Muell., Elaeocarpus trichophyllus A.C.Sm., Sloanea tieghemii (F.Muell.) A.C.Sm., Lithocarpus lauterbachii (Seemen) Markgr., Lithocarpus rufovillosus (Markgr.) Rehder, Galbulimima sp., Litsea albida (Kosterm.) Kosterm., Syzygium benjaminum Diels, Syzygium callianthum Merr. & L.M.Perry, Syzygium homichlophilum Diels, Syzygium subalatum (Ridl.) Merr. & L.M.Perry, Pandanus spp., Melicope conjugata T.G.Hartley, Melicope rubra (K.Schum. & Lauterb.) T.G.Hartley, Melicope stellulata T.G.Hartley and Archboldiodendron sp. Pulle’s southern beech, Nothofagus pullei Steenis, occurs on some steep ridges. The understory includes Decaspermum exiguum Merr. & L.M.Perry, Tasmannia piperita (Hook.f.) Miers and a rich array of Ericaceae. We visited the area during inclement weather and did not observe the lizards when they were active. We found them only under logs in the grassland, not in the adjacent forest. We therefore infer that they are a grassland species. Reproduction: Viviparous. Litter size of all three gravid females 2. Conservation status: The species is locally abundant at the type locality, although the population trend is unknown. It does not occur near any protected areas. We did not find it in other grasslands in the overall area, including another ancient grassland-filled lakebed that was located nearby at a slightly lower elevation. This, along with its apparent absence from nearby localities where sympatric lizard taxa occur (such as O. pterophilus or Papuascincus sp.), would suggest this species may have a restricted distribution, limited to the c. 800 ha grassland. Local landowners, accompanied by dogs, are with increasing frequency establishing hunting camps in the area. Feral pigs were observed foraging nearby. Dogs and pigs are both known to prey on the lizards. Given the relatively small area of occurrence of O. viridis and these threats from introduced predators, we recommend assigning a status of Vulnerable D2 to it.

KEY TO SPECIES IN ALPINOSCINCUS (ADAPTED FROM GREER ET AL., 2005) 1. (a) Subdigital lamellae 15–23; chin and throat similar in colour to rest of venter; presuboculars modally one; supralabials modally nine.................................................................. A. subalpinus — subalpine skink (b) Subdigital lamellae 12–19; chin and throat abruptly darker than rest of venter; presuboculars modally two; supralabials modally eight........................................................................... A. alpinus — alpine skink

ORNITHUROSCINCUS GEN. NOV. (CLADE VII) (FIGS 5, 16–24; SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIGS S6, S 8; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: D473AA5B-791E-4C76-A5A9-AE75D78958C0 Type species: Lobulia sabini Kraus, 2020. Zootaxa 4779(2): 201–214. Diagnosis: Small to medium-sized (adult SVL 29.4– 69.2 mm) terrestrial to semi-arboreal skinks with short limbs (forelimbs 25.7–36.3% of SVL, hindlimbs 29–47.3% of SVL); lobules absent from anterior edge of ear opening; a single pair of chin shields in medial contact; two supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields abutting infralabials; lower eyelid with semitransparent window; standard three-scale temporal region; nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals either fused or unfused; viviparous; litter size 1–3. Ornithuroscincus differs from all other genera apart from Nubeoscincus by the absence of lobules from the anterior edge of the ear (vs. lobules present)—a character which in Nuboescincus only occurs in one species, N. stellaris. It further differs from Alpinoscincus, Lobulia, Nubeoscincus and Prasinohaema by having one pair of chin shields in medial contact (vs. two pairs). It further differs from Alpinoscincus, Nubeoscincus and Prasinohaema by the chin shields abutting the infralabials (vs. chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials) and by having the standard three-scale temporal region (vs. fragmented temporal region). It further differs from Alpinsocincus by having two (vs. three) supralabials posterior to the subocular supralabial. It further differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood serum and tissues, a prehensile tail with a glandular tip and basally expanded subdigital lamellae. It further differs from Palaia and Papuascincus by its viviparous (vs. oviparous) reproductive mode. It further differs from Palaia by lacking basally slightly expanded subidigtal lamellae. It further differs from Papuascincus by having an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale. It further differs from Alpinoscincus by having the lower eyelid with a semi-transparent window (vs. scaly). Etymology: A combined noun formed from the Latinized Greek nouns ornis, bird, and oura, tail, appended to the Latin noun scincus, a type of lizard, referring to the centre of distribution of the genus, as most species occur in the Papuan Peninsula, also known as the Bird’s Tail in reference to the general shape of New Guinea resembling a bird-of-paradise. Species included: Ornithuroscincus albodorsalis (Vogt, 1932) comb. nov.; Ornithuroscincus noctua (Lesson, 1830) comb. nov.; Ornithuroscincus nototaenia (Boulenger, 1914) comb. nov.; Ornithuroscincus sabini (Kraus, 2020) comb. nov.; and new species described below. Species incertae sedis: Lipinia venemai (Brongersma, 1953a) possesses many traits the combination of which is uniquely found among New Guinean skinks in Ornithuroscincus, including viviparity, lacking lobules on the anterior edge of the ear opening, two supralabials posterior to the subocular supralabial, lower eyelid with a semi-transparent window, separated frontoparietals, chin shields abutting the infralabials, a standard three-scale temporal region, and an undivided nasal scale. However, the holotype of Li. venemai differs from all other members of Ornithuroscincus in having two pairs of chin shields in medial contact (vs. one). Since genetic data for this species are unavailable, we tentatively place it as incertae sedis in Ornithuroscincus but stress that more work is required to fully ascertain its generic affiliation. Distribution: Most species in the genus have a montane distribution in the Papuan Peninsula, and appear to have narrow distributions restricted to one or a few adjacent mountains. The lowland species appear to be far more widespread, both in New Guinea and elsewhere. Ornithuroscincus albodorsalis is known from West Sepik Province (Papua New Guinea), north of the Central Cordillera; O. nototaenia is known from the Setakwa River in Papua Province (Indonesia) and from the Palmer River in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea (Shea, 2008), both localities south of the Central Cordillera of New Guinea. Ornithuroscincus cf. venemai is known from Ajamaroe in the Vogelkop Peninsula, West Papua Province, Indonesia. Ornithuroscincus noctua is widespread throughout the northern versant of New Guinea, as well as across many islands in the Pacific Ocean, but it is clearly a species complex in need of taxonomic resolution [see also Zweifel (1979) and Austin (1999) for discussions of morphological and genetic variation in O. noctua]. Remarks: Several of the species assigned to this genus have been previously assigned to a different genus by Raymond Hoser, an act which would give Hoser’s generic name priority. However, we follow Kaiser et al.’s recommendation and completely disregard Hoser’s nomenclature due to his broad acts of taxonomic vandalism, which do not stand up to even the slightest level of scientific standard or scrutiny (Kaiser et al., 2013). Ornithuroscincus albodorsalis had been previously sampled genetically and found to be phylogenetically closest to O. noctua (Rodriguez et al., 2018). However, no other members of Ornithuroscincus were sampled in that study. Furthermore, O. nototaenia is only known from the Setakwa River and the Palmer River, south of the Central Cordillera and far from all other recognized species in the genus (Boulenger, 1914; Wollaston, 1914; Shea, 2008). Similarly, O. cf. venemai has only been recorded from the Vogelkop Peninsula (Brongersma, 1953a) and has never been collected since. Therefore, the relationships between O. albodorsalis, O. nototaenia, O. cf. venemai and other members of the genus, remain to be resolved. Molecular evidence suggests that a further undescribed species not treated herein occurs in Vori Vori, a foothills site in proximity to the Kokoda Track in the Papuan Peninsula, but the voucher (BPBM 48589) was unavailable for morphological examination at the time of writing, and so we refrain from formally describing it. Furthermore, O. noctua likely represents a species complex, but revising it is beyond the scope of the current work.

ORNITHUROSCINCUS INORNATUS SP. NOV. PLAIN SMOOTH- EARED SKINK (FIGS 18–19; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 89DE7131-76CC-43C0-95CA-C41541C3563E Holotype: BPBM 41226 (field tag AA 21402), collected by A. Allison at Kesemani, 7.9372°S, 147.0544°E (WGS 84), 1733 m a.s.l., N slope of Mt Strong, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, 23 February 2012. Diagnosis: A moderate-sized species of Ornithuroscincus (adult SVL 47.9 mm), characterized by the unique combination of short limbs (forelimbs 32.7% of SVL, hindlimbs 41.2% of SVL); frontoparietals separate; nuchals two pairs; paravertebral scales 51; mid-body scale rows 35; 4 th digit on front foot no longer than 3 rd; subdigital lamellae 21 under 4 th toe; single supradigital scales three on 4 th toe; dorsal coloration uniform light brown; dorsolateral stripes present as thick, one to two scales wide, unfragmented stripes extending from orbital region to tail, becoming gradually thicker posteriorly, pale brown in preservative, pale green-yellow in life; dark brown lateral field present, lightly speckled with spots, pale blue in preservative, light brown in life; lateral field breaking up to brown spots ventrally; ventral surfaces uniform pale blue in preservative, with dark brown spotting on the thighs, precloacal region and tail; in life, ventral surfaces are green-yellow, becoming lemon yellow on the thighs and base of tail; palmar and plantar surfaces light brown in preservative, dark yellow in life. Comparisons: Ornithuroscincus inornatus differs from O. bengaun in having unfused (vs. fused) frontoparietals. It differs from O. albodorsalis, O. noctua, O. nototaenia and O. cf. venemai by having a uniform light brown dorsum with thick pale brown dorsolateral stripes (vs. uniform pale yellow dorsum, light brown dorsum with dark brown longitudinal stripes, pale yellow dorsum with single dark vertebral stripe or dark olive grey dorsum powdered with brown with thick white dorsolateral stripes, respectively), by lacking a parietal eye spot (vs. present) and by having a higher count of midbody scale rows (35 vs. 22–26, 23–28, 24–25 and 24–26, respectively; Brongersma, 1953a; Zweifel, 1979; Shea & Greer, 2002). It further differs from O. noctua by lacking a light yellow to white patch on the occiput. It differs from O. sabini in having uniform dorsal coloration (vs. spotted). Description of the holotype: Rostral broad and shallow, wider than deep, projecting slightly onto top of snout; nasals more or less rectangular, separated by rostral and frontonasal contact, projecting anteriorly towards snout; nostril circular, centred within nasal; frontonasal large, with seven sides, extending laterally to slightly above the level of nares, in narrow contact with frontal; prefrontals large, separated medially by frontonasal and frontal contact, bordered ventrolaterally by two loreals; supraoculars four, anterior two in contact with frontal, posterior three in contact with frontoparietals; frontal kite shaped, widest anteriorly; frontoparietals single pair in medial contact, anteriorly in contact with frontal; interparietal smaller than single frontoparietal, diamond shaped, widest anteriorly; parietal eye spot absent; parietals in contact behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with frontoparietals, posteriormost supraocular and pretemporals; nuchals two pairs, transversely enlarged, followed by a third enlarged nuchal on the left side, wider than long, anteriormost pair separated from secondary temporal by a single smaller intercalated scale. Anterior loreal higher than posterior loreal, higher than long; posterior loreal roughly as high as long; lower preocular rectangular shaped; upper preocular much smaller, longer than high; presubocular single; postsuboculars two, lower interdigitated between subocular supralabial and penultimate supralabial; lower eyelid scaly, moveable, with a clear palpebral disc smaller than size of ear opening; supraciliaries eight, anteriormost in narrow contact with frontal, posteriormost projecting medially and interdigitated between posteriormost supraocular and upper pretemporal; primary temporal single, interdigitated between penultimate and posteriormost supralabial; secondary temporals two, upper larger and overlapping lower; supralabials seven, fifth in contact with small scales of lower eyelid; postsupralabials two; ear opening large and oval shaped, without lobules. Mental single; postmental single, contacting two anteriormost infralabials; infralabials six; enlarged chin shields three pairs, the first pair in medial contact, second pair narrowly separated by a single medial scale, third pair separated by three medial scales; posteriormost chin shield in contact with penultimate infralabial. Body scales smooth, in 35 rows at midbody; paravertebral scales 51; medial precloacal scales enlarged, overlapping lateral precloacals. Scales on dorsal surface of 4th toe in two rows proximally, single row distally beginning at third interphalangeal joint, three single scales; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 21, smooth. In preservative (Fig. 18), dorsum uniform light coppery brown, extending to tail; dorsolateral stripes present as broad (1–2 scales wide) unfragmented pale brown stripes extending from orbital region to tail, gradually becoming thicker posteriorly, bordered medially by extremely light speckling of small dark brown spots; dorsolateral stripes bordered laterally by dark brown field, extending from preorbital region through eye to base of tail, above level of limbs; dark brown lateral field lightly speckled by pale blue spots, becomes gradually lighter ventrally before breaking up into irregularly placed small dark brown spots on pale blue background; head scales light brown with small, infrequent dark brown spots on margins, paler on snout; ventral surfaces uniformly pale blue with dark brown spotting on thighs, precloacal region and tail; palmar and plantar surfaces light brown. Colour in life: Dorsal surfaces light brown and lateral field dark brown, as in preservative (Fig. 19). Dorsolateral stripes green-yellow. Ventral surfaces green-yellow, becoming lemon yellow on thighs and base of tail. Palmar and plantar surfaces dark yellow. Etymology: Combined masculine adjectival form of the Latin in, not, and ornatus, decorated, referring to its bland and simple colour pattern compared to other members of the genus. Distribution: Known from a single specimen collected at 1733 m a.s.l. on the northern slopes of Mt Strong, where it occurs in sympatry with at least two lineages of Papuascincus (V and VI) and Lo. fortis. Natural history: The single specimen that we collected was from around the village of Kesemani. The village, which is perched on a steep slope high above a river, included around ten bush material houses surrounded by anthropogenic grassland (see account for Lo. fortis). The lizard was active in the morning on a steep, c. 2 m high moss and lichen encrusted earthen bank along a walking track at the edge of the village. Conservation status: Only known from a single specimen. However, Mt Strong was well sampled, the village of Kesemani specifically was visited several times and no other O. inornatus were observed. Therefore, it appears to be rare compared to sympatric lizard taxa such as Lo. fortis or Papuascincus spp. This may suggest a small population size and restricted distribution, but more data are required for a proper assessment. It does not occur near any protected areas. We recommend assigning a status of Data Deficient to O. inornatus.

PALAIA GEN. NOV. (CLADE IV) (FIG. 5; SUPPORTING INFORMATION, FIG. S6; TABLE 1) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n:l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 89741FC3-DB12-469F-8682-C4579D922488 Type species: Lygosoma pulchrum Boulenger, 1903. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1903(2): 125–129. Diagnosis: Small (adult SVL 37.3–41.2 mm) skinks with short limbs (forelimbs 29.9–34.4% of SVL, hindlimbs 36.7–43.8% of SVL); small lobules present on anterior edge of ear opening; single pair of chin shields in medial contact; two supralabials posterior to subocular supralabial; chin shields abutting infralabials; lower eyelid with semi-transparent window; standard three-scale temporal region; nasal scale undivided; frontoparietals fused; oviparous; clutch size two; subdigital lamellae slightly expanded basally. Palaia differs from Nubeoscincus, Prasinohaema and Lobulia by having one pair of chin shields in medial contact (vs. two pairs) and an oviparous (vs. viviparous) reproductive mode. It further differs from Nubseoscincus and Lobulia by having slightly basally expanded subdigital lamellae. It further differs from Nubeoscincus and Prasinohaema by having the standard three-scale temporal region (vs. fragmented temporal region), the chin shields abutting the infralabials (vs. chin shields separated from infralabials by a row of genials) and fused (vs. unfused) frontoparietals. It further differs from Prasinohaema by lacking green blood serum (Greer, 1974) and tissues and a prehensile tail with a glandular tip. It differs from Papuascincus by having an undivided (vs. divided) nasal scale and slightly basally expanded subdigital lamellae and by lacking pustulate eggshells. Etymology: Latinized feminine genus from the Tok Pisin palai, lizard. Species included: Palaia pulchra (Boulenger, 1903) comb. nov. Distribution: The single species in the genus is distributed widely across the lowlands of northern New Guinea.

Deepak, V., Passos, Paulo, Nagy, Zoltán T., Zaher, Hussam, Šmíd, Jiří, Nguyen, Truong Quang, Carranza, Salvador, Cisneros-Heredia, Diego F., David, Patrick, Tamar, Karin (2021): Contributions to ophiology in Zootaxa 2001-2020: patterns and trends. Zootaxa 4979 (1): 17-22, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4979.1.4

The genus Psammodromus (Lacertidae) comprises six species. Three of the species are morphologically similar, phylogenetically closely related, and are distributed in the Iberian Peninsula (besides P. algirus): P. occidentalis (Western Iberia), P. hispanicus (Central Spain), and P. edwarsianus (Eastern Spain). Previous studies have shown these three species to have allopatric distributions in Iberia, though there are still many areas such as Andalucía where it is unclear which species of Psammodromus occurs. In this study we present nine new records of Psammodromus from key places in southern Spain. Since the three Iberian species are difficult to differentiate by morphology, specimens were genetically identified using mitochondrial DNA data and compared to all six species of the genus. Here we present an updated distribution map of Psammodromus specimens identified with molecular methods, increasing the ranges of all three species. We also propose wider regions of potential sympatry between P. occidentalis and P. hispanicus, and P. edwarsianus and P. hispanicus than previously recorded., The work was supported by grant 2017-SGR-00991 from the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Economia i Coneixement de la Generalitat de Catalunya to SC.BB-C is supported by FPU grant FPU18/04742

Human movements in the regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea have caused a great impact in the composition of terrestrial fauna due to the introductions of several allochthonous species, intentionally or not. Reptiles are one of the groups where this anthropic impact is most evident, owing to the extensive intra-Mediterranean dispersals of recent chronologies. Chalcides ocellatus is a widespread skink with a natural distribution that covers almost the entire Mediterranean Basin. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain its origin: natural dispersions and human translocations. Previous molecular data suggest the occurrence of a recent dispersal phenomenon across the Mediterranean Sea. In this study we present the first record of this species in the Iberian Peninsula, in Serra del Molar (South-east Spain). We combined molecular analyses and archaeological records to study the origin of this population. The molecular results indicate that the population is phylogenetically closely related to specimens from north-eastern Egypt and southern Red Sea. We suggest that the species arrived at the Iberian Peninsula most likely through human-mediated dispersal by using the trade routes. Between the Iron to Middle Ages, even now, the region surrounding Serra del Molar has been the destination of human groups and commercial goods of Egyptian origins, in which Chalcides ocellatus could have arrived as stowaways. The regional geomorphological evolution would have restricted its expansion out of Serra del Molar. These findings provide new data about the impact of human movements on faunal introductions and present new information relating to mechanisms of long-distance translocations.

Paper presented at the Gekkota Mundi II International Conference, held in Tel Aviv, Israel on 26-28th May, 2019., The Arabian region is renowned for its harsh, hot and arid climate, with massive deserts spanning across most of the interior, enclosed by mountain ranges on the margins of the peninsula. Geckos (Gekkota) form the most diverse reptile group in Arabia, found in a diverse array of habitats: sandy or gravel areas are occupied by genera such as Bunopus, Pseudoceramodactylus and Stenodactylus, while genera such as Asaccus and Ptyodactylus are restricted to mountain ranges and rocky surfaces. We present a general overview of the biogeography of geckos in Arabia as inferred via detailed phylogeographical analyses of multiple gecko genera, together with geological and environmental data. We show how the formation of various habitats within Arabia and episodic or continuous connections to Eurasia and Africa, have enabled dispersal and diversification of taxa, while creating biogeographical barriers and endemicity hotspots. Two major environmental events are hypothesized to have greatly influenced the distribution and diversification of the local fauna - The tectonic movement of the Arabian plate during the Oligocene, and the dramatic climatic changes that occurred during the Miocene-Pliocene. The former caused high geological instability and the detachment from Africa followed by a collision with Eurasia, while also prompting the orogeny of mountain ranges. The latter influenced the expansion and contraction of sand deserts, serving as a barrier to gene flow between the mountains. These events changed the Arabian landscape over time, creating an interesting composition of species diversity that we encounter today.

Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. (Tables 1 ���3; Figs. 1���8; Appendices I���III) Chresonyms Acanthodactylus busacki Salvador, 1982: 88 (part.) Acanthodactylus pardalis bedriagai Arnold, 1983: 319 (part.) Acanthodactylus bedriagai Harris & Arnold 2000: 352 (part.) Acanthodactylus busacki Mellado & Dakki 1988: 175 (part.); Mellado & Olmedo 1990: 133 (part.); Bons & Geniez 1996: 162 (part.); Schleich et al. 1996: 391 (part.); Geniez et al. 2004: 102 (part.); Brito et al. 2008: 21 (part.); Sindaco & Jeremčenko 2008: 218 (part.); Fonseca et al. 2008: 9 (part.); Harris el al. 2010: 22 (part.); Barata et al. 2011: 7 (part.); Carretero et al. 2011: 139 (part.); Trape et al. 2012: 302 (part.); Pyron et al. 2013: 17 (part.); Tamar et al. 2016: 8 (part.) Name bearing type. Mus��um national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris) MNHN-RA-2016.0105 (formerly BEV.9439, tissue sample in the BEV tissue collection, code T1176), adult male, collected on the 11th of February 2008 by P.-A. Crochet (Fig. 6). Type locality. 500 m north-east of Sidi Binzarne, approximately 3 km south-east of Sidi R���bat (Massa), Morocco, 30.0580��N, 9.6456��W (WGS84). Paratypes. BEV.9440 (tissue sample code T1177, adult female, collected in the Ademine forest 1.6 km past the Agadir-Taroudant road towards Biougra, Morocco, 30.31579��N 9.36004��W, on the 11th of February 2008 by P.- A. Crochet); MCCI-R.560 (adult male, collected from between Inchaden and Tifnite, Morocco, 30.15��N, 9.59��W, on the 9th of May 1993 by R. Sindaco and N. Fedrighini); MCCI-R.561 (adult male, collected from Souss valley, outskirts of Biougra, Morocco, 30.21��N, 9.38��W, on the 9th of May 1993 by R. Sindaco and N. Fedrighini); MCCI- R.562 (sub-adult female, collected from Souss valley, outskirts of Biougra, Morocco, 30.21��N 9.38��W, on the 9th of May 1993 by R. Sindaco and N. Fedrighini) (Fig. 7). Other material. Thirty-three voucher specimens listed in Appendix II under A. margaritae sp. nov. apart from the holotype and paratypes. Photographic material of 19 voucher specimens from the BMNH, CAS, FMNH, MB, and ZMH are listed in Appendix II, and of 29 individuals photographed in the wild (only meristic characters and colouration documented; Appendix II). Etymology. The specific epithet ��� margaritae ���, a noun in the genitive case, honours Dr Margarita Metallinou who tragically lost her life during field-work in Africa in July 2015. The new species is dedicated to Margarita Metallinou from all the authors in recognition of her passion, interest and strong contribution to the study of reptile systematics (especially of geckoes of the genera Stenodactylus and Ptyodactylus) and to her friendship over the years. Diagnosis. A new species of the pardalis species-group (i.e., small flat or carinated dorsal scales; three series of scales on the fingers; three supraoculars; 12 and sometimes 14 straight longitudinal row of ventrals; slightly pectinate toes; body pattern combining longitudinal rows of light ocelli and black reticulation) from between the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains characterized by the combination of the following characters: (1) maximum recorded snout-vent length 71 mm (54���71 mm in adult males and 54���64.7 mm in adult females); (2) three supraoculars, the first supraocular is either entire or fragmented with usually one row of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries; (3) 16���48 granules around the supraoculars (mean 29.7); (4) subocular with a distinct keel is situated between the fourth and fifth upper labials and does not contact the lip; (5) upper temporals small and pointed whereas the lower temporals are large and smooth; (6) 10���14 collar scales; (7) usually 12 longitudinal rows of ventral scales; (8) 27���34 (mean 31.2) ventral transverse rows; (9) 14���24 (mean 21.1) femoral pores on each side (higher number in males; 14���23 in females vs. 18���24 in males; mostly in contact in males, separated in females); (10) three rows of scales on fingers with slight lateral pectination, with 16���23 (mean 19.5) lamellae underneath the fourth toe; (11) dorsal scales weakly carinated, flat and imbricate; (12) dorsal colour pattern consists of three longitudinal pale lines or rows of whitish, elongated ocelli on each side (six longitudinal dorsal lines in total), with obvious black reticulation between the two outer ones and no or little reticulation between the inner ones on the middle of the dorsum; (13) the dorsal and ventral scales of the nape and body show yellowish colouration in both males and females during the spring, which fades later during the summer; (14) juveniles have blue colouration of the tail, and sub-adult females sometimes have a reddish ventral tail colour. Differential diagnosis. Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. is a typical member of the pardalis speciesgroup, differing from the other geographically-close members of the species-group by the following characters: Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. differs from A. busacki in having weakly carinated, irregular and imbricate dorsal scales (vs. small, pointed or granular, and smooth in A. busacki; Fig. 4). Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. further differs from A. busacki in its colour pattern (Figs. 4���8): it has three pale longitudinal lines or series of ocelli on each side of the body, six lines in total (vs. two on each side, four in total in A. busacki). It also exhibits a moderate sexual dimorphism (stronger in A. busacki) and less marked ontogenic changes (Figs. 5���8). Juveniles, females and males of A. margaritae sp. nov. all present the typical pattern of three whitish stripes or series of ocelli on each side (six in total). Juvenile, females and sub-adult males of A. busacki have two whitish stripes or series of ocelli on each side but these pale lines disappear or become indistinct in many adult males of A. busacki (they remain obvious in adult males of A. margaritae sp. nov.). The colour pattern of adult males of the two species is thus usually quite different. Adult males of A. margaritae sp. nov. still exhibit three whitish stripes or series of ocelli on each side of the body with weak or no dark reticulation between the inner ones on the middle of the dorsum. In adult males of A. busacki the two whitish stripes or series of ocelli tend to disappear into a pattern of strong dark reticulation that extends to the middle of the back between the two inner pale stripes. Adult males of A. margaritae sp. nov. have a yellowish colour over the anterior dorsal and ventral areas, in A. busacki males acquire a reddish/pink colouration on the neck and upper dorsum contrasting with yellowish colouration at the lower dorsum and white ventral areas. Adult females of the two species differ in the number of pale longitudinal lines (see above), in the absence (in A. margaritae sp. nov.) or presence (A. busacki) of dark reticulation on the middle of the dorsum, and in the presence (in A. margaritae sp. nov.) or absence (in A. busacki) of yellowish colouration on the anterior part of the body (see also Table 2). Less marked and non-diagnostic differences in males also include a higher number of collar scales (10���14 in A. margaritae sp. nov. vs. 8���11 in A. busacki; P A. margaritae sp. nov. vs. 13���27 in A. busacki; P A. margaritae sp. nov. vs. 20���26 in A. busacki; P =0.017) (Table 2). Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. differs from the north-eastern Moroccan populations classified as A. maculatus by Bons and Geniez (1996, probably a composite assemblage of several species; Fig. 2) in having weakly keeled dorsal scales (vs. flat dorsal scales in A. cf. maculatus). It further differs in having small and pointed upper temporals and large and smooth lower temporals (vs. granular and flat upper temporals that gradually increase in size in A. cf. maculatus); by having 10���14 collar scales (vs. 8���11 in A. cf. maculatus); a higher number of granules around the supraoculars (16���48 vs. 14���21, respectively); and by the absence of a small upper labial scale beneath the subocular (at time present in A. cf. maculatus). In addition, A. margaritae sp. nov. is slenderer than A. cf. maculatus which is more robust and stubby with a shorter tail, especially females. Description of the holotype. Habitus robust (Fig. 6). Total length 196 mm ( SVL 65.1 mm; un-regenerated tail 130.9 mm). The head presents a well-defined lanceolate concavity from the frontal to the supranasal scales. Snout is pointed, but not very narrow. Rostral shield is not prominent, followed by paired supranasals, their suture very short. Frotonasal is hexagonal and slightly broader than long. Prefrontals are longer than broad; the length of the suture is almost as long as their width. Frontal is narrow and long, broader anteriorly than posteriorly; its length is almost its distance from the tip of the snout. Frontoparietals suture is almost half the length of the frontal, and almost the same length at their posterior margins with the parietals. Parietals are rather broader than longer. Interparietal is relatively large with a diamond shape and a clear parietal foramen; its length equals to its width. Occipital scale is absent. Three supraoculars, the first supraocular is broken into two fragments, the second and third supraoculars intact; six supraciliaries on each side, the first is the longest; 48/44 (left/right) supraciliary granules arranged in two continuous rows contacting the inner border of supraciliaries on each side. Nostrils situated at the cross-point of three scales, bordered dorsally by the supranasal, posteriorly by a single postnasal, and inferiorly by the first upper labial, which is broader above than below. Two loreal scales, the anterior one smaller, the posterior longer and in contact with the anterior first supraciliaries and subocular. Two suboculars with a sharp keel close to their upper margin, the anterior smaller, the posterior longer and wedged between the fourth and fifth upper labials, not contacting the lip. Scales along the upper margin of the suboculars are long and thin, followed by the postocular scales. Upper postocular in contact with the anterior supratemporal, separated from the posterior supraciliary and the supraoculars by granules. Scales in centre of lower eyelid small, round and granular. Seven upper labials on each side, four anterior to the subocular; the fourth upper labial is the longest, followed by the fifth. Two keeled supratemporals, the anterior longer than the posterior. Upper temporals small, pointed and granular, progressively larger and smoother towards the upper labials. A small tympanic scale is present. Anterior margin of the ear opening with six denticulations on each side, the middle four larger and subtriangular. Six lower labials on either side. Five pairs of submaxillaries, the three anterior from each side in contact in the middle. There are 33 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the submaxillaries and the median collar plate, slightly enlarged and imbricate towards the collar; gular fold absent. Collar curved, composed of 11 scales. Dorsal scales are small and pointed at the nape, slightly larger and weakly keeled between the limbs, becoming larger and flat with a keel on the tail; 55 rows of dorsal scales at midbody. Scales on the flanks are small, almost granular, pointed or slightly keeled, becoming larger and flat ventrally. Ventral scales arranged in 12 longitudinal rows and 33 transverse rows, arranged anteriorly in oblique transverse rows. Three enlarged preanal plates in a transversal row between the anterior cloacal margin and the gap between the two series of femoral pores. Two continuous rows of 21/23 femoral pores, the two series are in contact anteriorly and extending close to the knee. Dorsal surfaces of the limbs covered by medium sized, imbricate, keeled scales; anterior surface of the limbs covered by larger, unkeeled, imbricate scales; posterior covered with smaller granular scales. The right forelimb is amputated just before the fingers. The ventral side of the forelimbs is covered with small, smooth scales; ventral surface of hind limbs covered with large flat scales. Three longitudinal rows of scales on the toes, except the first which has only two; pectination along the toes is weak; 21 smooth sub-digital lamellae under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales are rectangular, larger than the posterior dorsals, flat and keeled; small scales are situated in a longitudinal straight line at the base of the tail on the vertebral row; ventral scales large and smooth. Background colouration in alcohol mainly brown. Pileus brown, head becoming brighter-whitish from the upper and lower labials ventrally, white inframaxillars. Dorsum brown with three lines of white ocelli extending from the nape to the tail; the central lines close to the centre of the dorsum start from the mid parietals and extend to the base of the tail. The middle lines start from the posterior supratemporals and continue to the sides of the tail. The outer lines are made of roundish ocelli and extend from the temporals to the hind-limbs. A black reticulation is present between the outer and middle lines, but is much reduced between the two inner lines. Fore and hind limbs with dark reticulation and white spots on a brown background. The entire underside of the head, body, limbs and tail is white. Variation. The paratypes do not differ substantially from the holotype in the meristic or discrete characters, varying slightly in size related measurements (Table 3). Paratype MCCI-R.560 has a partially broken tail at a third of its length, and paratypes MCCI-R.561 and BEV.9440 both have broken tails, but, in the former, the severed tail is preserved intact together with the specimens (Fig. 7). The number of femoral pores is lower in the two female paratypes, MCCI-R.562 and BEV.9440, for which the femoral rows are also not in contact. Colour and pattern of the adults of both sexes are similar to that of the holotype (based on the photographic material of individuals in the wild). Head dorsally brown with dark brown or black spots. Laterally the upper and lower labials are brighter with dark spots, and the gulars are whitish. The dorsum has a grey/brown background with three longitudinal whitish stripes (in juveniles) or series of ocelli (sub-adults and adults) on each side, starting from the back of the head. An additional whitish stripe is at the border between the dorsals and ventrals. A black reticulation is present among the stripes, which fades closer to the head, or present at lesser amount at midbody between the two central stripes. Adult males and females (prominent in males, not seen in alcohol) exhibit lateral yellow colouration from head to tail on the dorsum and ventrals during the spring; this yellowish colouration fades during the summer. Between the three dorsal stripes on each side, the two central stripes meet at the base of the tail, whereas the two lateral stripes continue along the tail (more obvious in juveniles). The tail is dorsally brown with transverse, continuous or discontinuous black bands laterally and between the two whitish stripes. The limbs have an irregular black and brownish background with whitish spots; this pattern is less obvious on the forelimbs. The ventral colour is off-white. Juveniles exhibit a more prominent contrast of colours on the dorsum and limbs. Juveniles have a blackish ground colour with four shining creamy longitudinal stripes on the dorsum and a row of ocelli of the same colour on each flank; the two median dorsal light stripes come together at the base of the tail while the blackish ground colour continues until the first third part of the tail; the tail is bluish to shining blue (Fig. 8). Distribution. Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. is endemic to Morocco (Fig. 1), from around 10 km north of Tamri in the north to Tiznit surroundings in the south (southernmost known locality: 3 km north-east of Sidi Boulfdail; PGe.151 & 152), and along the Souss valley to the east, as far as 25 km east of Taroudant (present study; PGe.150), but probably as far as Aoulouz (Salvador 1982; Bons & Geniez 1996). Its range is limited by the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains to the north, east and south, and is entirely included in the arid and semi-arid climates with warm or temperate winters (Bons & Geniez 1996). Natural history. Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. is a ground-dwelling, diurnal, oviparous, medium-sized lizard, relatively large and stout-bodied. It mostly inhabits stony plains with fine grained soils, stable sands and fixed dunes, or hard clay grounds with scarce low vegetation but also, especially in the Souss valley, open argan tree forests. It is often sympatric with Acanthodactylus aureus in the coastal area, though the latter species prefers softer, looser sands., Published as part of Tamar, Karin, Geniez, Philippe, Brito, Jos�� C. & Crochet, Pierre-Andr��, 2017, Systematic revision of Acanthodactylus busacki (Squamata: Lacertidae) with a description of a new species from Morocco, pp. 357-386 in Zootaxa 4276 (3) on pages 368-375, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4276.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/806953, {"references":["Salvador, A. (1982) A revision of the lizards of the genus Acanthodactylus (Sauria: Lacertidae). Bonner Zoologisches Monographien, Nr. 16, Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, 1 - 167.","Arnold, E. N. (1983) Osteology, genitalia and the relationships of Acanthodactylus (Reptilia: Lacertidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Zoology, 44, 291 - 339.","Harris, D. J. & Arnold, E. N. (2000) Elucidation of the relationships of spiny footed lizards, Acanthodactylus spp. (Reptilia: Lacertidae) using mitochondrial DNA sequence, with comments on their biogeography and evolution. Journal of Zoology, 252, 351 - 362.","Mellado, J. & Dakki, M. (1988) Inventaire commente des amphibiens et reptiles du Maroc. Bulletin de l'Institut Scientifique, Rabat, 12, 171 - 181.","Mellado, J. & Olmedo, G. (1990) El genero Acanthodactylus en Marruecos: problemas de identificacion en los grupos de especies A. pardalis y A. scutellatus. Amphibia-Reptilia, 11, 131 - 146.","Bons, J. & Geniez, P. (1996) Amphibiens et reptiles du Maroc. Asociacion Herpetologica Espanola, Barcelona, 319 pp.","Schleich, H. H., Kastle, W. & Kabisch, K. (1996) Amphibians and reptiles of North Africa. Koeltz, Koenigstein, 627 pp.","Geniez, P., Mateo, J. A., Geniez, M. & Pether, J. (2004) The amphibians and reptiles of the Western Sahara (former Spanish Sahara) and adjacent regions. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt, 228 pp.","Sindaco, R. & Jeremcenko, V. K. (2008) The reptiles of the Western Palearctic. Annotated checklist and distributional atlas of the turtles, crocodiles, amphisbaenians and lizards of Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia. Monografie della Societas Herpetologica Italica. Edizioni Belvedere, Latina, 579 pp.","Fonseca, M. M., Brito, J. C., Rebelo, H., Kalboussi, M., Larbes, S., Carretero, M. A. & Harris, D. J. (2008) Genetic variation among spiny-footed lizards in the Acanthodactylus pardalis group from North Africa. African Zoology, 43, 8 - 15. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 15627020.2008.11407401","Barata, M., Perera, A., Harris, D. J., Van der Meijden, A., Carranza, S., Ceacero, F., Garcia-Munoz, E., Goncalves, D., Henriques, S., Jorge, F. & Marshall, J. C. (2011) New observations of amphibians and reptiles in Morocco, with a special emphasis on the eastern region. British Herpetological Society Herpetological Bulletin, 116, 4 - 14.","Carretero, M. A., Fonseca, M. M., Garcia-Munoz, E., Brito, J. C. & Harris, D. J. (2011) Adding Acanthodactylus beershebensis to the mtDNA phylogeny of the Acanthodactylus pardalis group. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 7, 138 - 142.","Trape, J. - F., Trape, S. & Chirio, L. (2012) Lezards, crocodiles et tortues d'Afrique occidentale et du Sahara. IRD Orstom, Marseille, 503 pp.","Pyron, R. A., Burbrink, F. T. & Wiens, J. J. (2013) A phylogeny and revised classification of Squamata, including 4161 species of lizards and snakes. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 13, 93.","Tamar, K., Carranza, S., Sindaco, R., Moravec, J., Trape, J. - F. & Meiri, S. (2016) Out of Africa: Phylogeny and biogeography of the widespread genus Acanthodactylus (Reptilia: Lacertidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 103, 6 - 18. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. ympev. 2016.07.003"]}

Acanthodactylus busacki Salvador, 1982 Acanthodactylus busacki, Salvador, 1982, A revision of the lizards of the genus Acanthodactylus (Sauria: Lacertidae), Bonner Zoologische Monographien, Nr. 16: 88. Chresonyms Acanthodactylus busacki Salvador, 1982: 88 (part.) Acanthodactylus pardalis bedriagai Arnold, 1983: 319 (part.) Acanthodactylus bedriagai Harris & Arnold 2000: 352 (part.) Acanthodactylus busacki Mellado & Dakki 1988: 175 (part.); Mellado & Olmedo 1990: 133 (part.); Bons & Geniez 1996: 162 (part.); Schleich et al. 1996: 391 (part.); Donaire et al. 2000: 10; Geniez et al. 2004: 102 (part.); Brito et al. 2008: 21 (part.); Sindaco & Jeremčenko 2008: 218 (part.); Fonseca et al. 2008: 9 (part.); Geniez et al. 2010: IUCN red list (part.); Harris el al. 2010: 22 (part.); Carretero et al. 2011: 139 (part.); Trape et al. 2012: 302 (part.); Pyron et al. 2013: 17 (part.); Crochet et al. 2015: 584; Tamar et al. 2016: 8 (part.) Name-bearing type. Natural History Museum (London) BMNH1970.250, adult male, holotype by original designation. Type locality. 30 km south-west of Goulimine (= Guelmim), Morocco. Paratypes. Among the paratypes originally listed by Salvador (1982), MNHN-RA-1938.189 (Asrifa, Morocco), BMNH 1970.249 (same locality as the holotype), and EBD 2440 (Cape Bojador, Rio de Oro) belong to this species. Other paratypes listed in Salvador (1982) are allocated to the new species (see below) or to A. cf. maculatus (Appendix II). Other material. Ten voucher specimens listed in Appendix II under A. busacki, apart from the holotype and paratypes. Photographic material of one voucher specimen from MB and of 25 individuals photographed in the wild is listed in Appendix II. Diagnosis. A species of the pardalis species-group (i.e., small flat or carinated dorsal scales; three series of scales on the fingers; three supraoculars; 12 and sometimes 14 straight longitudinal row of ventrals; slightly pectinate toes; body pattern combining longitudinal rows of light ocelli and black reticulation) characterized by the combination of the following characters: (1) maximum recorded SVL 73 mm (51–73 mm in adult males); (2) three supraoculars, the first supraocular is either entire or fragmented with usually one row of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries; (3) 13–27 granules around the supraoculars; (4) subocular with a distinct keel located between the fourth and fifth upper labials and not contacting the lip; (5) upper temporals small and pointed whereas the lower temporals are large and smooth; (6) 8–11 collar scales; (7) 12 longitudinal rows of ventral scales; (8) 29–34 transverse rows of ventral scales; (9) 20–26 femoral pores on each side; (10) three rows of scales on fingers with slight lateral pectination, with 16–23 lamellae underneath the fourth toe; (11) dorsal scales are pointed and smooth; (12) dorsal colour pattern of juveniles, females and sub-adult males consists of two lateral longitudinal lines of pale ocelli on each side with strong black reticulation among them (four longitudinal dorsal lines in total), adult males have intricate colouration of black reticulation that covers most of the dorsal area and the rows of pale ocelli become indistinct or may completely disappear; (13) the males exhibit a unique colouration: the neck, the posterior part of the throat, the anterior parts of the body and belly, and the forelimbs are more or less reddish; this tint becoming progressively yellowish, whitish or slightly bluish at the posterior parts and tail; (14) sub-adults have reddish or white ventral tail colour. Distribution. Acanthodactylus busacki is found in the northern Saharan Atlantic coastal desert, from around Guelmim in the north to 67 km north-east of Dakhla (Crochet et al. 2015) in the south (Fig. 1; Appendix II). Its range is bordered to the north by the southern extension of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. According to Donaire et al. (2000) and Geniez et al. (2004) the species reaches the Hammada of Tindouf in the extreme south-east of the Atlantic Sahara, entering Algeria and approaching Mauritania, but these records need to be re-examined: they belong to a taxon of the pardalis species-group, but not necessarily to A. busacki; they might instead involve a desert form of A. cf. maculatus entering from the northern Sahara into Algeria and Morocco (J.A. Mateo pers. com.; pers. obs.). Natural history. Acanthodactylus busacki is a ground-dwelling, diurnal, oviparous, medium-sized lizard, relatively large and stout-bodied. It mostly inhabits habitats with hard substratum, most often clay deposits, more rarely rocky ground, always with scattered bushes. It is widely sympatric with A. aureus which occurs on sandy substratum (pers. obs.; Geniez et al. 2004). Reddish ventral tail colouration of sub-adults is present in all populations of this species, and not only in the southern populations (contra Crochet et al. 2015).

Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. (Tables 1 –3; Figs. 1–8; Appendices I–III) Chresonyms Acanthodactylus busacki Salvador, 1982: 88 (part.) Acanthodactylus pardalis bedriagai Arnold, 1983: 319 (part.) Acanthodactylus bedriagai Harris & Arnold 2000: 352 (part.) Acanthodactylus busacki Mellado & Dakki 1988: 175 (part.); Mellado & Olmedo 1990: 133 (part.); Bons & Geniez 1996: 162 (part.); Schleich et al. 1996: 391 (part.); Geniez et al. 2004: 102 (part.); Brito et al. 2008: 21 (part.); Sindaco & Jeremčenko 2008: 218 (part.); Fonseca et al. 2008: 9 (part.); Harris el al. 2010: 22 (part.); Barata et al. 2011: 7 (part.); Carretero et al. 2011: 139 (part.); Trape et al. 2012: 302 (part.); Pyron et al. 2013: 17 (part.); Tamar et al. 2016: 8 (part.) Name bearing type. Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris) MNHN-RA-2016.0105 (formerly BEV.9439, tissue sample in the BEV tissue collection, code T1176), adult male, collected on the 11th of February 2008 by P.-A. Crochet (Fig. 6). Type locality. 500 m north-east of Sidi Binzarne, approximately 3 km south-east of Sidi R’bat (Massa), Morocco, 30.0580°N, 9.6456°W (WGS84). Paratypes. BEV.9440 (tissue sample code T1177, adult female, collected in the Ademine forest 1.6 km past the Agadir-Taroudant road towards Biougra, Morocco, 30.31579°N 9.36004°W, on the 11th of February 2008 by P.- A. Crochet); MCCI-R.560 (adult male, collected from between Inchaden and Tifnite, Morocco, 30.15°N, 9.59°W, on the 9th of May 1993 by R. Sindaco and N. Fedrighini); MCCI-R.561 (adult male, collected from Souss valley, outskirts of Biougra, Morocco, 30.21°N, 9.38°W, on the 9th of May 1993 by R. Sindaco and N. Fedrighini); MCCI- R.562 (sub-adult female, collected from Souss valley, outskirts of Biougra, Morocco, 30.21°N 9.38°W, on the 9th of May 1993 by R. Sindaco and N. Fedrighini) (Fig. 7). Other material. Thirty-three voucher specimens listed in Appendix II under A. margaritae sp. nov. apart from the holotype and paratypes. Photographic material of 19 voucher specimens from the BMNH, CAS, FMNH, MB, and ZMH are listed in Appendix II, and of 29 individuals photographed in the wild (only meristic characters and colouration documented; Appendix II). Etymology. The specific epithet “ margaritae ”, a noun in the genitive case, honours Dr Margarita Metallinou who tragically lost her life during field-work in Africa in July 2015. The new species is dedicated to Margarita Metallinou from all the authors in recognition of her passion, interest and strong contribution to the study of reptile systematics (especially of geckoes of the genera Stenodactylus and Ptyodactylus) and to her friendship over the years. Diagnosis. A new species of the pardalis species-group (i.e., small flat or carinated dorsal scales; three series of scales on the fingers; three supraoculars; 12 and sometimes 14 straight longitudinal row of ventrals; slightly pectinate toes; body pattern combining longitudinal rows of light ocelli and black reticulation) from between the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains characterized by the combination of the following characters: (1) maximum recorded snout-vent length 71 mm (54–71 mm in adult males and 54–64.7 mm in adult females); (2) three supraoculars, the first supraocular is either entire or fragmented with usually one row of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries; (3) 16–48 granules around the supraoculars (mean 29.7); (4) subocular with a distinct keel is situated between the fourth and fifth upper labials and does not contact the lip; (5) upper temporals small and pointed whereas the lower temporals are large and smooth; (6) 10–14 collar scales; (7) usually 12 longitudinal rows of ventral scales; (8) 27–34 (mean 31.2) ventral transverse rows; (9) 14–24 (mean 21.1) femoral pores on each side (higher number in males; 14–23 in females vs. 18–24 in males; mostly in contact in males, separated in females); (10) three rows of scales on fingers with slight lateral pectination, with 16–23 (mean 19.5) lamellae underneath the fourth toe; (11) dorsal scales weakly carinated, flat and imbricate; (12) dorsal colour pattern consists of three longitudinal pale lines or rows of whitish, elongated ocelli on each side (six longitudinal dorsal lines in total), with obvious black reticulation between the two outer ones and no or little reticulation between the inner ones on the middle of the dorsum; (13) the dorsal and ventral scales of the nape and body show yellowish colouration in both males and females during the spring, which fades later during the summer; (14) juveniles have blue colouration of the tail, and sub-adult females sometimes have a reddish ventral tail colour. Differential diagnosis. Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. is a typical member of the pardalis speciesgroup, differing from the other geographically-close members of the species-group by the following characters: Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. differs from A. busacki in having weakly carinated, irregular and imbricate dorsal scales (vs. small, pointed or granular, and smooth in A. busacki; Fig. 4). Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. further differs from A. busacki in its colour pattern (Figs. 4–8): it has three pale longitudinal lines or series of ocelli on each side of the body, six lines in total (vs. two on each side, four in total in A. busacki). It also exhibits a moderate sexual dimorphism (stronger in A. busacki) and less marked ontogenic changes (Figs. 5–8). Juveniles, females and males of A. margaritae sp. nov. all present the typical pattern of three whitish stripes or series of ocelli on each side (six in total). Juvenile, females and sub-adult males of A. busacki have two whitish stripes or series of ocelli on each side but these pale lines disappear or become indistinct in many adult males of A. busacki (they remain obvious in adult males of A. margaritae sp. nov.). The colour pattern of adult males of the two species is thus usually quite different. Adult males of A. margaritae sp. nov. still exhibit three whitish stripes or series of ocelli on each side of the body with weak or no dark reticulation between the inner ones on the middle of the dorsum. In adult males of A. busacki the two whitish stripes or series of ocelli tend to disappear into a pattern of strong dark reticulation that extends to the middle of the back between the two inner pale stripes. Adult males of A. margaritae sp. nov. have a yellowish colour over the anterior dorsal and ventral areas, in A. busacki males acquire a reddish/pink colouration on the neck and upper dorsum contrasting with yellowish colouration at the lower dorsum and white ventral areas. Adult females of the two species differ in the number of pale longitudinal lines (see above), in the absence (in A. margaritae sp. nov.) or presence (A. busacki) of dark reticulation on the middle of the dorsum, and in the presence (in A. margaritae sp. nov.) or absence (in A. busacki) of yellowish colouration on the anterior part of the body (see also Table 2). Less marked and non-diagnostic differences in males also include a higher number of collar scales (10–14 in A. margaritae sp. nov. vs. 8–11 in A. busacki; P A. margaritae sp. nov. vs. 13–27 in A. busacki; P A. margaritae sp. nov. vs. 20–26 in A. busacki; P =0.017) (Table 2). Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. differs from the north-eastern Moroccan populations classified as A. maculatus by Bons and Geniez (1996, probably a composite assemblage of several species; Fig. 2) in having weakly keeled dorsal scales (vs. flat dorsal scales in A. cf. maculatus). It further differs in having small and pointed upper temporals and large and smooth lower temporals (vs. granular and flat upper temporals that gradually increase in size in A. cf. maculatus); by having 10–14 collar scales (vs. 8–11 in A. cf. maculatus); a higher number of granules around the supraoculars (16–48 vs. 14–21, respectively); and by the absence of a small upper labial scale beneath the subocular (at time present in A. cf. maculatus). In addition, A. margaritae sp. nov. is slenderer than A. cf. maculatus which is more robust and stubby with a shorter tail, especially females. Description of the holotype. Habitus robust (Fig. 6). Total length 196 mm ( SVL 65.1 mm; un-regenerated tail 130.9 mm). The head presents a well-defined lanceolate concavity from the frontal to the supranasal scales. Snout is pointed, but not very narrow. Rostral shield is not prominent, followed by paired supranasals, their suture very short. Frotonasal is hexagonal and slightly broader than long. Prefrontals are longer than broad; the length of the suture is almost as long as their width. Frontal is narrow and long, broader anteriorly than posteriorly; its length is almost its distance from the tip of the snout. Frontoparietals suture is almost half the length of the frontal, and almost the same length at their posterior margins with the parietals. Parietals are rather broader than longer. Interparietal is relatively large with a diamond shape and a clear parietal foramen; its length equals to its width. Occipital scale is absent. Three supraoculars, the first supraocular is broken into two fragments, the second and third supraoculars intact; six supraciliaries on each side, the first is the longest; 48/44 (left/right) supraciliary granules arranged in two continuous rows contacting the inner border of supraciliaries on each side. Nostrils situated at the cross-point of three scales, bordered dorsally by the supranasal, posteriorly by a single postnasal, and inferiorly by the first upper labial, which is broader above than below. Two loreal scales, the anterior one smaller, the posterior longer and in contact with the anterior first supraciliaries and subocular. Two suboculars with a sharp keel close to their upper margin, the anterior smaller, the posterior longer and wedged between the fourth and fifth upper labials, not contacting the lip. Scales along the upper margin of the suboculars are long and thin, followed by the postocular scales. Upper postocular in contact with the anterior supratemporal, separated from the posterior supraciliary and the supraoculars by granules. Scales in centre of lower eyelid small, round and granular. Seven upper labials on each side, four anterior to the subocular; the fourth upper labial is the longest, followed by the fifth. Two keeled supratemporals, the anterior longer than the posterior. Upper temporals small, pointed and granular, progressively larger and smoother towards the upper labials. A small tympanic scale is present. Anterior margin of the ear opening with six denticulations on each side, the middle four larger and subtriangular. Six lower labials on either side. Five pairs of submaxillaries, the three anterior from each side in contact in the middle. There are 33 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the submaxillaries and the median collar plate, slightly enlarged and imbricate towards the collar; gular fold absent. Collar curved, composed of 11 scales. Dorsal scales are small and pointed at the nape, slightly larger and weakly keeled between the limbs, becoming larger and flat with a keel on the tail; 55 rows of dorsal scales at midbody. Scales on the flanks are small, almost granular, pointed or slightly keeled, becoming larger and flat ventrally. Ventral scales arranged in 12 longitudinal rows and 33 transverse rows, arranged anteriorly in oblique transverse rows. Three enlarged preanal plates in a transversal row between the anterior cloacal margin and the gap between the two series of femoral pores. Two continuous rows of 21/23 femoral pores, the two series are in contact anteriorly and extending close to the knee. Dorsal surfaces of the limbs covered by medium sized, imbricate, keeled scales; anterior surface of the limbs covered by larger, unkeeled, imbricate scales; posterior covered with smaller granular scales. The right forelimb is amputated just before the fingers. The ventral side of the forelimbs is covered with small, smooth scales; ventral surface of hind limbs covered with large flat scales. Three longitudinal rows of scales on the toes, except the first which has only two; pectination along the toes is weak; 21 smooth sub-digital lamellae under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales are rectangular, larger than the posterior dorsals, flat and keeled; small scales are situated in a longitudinal straight line at the base of the tail on the vertebral row; ventral scales large and smooth. Background colouration in alcohol mainly brown. Pileus brown, head becoming brighter-whitish from the upper and lower labials ventrally, white inframaxillars. Dorsum brown with three lines of white ocelli extending from the nape to the tail; the central lines close to the centre of the dorsum start from the mid parietals and extend to the base of the tail. The middle lines start from the posterior supratemporals and continue to the sides of the tail. The outer lines are made of roundish ocelli and extend from the temporals to the hind-limbs. A black reticulation is present between the outer and middle lines, but is much reduced between the two inner lines. Fore and hind limbs with dark reticulation and white spots on a brown background. The entire underside of the head, body, limbs and tail is white. Variation. The paratypes do not differ substantially from the holotype in the meristic or discrete characters, varying slightly in size related measurements (Table 3). Paratype MCCI-R.560 has a partially broken tail at a third of its length, and paratypes MCCI-R.561 and BEV.9440 both have broken tails, but, in the former, the severed tail is preserved intact together with the specimens (Fig. 7). The number of femoral pores is lower in the two female paratypes, MCCI-R.562 and BEV.9440, for which the femoral rows are also not in contact. Colour and pattern of the adults of both sexes are similar to that of the holotype (based on the photographic material of individuals in the wild). Head dorsally brown with dark brown or black spots. Laterally the upper and lower labials are brighter with dark spots, and the gulars are whitish. The dorsum has a grey/brown background with three longitudinal whitish stripes (in juveniles) or series of ocelli (sub-adults and adults) on each side, starting from the back of the head. An additional whitish stripe is at the border between the dorsals and ventrals. A black reticulation is present among the stripes, which fades closer to the head, or present at lesser amount at midbody between the two central stripes. Adult males and females (prominent in males, not seen in alcohol) exhibit lateral yellow colouration from head to tail on the dorsum and ventrals during the spring; this yellowish colouration fades during the summer. Between the three dorsal stripes on each side, the two central stripes meet at the base of the tail, whereas the two lateral stripes continue along the tail (more obvious in juveniles). The tail is dorsally brown with transverse, continuous or discontinuous black bands laterally and between the two whitish stripes. The limbs have an irregular black and brownish background with whitish spots; this pattern is less obvious on the forelimbs. The ventral colour is off-white. Juveniles exhibit a more prominent contrast of colours on the dorsum and limbs. Juveniles have a blackish ground colour with four shining creamy longitudinal stripes on the dorsum and a row of ocelli of the same colour on each flank; the two median dorsal light stripes come together at the base of the tail while the blackish ground colour continues until the first third part of the tail; the tail is bluish to shining blue (Fig. 8). Distribution. Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. is endemic to Morocco (Fig. 1), from around 10 km north of Tamri in the north to Tiznit surroundings in the south (southernmost known locality: 3 km north-east of Sidi Boulfdail; PGe.151 & 152), and along the Souss valley to the east, as far as 25 km east of Taroudant (present study; PGe.150), but probably as far as Aoulouz (Salvador 1982; Bons & Geniez 1996). Its range is limited by the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains to the north, east and south, and is entirely included in the arid and semi-arid climates with warm or temperate winters (Bons & Geniez 1996). Natural history. Acanthodactylus margaritae sp. nov. is a ground-dwelling, diurnal, oviparous, medium-sized lizard, relatively large and stout-bodied. It mostly inhabits stony plains with fine grained soils, stable sands and fixed dunes, or hard clay grounds with scarce low vegetation but also, especially in the Souss valley, open argan tree forests. It is often sympatric with Acanthodactylus aureus in the coastal area, though the latter species prefers softer, looser sands.

Acanthodactylus busacki Salvador, 1982 Acanthodactylus busacki, Salvador, 1982, A revision of the lizards of the genus Acanthodactylus (Sauria: Lacertidae), Bonner Zoologische Monographien, Nr. 16: 88. Chresonyms Acanthodactylus busacki Salvador, 1982: 88 (part.) Acanthodactylus pardalis bedriagai Arnold, 1983: 319 (part.) Acanthodactylus bedriagai Harris & Arnold 2000: 352 (part.) Acanthodactylus busacki Mellado & Dakki 1988: 175 (part.); Mellado & Olmedo 1990: 133 (part.); Bons & Geniez 1996: 162 (part.); Schleich et al. 1996: 391 (part.); Donaire et al. 2000: 10; Geniez et al. 2004: 102 (part.); Brito et al. 2008: 21 (part.); Sindaco & Jeremčenko 2008: 218 (part.); Fonseca et al. 2008: 9 (part.); Geniez et al. 2010: IUCN red list (part.); Harris el al. 2010: 22 (part.); Carretero et al. 2011: 139 (part.); Trape et al. 2012: 302 (part.); Pyron et al. 2013: 17 (part.); Crochet et al. 2015: 584; Tamar et al. 2016: 8 (part.) Name-bearing type. Natural History Museum (London) BMNH1970.250, adult male, holotype by original designation. Type locality. 30 km south-west of Goulimine (= Guelmim), Morocco. Paratypes. Among the paratypes originally listed by Salvador (1982), MNHN-RA-1938.189 (Asrifa, Morocco), BMNH 1970.249 (same locality as the holotype), and EBD 2440 (Cape Bojador, Rio de Oro) belong to this species. Other paratypes listed in Salvador (1982) are allocated to the new species (see below) or to A. cf. maculatus (Appendix II). Other material. Ten voucher specimens listed in Appendix II under A. busacki, apart from the holotype and paratypes. Photographic material of one voucher specimen from MB and of 25 individuals photographed in the wild is listed in Appendix II. Diagnosis. A species of the pardalis species-group (i.e., small flat or carinated dorsal scales; three series of scales on the fingers; three supraoculars; 12 and sometimes 14 straight longitudinal row of ventrals; slightly pectinate toes; body pattern combining longitudinal rows of light ocelli and black reticulation) characterized by the combination of the following characters: (1) maximum recorded SVL 73 mm (51���73 mm in adult males); (2) three supraoculars, the first supraocular is either entire or fragmented with usually one row of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries; (3) 13���27 granules around the supraoculars; (4) subocular with a distinct keel located between the fourth and fifth upper labials and not contacting the lip; (5) upper temporals small and pointed whereas the lower temporals are large and smooth; (6) 8���11 collar scales; (7) 12 longitudinal rows of ventral scales; (8) 29���34 transverse rows of ventral scales; (9) 20���26 femoral pores on each side; (10) three rows of scales on fingers with slight lateral pectination, with 16���23 lamellae underneath the fourth toe; (11) dorsal scales are pointed and smooth; (12) dorsal colour pattern of juveniles, females and sub-adult males consists of two lateral longitudinal lines of pale ocelli on each side with strong black reticulation among them (four longitudinal dorsal lines in total), adult males have intricate colouration of black reticulation that covers most of the dorsal area and the rows of pale ocelli become indistinct or may completely disappear; (13) the males exhibit a unique colouration: the neck, the posterior part of the throat, the anterior parts of the body and belly, and the forelimbs are more or less reddish; this tint becoming progressively yellowish, whitish or slightly bluish at the posterior parts and tail; (14) sub-adults have reddish or white ventral tail colour. Distribution. Acanthodactylus busacki is found in the northern Saharan Atlantic coastal desert, from around Guelmim in the north to 67 km north-east of Dakhla (Crochet et al. 2015) in the south (Fig. 1; Appendix II). Its range is bordered to the north by the southern extension of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. According to Donaire et al. (2000) and Geniez et al. (2004) the species reaches the Hammada of Tindouf in the extreme south-east of the Atlantic Sahara, entering Algeria and approaching Mauritania, but these records need to be re-examined: they belong to a taxon of the pardalis species-group, but not necessarily to A. busacki; they might instead involve a desert form of A. cf. maculatus entering from the northern Sahara into Algeria and Morocco (J.A. Mateo pers. com.; pers. obs.). Natural history. Acanthodactylus busacki is a ground-dwelling, diurnal, oviparous, medium-sized lizard, relatively large and stout-bodied. It mostly inhabits habitats with hard substratum, most often clay deposits, more rarely rocky ground, always with scattered bushes. It is widely sympatric with A. aureus which occurs on sandy substratum (pers. obs.; Geniez et al. 2004). Reddish ventral tail colouration of sub-adults is present in all populations of this species, and not only in the southern populations (contra Crochet et al. 2015)., Published as part of Tamar, Karin, Geniez, Philippe, Brito, Jos�� C. & Crochet, Pierre-Andr��, 2017, Systematic revision of Acanthodactylus busacki (Squamata: Lacertidae) with a description of a new species from Morocco, pp. 357-386 in Zootaxa 4276 (3) on pages 367-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4276.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/806953, {"references":["Salvador, A. (1982) A revision of the lizards of the genus Acanthodactylus (Sauria: Lacertidae). Bonner Zoologisches Monographien, Nr. 16, Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, 1 - 167.","Arnold, E. N. (1983) Osteology, genitalia and the relationships of Acanthodactylus (Reptilia: Lacertidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Zoology, 44, 291 - 339.","Harris, D. J. & Arnold, E. N. (2000) Elucidation of the relationships of spiny footed lizards, Acanthodactylus spp. (Reptilia: Lacertidae) using mitochondrial DNA sequence, with comments on their biogeography and evolution. Journal of Zoology, 252, 351 - 362.","Mellado, J. & Dakki, M. (1988) Inventaire commente des amphibiens et reptiles du Maroc. Bulletin de l'Institut Scientifique, Rabat, 12, 171 - 181.","Mellado, J. & Olmedo, G. (1990) El genero Acanthodactylus en Marruecos: problemas de identificacion en los grupos de especies A. pardalis y A. scutellatus. Amphibia-Reptilia, 11, 131 - 146.","Bons, J. & Geniez, P. (1996) Amphibiens et reptiles du Maroc. Asociacion Herpetologica Espanola, Barcelona, 319 pp.","Schleich, H. H., Kastle, W. & Kabisch, K. (1996) Amphibians and reptiles of North Africa. Koeltz, Koenigstein, 627 pp.","Donaire, D., Mateo, J. A., Hasi, M. & Geniez, P. (2000) Nuevos datos sobre la fauna reptiliana de la Hamada de Tinduf (Argelia). Boletin de la Asociacion Herpetologica Espanola, 11, 8 - 12.","Geniez, P., Mateo, J. A., Geniez, M. & Pether, J. (2004) The amphibians and reptiles of the Western Sahara (former Spanish Sahara) and adjacent regions. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt, 228 pp.","Sindaco, R. & Jeremcenko, V. K. (2008) The reptiles of the Western Palearctic. Annotated checklist and distributional atlas of the turtles, crocodiles, amphisbaenians and lizards of Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia. Monografie della Societas Herpetologica Italica. Edizioni Belvedere, Latina, 579 pp.","Fonseca, M. M., Brito, J. C., Rebelo, H., Kalboussi, M., Larbes, S., Carretero, M. A. & Harris, D. J. (2008) Genetic variation among spiny-footed lizards in the Acanthodactylus pardalis group from North Africa. African Zoology, 43, 8 - 15. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 15627020.2008.11407401","Geniez, P., Mateo Miras, J. A., Joger, U., Pleguezuelos, J., Slimani, T. & El Mouden, E. H. (2010) Acanthodactylus busacki. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e. T 178569 A 7572735. Available from: http: // www. iucnredlist. org / details / 178569 / 0 (accessed 24 April 2017)","Carretero, M. A., Fonseca, M. M., Garcia-Munoz, E., Brito, J. C. & Harris, D. J. (2011) Adding Acanthodactylus beershebensis to the mtDNA phylogeny of the Acanthodactylus pardalis group. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 7, 138 - 142.","Trape, J. - F., Trape, S. & Chirio, L. (2012) Lezards, crocodiles et tortues d'Afrique occidentale et du Sahara. IRD Orstom, Marseille, 503 pp.","Pyron, R. A., Burbrink, F. T. & Wiens, J. J. (2013) A phylogeny and revised classification of Squamata, including 4161 species of lizards and snakes. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 13, 93.","Crochet, P. - A., Leblois, R. & Renoult, J. P. (2015) New reptile records from Morocco and Western Sahara. Herpetology Notes, 8, 583 - 588.","Tamar, K., Carranza, S., Sindaco, R., Moravec, J., Trape, J. - F. & Meiri, S. (2016) Out of Africa: Phylogeny and biogeography of the widespread genus Acanthodactylus (Reptilia: Lacertidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 103, 6 - 18. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. ympev. 2016.07.003"]}

The genus Rhynchocalamus comprises three species distributed in Southwest Asia. Little is known about them, most probably because of their secretive fossorial lifestyle. The poor knowledge of the genus is even underscored by the fact that its phylogenetic affinities remained unclear until very recently. The least known of the species, Rhynchocalamus arabicus, is known only from the holotype collected in Aden, Yemen, and it has not been observed since its description in 1933. Here we provide a second record for this species, which represents the first record of this genus for Oman. This extends its range in southern Arabia by more than 1000 km. The observed specimen was determined as R. arabicus on the basis of its similarity in size, color, and scalation with the holotype. Furthermore, we sequenced three mitochondrial (12S, 16S, cytb) and one nuclear (cmos) genes for R. arabicus and for two individuals of R. melanocephalus and one R. satunini and inferred the phylogenetic relationships of all currently recognized species of the genus for the first time. The results of our phylogenetic analyses indicate that Rhynchocalamus is a member of the Western Palearctic clade of Colubrinae and is sister to Lytorhynchus, with which it forms a very well supported clade and shares some morphological characters. As our results show, R. satunini is the basal lineage of the genus and R. melanocephalus is sister to R. arabicus.

Acanthodactylus is a widespread lacertid genus occurring from the Iberian Peninsula and western North Africa to western India including the Middle East, Cyprus, and the Arabian Peninsula. The genus is in dire need of a taxonomic revision, and the phylogenetic relationships amongst and within its species remain unclear. In particular, the taxonomy and relationship of the allopatric, narrow-ranged Acanthodactylus schreiberi and its close relative, the widespread Acanthodactylus boskianus asper, are poorly understood. We estimated the phylogenetic and phylogeographical structure of A. schreiberi across its distribution range, and evaluated its relationships to A. b. asper, using mitochondrial and nuclear data. The phylogenetic results indicate that both species are paraphyletic, with A. schreiberi nested within A. b. asper, and the subspecies A. schreiberi syriacus nested within a distinct lineage of A. b. asper. We suggest that the group is in need of a taxonomic revision because the identified lineages and genetic diversity are incongruent with the currently recognized taxonomy. We tentatively conclude that A. schreiberi is restricted to Cyprus and Turkey, reduced to a single form, and that the populations in Lebanon and Israel belong to A. b. asper. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, The work of J. M. was financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (DKRVO 2013/15, National Museum, 00023272). S. C. is funded by grant CGL2012-36970 from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain (cofunded by FEDER). This study was funded by a Israel Taxonomic Initiative grant to S. M. K. T. is supported by an Israel Taxonomic Initiative scholarship.