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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 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.

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 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 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."]}

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