Length: SVL up to 85mm, with the tail being longer than the body length

Weight: up to 10.5 grams

Description

A very rare and often beautifully coloured species with an unusual prehensile tail, known only from a small area of modified agricultural land near Hokitika in the South Island's West Coast region. Kapitia skinks (formerly known as Chesterfield skinks) have large dark eyes, and a medium length wedge-shaped snout. They are a glossy red-brown on the dorsal surfaces, with lighter and darker flecking, and no mid-dorsal stripe. Flanks have broad dark red-brown lateral stripes, which are edged in black and bordered by light-brown stripes above and below which are typically heavily-notched. Ventral (lower surfaces) are yellow either with or without small black flecks. Underside of tail changes from yellow to a distinctive blue-grey interspersed with salmon-coloured flecks which give the species it's latin name ('salmo'). 

Life expectancy

Unknown.

Distribution

Known only from a small strip of rank grass alongside agricultural pasture near Chesterfield in the West Coast region of the South Island. 

Ecology and habitat

Kapitia skinks are a diurnal and heliothermic species, but often only bask cryptically near a retreat. Interestingly, despite occuring exclusively in modified agricultural habitat, Kapitia skinks have strongly prehensile tails. It is suspected that prior to modification of their habitat the species may have been at least partially arboreal.

Currently, Kapitia skinks are restricted to a narrow strip of rank grass between pasture and coastal sand dunes. At this location, they take refuge either in dense vegetation, or under logs, driftwood, and anthropogenic debris which has accumulated in the area.

Social structure

Unknown

Breeding biology

Little is known about the breeding biology of Kapitia skinks. However, they are believed to reach maturity in around 4 years, and gravid females have been known to give birth in late summer (February).

Diet

Kapitia skinks are insectivorous, feeding on various small insects and other invertebrates. It is also thought that prior to modification of their habitat, they may have also be frugivorous - consuming the fruit / berries of native plants.

Disease

Unknown

Conservation strategy

Kapitia skinks are one of New Zealand's rarest lizards and are currently regarded as critically endangered. Much of their historical decline has been attributed to habitat modification for agriculture. At present, it is thought that mammalian predators (particularly mice) may be having a large impact on the species, while other threats include habitat destruction from storms, vehicles, and fire.

In 2017 the population of Kapitia skinks at Chesterfield was estimated at less than 200 individuals. When Cyclone Fehi destroyed a significant amount of their habitat during February 2018, and with further storms predicted, the decision was made to collect 50 Kapitia skinks to start a captive population at Auckland Zoo. These skinks have since bred several times in captivity and there are plans to reintroduce them to a specially-fenced protected area near to where they were sourced.

Interesting notes

Kapitia skinks were only discovered in the 1990's, and prior to 2015 only 15 individuals had ever been found.

Kapitia skinks get their scientific name from the Latin word for salmon ('salmo'), referring to the distinctive salmon-pink colouration on the underside of their tail.

Kapitia skinks are members of the speckled skink cryptic species complex - a group of related taxa with similar morphology that were previously regarded as one highly variable species (Oligosoma infrapunctatum).

References

Chapple, D. G., Ritchie, P. A., & Daugherty, C. H. (2009). Origin, diversification, and systematics of the New Zealand skink fauna (Reptilia: Scincidae). Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 52(2), 470-487.

Greaves, S. N., Chapple, D. G., Daugherty, C. H., Gleeson, D. M., & Ritchie, P. A. (2008). Genetic divergences pre‐date Pleistocene glacial cycles in the New Zealand speckled skink, Oligosoma infrapunctatum. Journal of biogeography, 35(5), 853-864.

Hitchmough, R., Barr, B., Knox, C., Lettink, M., Monks, J. M., Patterson, G. B., Reardon, J. T., van Winkel, D., Rolfe, J., & Michel, P. (2021). Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2021. New Zealand threat classification series 35. Wellington: New Zealand Department of Conversation.

Hitchmough, R.A., Barr, B., Lettink, M., Monks, J., Reardon, J., Tocher, M., van Winkel, D., Rolfe, J. (2016). Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2015; New Zealand threat classification series 17. Wellington: New Zealand Department of Conservation.

Jewell, T. (2011). A photographic guide to reptiles and amphibians of New Zealand. Auckland: New Holland Publishing.

Melzer, S., Hitchmough, R. H., Bell, T., Chapple, D. G., Patterson, G. B. (2019). Lost and Found: Taxonomic revision of the speckled skink (Oligosoma infrapunctatum; Reptilia; Scincidae) species complex from New Zealand reveals a potential cryptic extinction, resurrection of two species, and description of three new species. Zootaxa, 4623 (3), 441–484.

van Winkel, D., Baling, M. & Hitchmough, R. (2018). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand: A field guide. Auckland: Auckland University Press, 376 pp.

Chesterfield skink. Department of Conservation. Retrieved 05/02/21 from: www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/reptiles-and-frogs/lizards/skinks/chesterfield-skink