Liopholis aputja Farquhar, Mulder, Russell, Haines & Chapple, 2024

Farquhar, Jules E., Mulder, Jordan A., Russell, Wyn, Haines, Margaret L., Rangers, Anangu & Chapple, David G., 2024, A new species of rock skink (Scincidae: Liopholis) from the Central Ranges bioregion of arid Australia, Zootaxa 5536 (1), pp. 153-177 : 165-167

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5536.1.6
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:991D72E2-7948-4433-8434-FE647649EA75
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14052709
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/21D7BF40-8680-436A-B0DA-4D0E3D07D6EE
taxon LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:act:21D7BF40-8680-436A-B0DA-4D0E3D07D6EE
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Liopholis aputja Farquhar, Mulder, Russell, Haines & Chapple
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Liopholis aputja Farquhar, Mulder, Russell, Haines & Chapple sp. nov.

Central Ranges Rock Skink

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:21D7BF40-8680-436A-B0DA-4D0E3D07D6EE

( Figures 4 View FIGURE 4 , 5A–D View FIGURE 5 )

Holotype ( Figure 4 View FIGURE 4 ). SAMA R60802 , adult, collected at night while active in Alalkanya Gorge , 13 km north of Pukatja, Musgrave Ranges, South Australia (-26.1633, 132.1166), by J. van Weenan on 20 October 2005 (J. van Weenan pers. comm. 2024). Measurements in millimetres: SVL 92, tail 158 (original, 170% of SVL), HL 20, HW 15.1, HD 9.6, AGL 46.2, BW 18.7, FLL 26.3, HLL 36. Scale counts: MSR 37, SubDig 28, SupLab 9, SupCil 6, Cil 13, Lob 5 (with an additional 6 th miniscule uppermost lobule), nuchal scales in two pairs (cf. one pair in all other specimens). Colouration of this specimen is typical of the species in preservative. GoogleMaps

Paratypes: R51590 , 36.5 km ESE of Amata, South Australia (-26.2558, 131.4933), collected by M. Hutchinson on 25 October 1998 GoogleMaps ; R17456 , juvenile, Erliwunyawunya Rockhole , South Australia (-26.35833, 131.72499), collected on 7 July 1961 GoogleMaps ; R17271 , Piltadi , South Australia (-26.116, 130.283) GoogleMaps .

Referred Material: Details of wild specimens from which supplementary data were obtained are provided in Table A1 View TABLE 1 , Appendix.

Diagnosis. Liopholis aputja sp. nov. can be distinguished from other members of the genus by a combination of the following characters: moderately large size (maximum SVL up to 135 mm); snout relatively pointed—distance between outer edges of parietals usually no more than the distance from the snout to the posterior edge of the frontal; dorsal scales smooth; conspicuous black callus along free edge of subdigital lamellae; palmar and plantar scales each with a prominent black tubercle. Usually six supraciliary scales; usually four enlarged lobules projecting from anterior border of ear opening. Dorsal surfaces dull orangish-brown, typically with pair of broad diffuse cream dorsolateral stripes and faint indications of five longitudinally aligned black dorsal stripes; head brigher orangish-brown than body; chin and throat salmon orange and without dark marking; ventral surface uniform creamish-white.

Description. Full summary statistics of morphology data are presented in Table 1. A View TABLE 1 moderately large, robust Liopholis species. Measurements (as means with range in parentheses) of all specimens: SVL 101.1 mm (60.2–135); HL 19.2 mm (14.2–20.9); HW 14.2 mm (10.7–15.4); HD 9.7 mm (7.3–10.7); AGL 47.4 mm (31–62.7); BW 17.8 mm (12.9–19.6); FLL 25.4 mm (18.1–29.7); HLL 34.1 mm (25–39.8). The original tail length (TL) of adults (> 75 mm SVL) is 150.6 mm (130.5–158).

Head. Head dorsoventrally depressed (head depth is 48%–52% of head length, x̄ = 50%). Snout relatively pointed (head length is 132%–138% of head width, x̄ = 135%) and relatively shallow. Supralabials 8–10 (usually 9); supraciliaries 6–7 (usually 6); ciliaries 10–13 (usually 12); ear opening large, oblong and oriented vertically, with 3– 5 (usually 4) enlarged lobules on the anterior margin, projecting over opening, often with a single additional tiny ear lobule above the enlarged series, ear lobule shape variable, being either obtuse, rectangular or acute; typically only one pair of enlarged nuchal scales (two pairs in SAMA R60802); nasal scales separated, moderately to widely so; post-narial groove absent; prefrontals in broad contact, occasionally in narrow contact; neck only slightly narrower than widest part of head (above tympani); lower eyelid movable; parietal scales divided.

Body. Moderately robust body (axilla-groin length is 48%–61% of SVL, x̄ = 52%) with smooth, overlapping scales in 32–39 rows (MSR), but usually 36–38 (rarely 32 and 39).

Limbs. Limbs of moderate length (forelimb is 27%–30% of SVL, x̄ = 28%; hindlimb is 34%–42% of SVL, x̄ = 38%); digits short and well-developed; finger length: 4>3>2>5>1, toe length: 4>3>5>2>1; subdigital lamellae 22–28 (usually 26) under fourth toe, with conspicuous black callus along free edge of lamellae; claws sharp and recurved; palmar and plantar scales each with prominent black callus along free edge.

Tail. Original tail long (128%–176% of SVL, x̄ = 157%; n = 4) and approximately cylindrical, tapering to a pointed tip.

Colour pattern in life ( Figures 5A–D View FIGURE 5 ): (n = 8) Background colouration of the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the body, limbs and tail typically dull orangish-brown with thin black scale margins; top and sides of head usually more vibrant orangish-brown than body. Ciliary scales bright yellow; ear lobules pale cream. Ventral surfaces uniform creamish-white; chin and throat salmon orange and without dark markings. Patterning of the head, dorsum, limbs and flanks is variable (see ‘ Variation ’ section below). On top of head there is often irregular black markings, typically on scale margins; lateral head markings often include black vertical bars between some of the supralabial scales, and a black streak running from about the loreal region, through eye and extending along the suture of the upper and lower secondary temporals, and terminating on the tertiary temporals. Irregular pale blotches may be present in labial region. Usually there is a pair of broad diffuse cream dorsolateral stripes, and faint indications of five longitudinally aligned black dorsal stripes, commencing on the nape and extending to tail base; these stripes typically are more distinct anteriorly and often become diffuse posteriorly. Lateral patterning consists of scattered white spots, with dark anterior margins. Tail and limb colour patterning is generally similar to that of the dorsum and flanks.

Colour pattern in preservative ( Figure 4 View FIGURE 4 ): Colour pattern in preservative (n = 4) is largely similar to the description in life but with slightly to significantly faded and less vibrant colouration overall. The salmon orange chin and throat colour (present in live specimens) is absent in all preserved specimens. The characteristic black calli of the subdigital lamellae, plantar and palmar scales is substantially faded or absent in preservative.

Variation: Liopholis aputja sp. nov. is variable in pattern, ranging from heavily patterned ( Figure 5A View FIGURE 5 ) to almost completely patternless ( Figure 5C View FIGURE 5 ), and this variability occurs within the same location. In well-patterned individuals, there are scattered white spots with dark anterior margins on the dorsum, flanks, limbs and tail ( Figure 5A, D View FIGURE 5 ); but for some intermediate ( Figure 5B View FIGURE 5 ) to weakly patterned ( Figure 5C View FIGURE 5 ) specimens, these spots occur only on the flanks, or are absent. In pattern-reduced specimens, head patterning may be absent, or at least consists of a black streak in front of and behind eye. In patterned-reduced specimens, the five thin black dorsal lines may be absent, or perceivable only anteriorly.

Etymology. Aputja is a word from the Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara language spoken by First Nations peoples where this lizard species is found in APY (Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Lands of north-western South Australia. Aputja means ‘of the hills’, in reference to this species occurring in the hills and gorges of the Mann-Musgrave Ranges, unlike other Liopholis spp. of the region which occur on sandplains. The specific epithet is constructed as a noun in apposition. In arriving at this name, we spoke to rangers, Traditional Owners and knowledge holders across the APY Lands; in Pukatja, Fregon, Mimili/Amaroona, Indulkana, Amata and Pipalyatjara. Responses to asking for the name of the new Liopholis species varied. However, particular clarity in narrowing the name down to Aputja was provided by the following Traditional Owners: Allan Wilson (Indulkana/Pukatja), Johnny Roberts (Fregon), Winmati Roberts (Fregon/Umuwa), Manyiritjanu Lennon (Pukatja), and Hughie Cullinan (Mimili/ Amaroona). The common name Central Ranges Rock Skink is chosen because L. aputja sp. nov. is endemic to the Central Ranges bioregion ( Thackway & Cresswell 1995). We chose the words ‘rock skink’ for clarity and consistency, given that most other saxicoline members of the Liopholis genus are commonly referred to as rock skinks (Australian Society of Herpetologists 2023).

Comparison with similar Liopholis . Liopholis aputja sp. nov. is most closely related to L. margaretae , from which it is allopatric and genetically distinct (net between group mean distance of 12.4% in the ND4 gene). Liopholis aputja sp. nov. differs from L. margaretae as follows: in having only the head (and sometimes the neck) a brighter orangish-brown than the rest of the body (versus the entire anterior half of the body reddish-brown); in more frequently exhibiting intermediate forms with varying degrees of pattern prominence (versus an almost discrete dichotomous separation between patterned and unpatterned morphs ( Figure 5 View FIGURE 5 ); in lacking black lateral spots which tend to form oblique rows directed up and back (versus sometimes present); in always lacking dark suture markings under chin (versus sometimes present); in having a pair of broad diffuse cream dorsolateral stripes and faint indications of five longitudinally aligned black dorsal stripes (versus absence of such stripes). For meristic characters, L. aputja sp. nov. has on average more midbody rows, subdigital lamellae, supralabials, ciliaries, ear lobules, but less supraciliaries ( Figure 3B View FIGURE 3 ; Figure 6 View FIGURE 6 ; Table 1 View TABLE 1 ). While multiple features should be considered simultaneously for identification, supraciliary counts are particularly reliable to distinguish these two species, given L. aputja sp. nov. usually (84%) have 6, whereas L. margaretae usually (74%) have 8 ( Figure 6 View FIGURE 6 ).

While L. aputja sp. nov. is the only rock - dwelling Liopholis occurring in the Mann-Musgrave Ranges, there are several congeners recorded in the desert sand plains adjoining these ranges: L. inornata (Rosén 1905) , L. kintorei (Stirling & Zietz 1893), L. slateri ( Storr 1968) , and L. striata (Sternfeld 1919) . Unlike L. aputja sp. nov., these species have blunt heads (i.e. distance between outer edges of parietals usually greater than the distance from the snout to the hind edge of frontal scale), and lack the conspicuous black callus along free edge of the subdigital lamellae and the palmar and plantar scales.

Liopholis aputja sp. nov., L. margaretae , L. personata , and L. modesta are geographically widely separated from one another, but all share rock-dwelling habits. Liopholis aputja sp. nov. usually has 38 or less MSR, whereas L. personata has 38 or more ( Storr 1968). Liopholis aputja sp. nov. almost always has 6 supraciliaries, whereas L. modesta usually has 7 or 8 ( Storr 1968). Liopholis aputja sp. nov., L. margaretae , and L. personata are superficially similar in morphology and all share the character of conspicuous black calluses on subdigital lamellae, palmar, and plantar scales, whereas L. modesta lacks this scalation and has cream facial and axillary spots (shared by the whitii - complex) that are absent in the other rock-dwelling species.

Distribution and habitat. The species’ distribution falls entirely within the Central Ranges bioregion ( Thackway & Cresswell 1995) of Australia ( Figure 7 View FIGURE 7 ). It occurs in rocky hills and gorges of the Mann and Musgrave Ranges ( Figure 8 View FIGURE 8 ), where it constructs burrow systems in the soil beneath boulders and into soil-filled rock crevices. It is possible that the species also occurs outside of SA, where sections of the Mann and Musgrave Ranges extend slightly into the southern NT; however, there are no records outside of SA at present. It is primarily diurnal but occasionally active at night in hot weather.

Conservation status. There are few recorded locations for Liopholis aputja sp. nov. given the remote region it occurs in; hence, current occurrence records may be insufficient at describing the species’ distribution. We inferred the species’ distribution based on the extent of rugged terrain in the Mann and Musgrave Ranges region (i.e. the two ranges with occurrence records for the species; Figure 9 View FIGURE 9 ). Based on these calculations the AOO is c. 5,000 km 2 (i.e. the area of rugged habitat in the region) and the EOO is c. 14,500 km 2 (i.e. the area of a minimum convex polygon encompassing the rugged habitat used for AOO). The EOO is less than a threshold in the IUCN criteria B (subcriterion B1; <20,000 km 2; Vulnerable), and it likely meets the condition of occurring in ≤ 10 locations, but at present it remains unclear whether it meets the other conditions relating to severe fragmentation, or decline or extreme fluctuations in population or distribution ( IUCN 2022). The geographic distribution of this species is sparselypopulated by humans and is extremely remote, thus populations are likely to be rarely impacted by anthropogenic disturbances. The impacts of feral predators and grazers, weed encroachment (e.g. buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris ), fire regimes and climate change on the species should be further investigated. However, the conservation status of Liopholis aputja sp. nov. will be examined in further detail in a forthcoming paper.