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Abstract

Two species of scincid lizard, both hitherto identified as Leiolopisma pretiosum, occur syntopically on Mt Wellington, near Hobart, Tasmania. One of these is conspecific with the holotype of Moeoa pretiosa O'Shaughnessy, 1874, while the other is conspecific with the holotype of Mocoa microlepidota O'Shaughnessy, 1874, which has been regarded as a synonym of L. pretiosum since 1887. The two species are redescribed as members of an endemic Tasmanian subgroup within the Australian radiation of the genus Leiolopisma (sensu Greer 1982). Leiolopisma mierolepidotum is confined to disjunct alpine populations in the south and west of Tasmania. It differs from L. pretiosum in colour pattern, larger size and more robust, less depressed head and body. Aspects of the biology and ecology of these and other Tasmanian endemic Leiolopisma species are also discussed.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Hutchinson, MN and Robertson, P and Rawlinson, PA
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, RST, Van Diemens Land, natural history, science, ecology, taxonomy, botany, zoology, geology, geography, papers & proceedings, Australia, UTAS Library,
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
ISSN:	0080-4703
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.123.257
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	Copyright Royal Society of Tasmania
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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