Marbled skink

The marbled skink (Oligosoma oliveri), also known commonly as Oliver's New Zealand skink and Oliver's skink, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Lygosominae of the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand.

Etymology

The specific name, oliveri, is in honor of New Zealand ornithologist Walter Reginald Brook Oliver.

Description

Oligosoma oliveri may attain a maximum snout-to-vent length (SVL) of .

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Oligosoma oliveri is the leaf litter of forest and shrubland.

Behavior

Oligosoma oliveri is terrestrial, and it is both crepuscular and nocturnal.

Diet

Oligosoma oliveri is omnivorous. It preys upon invertebrates, and it also eats berries and other fruit.

Reproduction

Oligosoma oliveri is viviparous. Litter size is two to four neonates.

References

Further reading

• , , Daugherty CH (2009). "Origin, diversification, and systematics of the New Zealand skink fauna (Reptilia: Scincidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 52 (2): 470–487.
• McCann C (1955). "The Lizards of New Zealand. Gekkonidae and Scincidae". Dominion Museum Bulletin (17): 1–127. (Leiolopisma oliveri, new species, pp. 76–77, 79, 94 + Plate XIII, figures 1–5).
• van Winkel D, , Hitchmough R (2019). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand: A Field Guide. Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press. viii + 366 pp. (Oligosoma oliveri, pp. 157, 286–287, 297–298).