Loading...
Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: an underexplored biodiversity hotspot
Slavenko, Alex Allison, Allen Austin, Christopher C. Bauer, Aaron M. Brown, Rafe M. Fisher, Robert N. Ineich, Ivan Iova, Bulisa Karin, Benjamin R. Kraus, Fred
Slavenko, Alex
Allison, Allen
Austin, Christopher C.
Bauer, Aaron M.
Brown, Rafe M.
Fisher, Robert N.
Ineich, Ivan
Iova, Bulisa
Karin, Benjamin R.
Kraus, Fred
Authors
Slavenko, Alex
Allison, Allen
Austin, Christopher C.
Bauer, Aaron M.
Brown, Rafe M.
Fisher, Robert N.
Ineich, Ivan
Iova, Bulisa
Karin, Benjamin R.
Kraus, Fred
Mecke, Sven
Meiri, Shai
Morrison, Clare
Oliver, Paul M.
O'Shea, Mark
Richmond, Jonathan Q.
Shea, Glenn M.
Tallowin, Oliver J.S.
Chapple, David G.
Allison, Allen
Austin, Christopher C.
Bauer, Aaron M.
Brown, Rafe M.
Fisher, Robert N.
Ineich, Ivan
Iova, Bulisa
Karin, Benjamin R.
Kraus, Fred
Mecke, Sven
Meiri, Shai
Morrison, Clare
Oliver, Paul M.
O'Shea, Mark
Richmond, Jonathan Q.
Shea, Glenn M.
Tallowin, Oliver J.S.
Chapple, David G.
Editors
Other contributors
Affiliation
Epub Date
Issue Date
2023-01-06
Submitted date
Alternative
Abstract
Context: Skinks comprise the dominant component of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna in Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea (ONGEW). However, knowledge of their diversity is incomplete, and their conservation needs are poorly understood. Aims: To explore the diversity and threat status of the skinks of ONGEW and identify knowledge gaps and conservation needs. Methods: We compiled a list of all skink species occurring in the region and their threat categories designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. We used available genetic sequences deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s GenBank to generate a phylogeny of the region’s skinks. We then assessed their diversity within geographical sub-divisions and compared to other reptile taxa in the region. Key results: Approximately 300 species of skinks occur in ONGEW, making it the second largest global hotspot of skink diversity following Australia. Many phylogenetic relationships remain unresolved, and many species and genera are in need of taxonomic revision. One in five species are threatened with extinction, a higher proportion than almost all reptile families in the region. Conclusions: ONGEW contain a large proportion of global skink diversity on <1% of the Earth’s landmass. Many are endemic and face risks such as habitat loss and invasive predators. Yet, little is known about them, and many species require taxonomic revision and threat level re-assessment. Implications: The skinks of ONGEW are a diverse yet underexplored group of terrestrial vertebrates, with many species likely facing extreme risks in the near future. Further research is needed to understand the threats they face and how to protect them
Citation
Slavenko, A., Allison, A., Austin, C.C. et al. (2023) Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: an underexplored biodiversity hotspot. Pacific Conservation Biology. https://doi.org/10.1071/PC22034
Publisher
Journal
Research Unit
DOI
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Embedded videos
Additional Links
Type
Journal article
Language
en
Description
© 2023 The Authors. Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1071/PC22034
Series/Report no.
ISSN
1038-2097
EISSN
ISBN
ISMN
Gov't Doc #
Sponsors
DGC was supported by a grant from the Australian Research Council (FT200100108). Solomon Islands fieldwork by RMB and colleagues was supported by a grant from the US National Science Foundation (DEB-1557053). Research on New Guinea skinks by AS and colleagues, including fieldwork, was supported by Binational Science Foundation grants (2012143 to SM and AA and 002030900 to AS), a Naomi Foundation through the Tel Aviv University GRTF program grant (064181317 to AS), US National Science Foundation grants (DEB-0103794 and DEB-0743890 to FK and AA and DEB-1146033 and DEB-1926783 to CCA), and a National Geographic Explorer’s Grant (NGS-53506R-18) to CCA. RNF and JQR research in the Pacific Islands has been funded by many groups including Mohamed bin Zayed, Conservation International, Island Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Society, IUCN Oceania, SPREP, CEPF, San Diego Zoo Global, University of the South Pacific, and the U.S. Geological Survey.