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Oligosoma facts for kids

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Oligosoma
Otago skink.jpg
Otago skink, Oligosoma otagense
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Subfamily: Eugongylinae
Genus: Oligosoma
Girard, 1857
Species

Over 30, see text.

Oligosoma is a genus of small to medium-sized skinks. Skinks are a type of lizard that look a bit like snakes with tiny legs! You can only find Oligosoma skinks in New Zealand, as well as on Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. These islands are located in the Pacific Ocean. Scientists have found that Oligosoma skinks are related to a group of lizards called Eugongylus and are quite similar to the Australian skink genus Bassiana.

Meet the Oligosoma Skink Species

There are many different kinds of Oligosoma skinks. Scientists have officially described over 30 species! Each one has its own unique features and habitats. Here are some of the known species:

Nota bene: When you see a name in parentheses after a species name, it means that the scientist who first described that species originally placed it in a different group (genus) than Oligosoma.

Understanding Oligosoma and Cyclodina

Recently, scientists used special tests to study the genes of skinks. They found that a group of skinks previously known as Cyclodina are actually very closely related to Oligosoma skinks. Because of this, scientists decided to combine the two groups. Now, all skinks that were once called Cyclodina are considered part of the Oligosoma genus. This means Cyclodina is no longer used as a separate group name.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Oligosoma para niños

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