THE IDENTITY OF LYGOSOMA (RHODONA) GOERLINGI AHL, 1935 (SQUAMATA SCINCIDAE)

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Introduction: After Ctenotus. the scincid lizard genus Lerista is the most species-rich genus of Australian lizards, with over 50 species currently recognised. Recent work has identified several radiations within the genus, including the L. wilkinsi group of north-east Queensland (Greer et at. 1983), the L. bipes group, centred over north-west Australia (Greer 1986), and the L. nichollsi complex of the central west coast and hinterland (Storr 1984, 1986; Kendrick 1989). Within these groups, the species are often only subtly different, and may have very restricted distributions.

With the number of such species continuing to grow, it is relevant to reconsider the status of early names, placed in synonymy by Storr (1971) at a time when minor differences were given less importance.

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