Three new species of Ctenotus (Reptilia: Sauria: Scincidae) from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, with comments on the status of Ctenotus decaneurus yampiensi

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 8 years ago

ABSTRACT – Three new species of Ctenotus Storr, 1964 (Reptilia: Sauria: Scincidae), C. halysis sp. nov., C. mesotes sp. nov. and C. vagus sp. nov. are described. Previously confused with C. decaneurus Storr, 1970 or C. alacer Storr, 1970, C. halysis sp. nov. and C. vagus sp. nov. are members of the C. atlas species complex. Ctenotus mesotes sp. nov. was previously confused with C. tantillus Storr, 1975 and is a member of the C. schomburgkii species complex. The new taxa are terrestrial, occurring in woodland habitats on sandy soils in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and are distinguished from congeners by combinations of body patterns, mensural and meristic characteristics. Comments are provided on the taxonomic status of C. yampiensis Storr, 1975 which is considered, as in the original description, a subspecies of C. decaneurus. Redescriptions of C. d. decaneurus and C. d. yampiensis are provided.

KEYWORDS: Ctenotus alacer, decaneurus, yampiensis, halysis, mesotes, tantillus, vagus, morphology, new species, Kimberley region, Western Australia