To celebrate the first day of the summer school holidays the WA Museum’s resident reptile expert will display a live, newly described skink species in the WA Museum’s Discovery Centre, Perth on Thursday 15 December at 9.30am.
With eight new reptile and two frog species described this year 2011 has been a busy time for Dr Paul Doughty and his colleagues.
This year Dr Doughty’s research has focussed on WA’s Pilbara region which is one of the most diverse areas for reptiles in the world.
“WA is a great place to be a reptile and frog enthusiast, as it is incredibly diverse and we still are making exciting new discoveries like these spiny skinks and geckos every year,” said Dr Doughty.
Dr Doughty clearly has a passion for reptiles, describing the newly described Western Pilbara Spiny-tail Skink as ‘super-cute and friendly’.
“The Western Pilbara Spiny-Tail Skink is one of the most interesting species described this year. It has a rich red colouration to match the rocks of the Pilbara and has short-strong spines for protection from predators,” Dr Doughty said.
The description this year of the two species of spiny-tail skinks and the Pilbara Barking Gecko relied on new discoveries of populations from the Pilbara region, which has been the focus of floral and faunal surveys through new mining and developmental proposals and a Pilbara Biodiversity Survey by the Department of Environment and Conservation.
Genetic analyses provided by Professor Steve Donnellan of the South Australian Museum were key to revealing the new species of spiny-tail skinks.
“Using DNA testing we are able to discover and learn so much more about Western Australia’s biodiversity and gain insight into the evolution and history of our species,” Dr Doughty said.
Find out for yourself if the Western Pilbara Spiny-Tail Skink really is ‘cute’ and ask Dr Doughty about his tales of discovery at the WA Museum – Perth on Thursday 15 December, 2011 from 9.30am. Entry to the WA Museum – Perth is free.
PHOTOGRAPH AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
When: Thursday 15 December, 2011 @ 9.30am
Where: Western Australian Museum – Perth, James Street, Perth Cultural Centre, Discovery Centre
Interview Opportunities: Dr Paul Doughty, Curator Herpetology, WA Museum
Photograph Opportunities: Live specimen of Western Pilbara Spiny-Tail Skink
New gecko species described in 2011
Pilbara Barking Gecko – Underwoodisaurus seorsus, Doughty & Oliver
Northern Beaked Gecko – Rhynchoedura sexapora, Pepper, Doughty, Hutchinson & Keogh
Brigalow Beaked Gecko – Rhynchoedura mentalis, Pepper, Doughty, Hutchinson & Keogh
Eyre Basin Beaked Gecko – Rhynchoedura eyrensis, Pepper, Doughty, Hutchinson & Keogh
Border Beaked Gecko – Rhynchoedura angusta, Pepper, Doughty, Hutchinson & Keogh
New skink species described in 2011
Central Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink – Egernia eos, Doughty, Kealley & Donnellan
Western Pilbara Spiny-tailed Skink – Egernia cygnitos, Doughty, Kealley & Donnellan
Eastern Pilbara Spiny-tailed Skink – Egernia epsisolus, Doughty, Kealley & Donnellan
New frog species described in 2011
Pilbara Toadlet – Uperoleia saxatilis Catullo, Doughty, Roberts & Keogh
Kimberley Rocket Frog – Litoria axillaris, Doughty
- Kimberley Rocket Frog
- Photo by Paul Doughty
- Image copyright of WA Museum
- Western Pilbara Spiny-tailed Skink
- Photo by G. Gaikhorst
- Image copyright of G. Gaikhorst
Denise Johnson
E.denise.johnson@museum.wa.gov.au
T. 9212 3860 M. 0414 381 761
