Spondylurus haitiae (Hispaniola Four-lined Skink)

[simontonge]

Spondylurus haitiae is a newly described species of skink removed from synonymy in Mabuya. It is known from a single specimen, and four associated foetuses, now in Harvard. It was collected in Grande Anse, Haiti, in 1857-58 and has never been seen since. Presumably the introduction of the mongoose was the main reason for its extinction.
The source is Blair Hedges & Caitlin Conn (2012) A new skink fauna from Caribbean islands. Zootaxa: 3288 1-244

[Melanie]

Full article online:

www.hedgeslab.org/pubs/237.pdf

[surroundx]

Jun 2, 2012 23:33:08 GMT Melanie said:

Full article online:

www.hedgeslab.org/pubs/237.pdf

The correct address is:

www.hedgeslab.org/pubs/235.pdf

[Sebbe]

Classified as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) because it has not been recorded since 1857–58 although searches have been conducted in the localities where it was collected, its extent of occurrence is thought to have been below 100 km2, it is known from a single location defined by impacts from invasive mammals, and there is presumed to be a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals in any surviving population, as well as an observed decline in the extent and quality of dry forest habitat on which this species may have depended. This non-detection both at the known locality and elsewhere, despite extensive fieldwork across Haiti during most of the 20th Century, and documented declines and extinctions of Caribbean skinks following the introduction of mongoose and rats, suggests that the species may be extinct.

The species is known only from the type-locality in Jérémie, Haiti (Hedges and Conn 2012). It has been collected at 375 m asl (M. Landestoy and S. Incháustegui pers. comm. 2015).

It has not been collected since the holotype was taken in 1857–58 (Hedges and Conn 2012).

www.iucnredlist.org/details/47103175/0