Taxonomic Resolution to the Problem of Polyphyly in the New Caledonian Scincid Lizard Genus Lioscincus (Squamata: Scincidae)

Recent genetic studies have identified the New Caledonian scincid genus Lioscincus to be polyphyletic, comprising four distinct evolutionary lineages which we recognize at the generic level. The revised concept of Lioscincus s.s. now includes only the type species Lioscincus steindachneri Bocage, 1873 and the recently described Lioscincus vivae Sadlier, Bauer, Whitaker & Smith, 2004. The three remaining lineages identified are: Leiolopisma tillieri Ineich & Sadlier, 1991 and Lioscincus maruia Sadlier, Whitaker & Bauer, 1998 for which the genus Phasmasaurus gen. nov. is proposed; Lygosoma (Mocoa) nigrofasciolatus Peters, 1869 and Leiolopisma greeri Bohme, 1979 for which the genus Epibator gen. nov. is proposed; and Lygosoma (Leiolopisma) novaecaledoniae Parker, 1926 for which the genus Caesoris gen. nov. is proposed. Each of these genera is diagnosed by a suite of morphological apomorphies which in combination is unique within the Eugongylus group of skinks of which each is a member. The revised taxonomy presented here, which recognises an additional three new genera, brings the number of endemic skink genera present in New Caledonia to 17, representing approximately 40% of the generic diversity within the Australian/Pacific region Eugongylus group of skinks as currently recognised. Although we are reluctant to erect new genera to accommodate one or two species, the data at hand suggest this as the most accurate reflection of the available genetic and morphological data.