Kuniesaurus

Kuniesaurus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Scincidae
Genus:	Kuniesaurus Sadlier [fr], Deuss, Bauer, and Jourdan, 2019[1]
Species:	K. albiauris
Binomial name
Kuniesaurus albiauris Sadlier, Deuss, Bauer, and Jourdan, 2019[1]

Kuniesaurus albiauris is a species of skink endemic to New Caledonia.[1][2] It is the only species in the monotypic genus Kuniesaurus.[3]

Kuniesaurus albiauris is only known from a small patch of dense coastal forest with limestone substrate on the Isle of Pines. Due to its very small and restricted habitat, it is highly threatened by invasive species such as the little fire ant. It has been proposed that Kuniesaurus be classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.[1]

Kuniesaurus albiauris is a small-sized species, with adults measuring less than 50 mm (2.0 in) in snout–vent length.[1]

References

1. Jourdan, Hervé; Bauer, Aaron M.; Deuss, Matthias & Sadlier, Ross A. (Jan 2019). "Kuniesaurus albiauris, a New Genus and Species of Scincid Lizard from the Île des Pins, New Caledonia, with Comments on the Diversity and Affinities of the Region's Lizard Fauna" (PDF). Pacific Science. 73 (1): 123–141. doi:10.2984/73.1.6. S2CID 92668701.
2. Kuniesaurus albiauris at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 March 2023.
3. Kuniesaurus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 March 2023.