Chasing the Rainbow: Systematics of New Guinean Rainbow Skinks

Authors

Taylor Probst, Brigham Young University - ProvoFollow
Alison Whiting, Brigham Young University - ProvoFollow

Files

Keywords

Carlia, phylogeny, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Oral Presentation Honorable Mention

• Carlia are known as the “Rainbow skinks” due to their iridescent scales (see Figure 1).

• Carlia are found across Oceania (see figure 2), however only relationships among the Australian species are known.

• New Guinean Carlia are divided into three species groups based on size, distribution, and morphology.

• Species within the Carlia fusca complex have primarily been delineated based on regional color patterns (see Figure 4).

• New Guinea is known for extreme lizard diversity, specifically within skinks.

• Research has shown that many lizard groups underwent a rapid diversification within New Guinea, and there are many undiscovered species.

• We seek to produce the first ever molecular phylogeny of the rainbow skinks from Papua New

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

Probst, Taylor and Whiting, Alison, "Chasing the Rainbow: Systematics of New Guinean Rainbow Skinks" (2024). Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2024. 42.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/library_studentposters_2024/42

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2024-03-21

Language

English

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Senior

Copyright Use Information

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