<
https://theconversation.com/meet-kungaka-the-hidden-one-this-ancient-lizard-could-be-the-rarest-reptile-in-australia-279561>
"Hidden among the red sandstone escarpments of Mutawintji National Park in
western New South Wales lives a rare lizard, long isolated in this arid
landscape.
Known to Wiimpatja Aboriginal Owners as kungaka – “the hidden one” – we have
now scientifically described it as a new species:
Liopholis mutawintji.
For decades, this little lizard was thought to be an isolated population of a
widespread skink. However, through a research collaboration between Wiimpatja
and scientists we have confirmed it as a distinct species found nowhere else on
Earth.
We have been monitoring them for 25 years. We believe there may be up to only
20 individual kungaka remaining. It may be one of Australia’s rarest reptiles."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
