Conservationists have discovered two new species of lizard this year, bringing to seven those found in the past 2 1/2 years, Conservation Minister Chris Carter said yesterday.
He was launching Conservation Week, which starts today.
"We have at least 80 species and subspecies of lizard that we know of and we are
still finding more," Mr Carter said. The findings showed there was much still to learn about wildlife in New Zealand, and the impact of humans.
The newest discoveries include the:
* Sinbad Valley skink: Discovered in March in the mountains of Fiordland.
* Rangitata skink: Discovered in Canterbury early this year.
* Whirinaki skink: Discovered last year in a forest clearing in Whirinaki.
* Te Kakahu skink: Discovered in 2002 on an island in Fiordland.
* Mount Benson gecko/split rostral gecko, found in the Kahurangi National Park, in 2002, and 2003.
* Moke Valley gecko: Discovered in the South Island high country in 2002.
- NZPA
