Neglected taxonomy and continuing extinctions of tuatara ( Sphenodon )

TAXONOMIC classification is a primary determinant of manage-ment priorities for endangered species. Neglect of distinct taxa may lead to their extinction, a problem exemplified by management of the New Zealand tuatara, Sphenodon , the only surviving genus of one order of reptiles. The pattern of genetic and morphological differentiation reported here supports a taxonomy dating from 1877 that identified two extant species, one subsequently separated into two subspecies. Tuatara were fully protected in 1895, but legislation and assessments of conservation status never acknow-ledged taxonomic differentiation, referring only to Sphenodon punctatus . Perceived monotypy of tuatara apparently forestalled management intervention on behalf of threatened populations, thus contributing to extinction of 10 of the 40 populations (25%) in the past century and the imminent extinction of four more. Iden-tification of diversity within tuatara warrants increased conserva-tion attention for the single populations of S. guntheri (here reinstated as a second living species) and the possibly extinct subspecies 5. p. reischeki .