A group of researchers published a paper about their discovery of a new species of Madagascar mermaid skink lizards last December. The species is the fourth forelimbs-only terrestrial tetrapods species known to science, and the first one which also has no fingers on the forelimbs.
The species was collected at Marosely, Boriziny (French: Port-Bergé), Sofia Region, Madagascar. The Sirenoscincus mobydick name is after the existing parent genus, and a sperm whale from the 1851 novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.
This week, Wikinews interviewed one of the researchers, French zoologist Aurélien Miralles, about the research.
((Wikinews))  What caused your initial interest in Madagascar lizards?
((WN))  How was the new species discovered?
((WN))  What does "Sirenoscincus" stand for?
((WN))  How deep underground do the lizards live?
((WN))  What do the lizards eat?
((WN))  What equipment was used during the research?
((WN))  There are several news sources that have a photo of the species. Is it a photo as seen in a CT-scan?
((WN))  Do you know when the newly discovered mermaid skink species was put into the jar? Do you have its photo (of the jar)?
((WN))  What were the roles of the people involved in the research? What activity was most time-consuming?
((WN))  Did you get in touch with an external entity to get the new species officially recognised?
((WN))  Are there any further plans on exploring the species habitat and lifestyle?

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Wikinews interviews Aurélien Miralles about Sirenoscincus mobydick species discovery