Wednesday, November 16, 2016

[Herpetology • 2007] Lankascincus greeri • A New Species of Sri Lankan Litter Skink Genus Lankascincus (Squamata: Scincidae)


Lankascincus greeri 
Batuwita & Pethiyagoda, 2007 

Abstract

Lankascincus greeri, a new species of litter skink, is described from Sri Lanka. The new species, which is widely distributed throughout the rainforests of the south-western lowlands, is distinguished from all other members of this genus by the presence of paired frontoparietals; possessing 2 secondary temporals in contact with each other; and by having 42–45 paravertebrals, 18–21 subdigital lamellae on fourth digit of pes and a maximum SVL of 58.5 mm. A paratype of Sphenomorphus dorsicatenatus is rediscovered (the type series having long been considered lost) and assigned to Lankascincus.

Key words: Reptilia, Sphenomorphus, endemism, Ceylon, Lygosominae




Batuwita, Sudesh and Rohan Pethiyagoda. 2007. Description of New Species of Sri Lankan Litter Skink (Squamata: Scincidae: Lankascincus).
Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 36(2):80-87