Lankascincus taprobanensis
{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{speciesbox
| status = EN
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Lankascincus
| species = taprobanensis
| authority = (Kelaart, 1854){{cite web |url=https://www.gbif.org/species/2463817 |title=Lankascincus taprobanensis Kelaart, 1854 |website=Global Biodiversity Information Facility |date=November 3, 2014 |author= |accessdate= April 3, 2015}}
| range_map = Lankascincus taprobanensis distribution.png
| synonyms = *Eumeces taprobanensis
{{small|Kelaart, 1854}}
- Lygosoma taprobanense
{{small|— Boulenger, 1887}} - Sphenomorphus taprobanense
{{small|— Taylor, 1953}} - Lankascincus taprobanensis
{{small|— Greer, 1991}}
}}
Lankascincus taprobanensis, also known commonly as the Ceylon tree skink and the smooth Lanka skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.{{cite web |url=http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Lankascincus&species=taprobanensis |title=Lankascincus taprobanensis |website=The Reptile Database |date= |author= |accessdate=April 3, 2015}}
Habitat and distribution
The smooth Lanka skink is found from {{convert|1000|to|2300|m}} above sea level, and is the only skink found at the {{convert|2300|m|adj=on}} elevation in Sri Lanka. It is common in the Horton Plains, Hakgala, Namunukula, and Nuwara Eliya.{{cite web |url=http://slendemics.net/easl/reps/SCINCIDAE.html |title=Endemic Scincid Lizards of Sri Lanka |website=Endemic Animals of Sri Lanka |date=2011 |author= |accessdate= April 3, 2015}}
Description
The body of L. taprobanensis is stout, and the length of the tail is 1.3 to 1.5 times that of the body. The fronto-parietals are distinct. The parietals are in narrow contact. There are 24 to 27 rows of scales at midbody. There are 9 to 17 lamellae under the fourth toe. The dorsum is gray, reddish brown, brownish yellow, or olive-colored. Each scale has a median dark spot. There is a brownish black lateral stripe with yellowish cream flecks running from the eye to the base of the tail. The venter is lemon yellow. The throat is pale blue with a few scattered dark spots. The Iris is very dark brown-colored.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}
Ecology and diet
Reproduction
An adult female of L. taprobanensis may lay one to two eggs, each measuring {{convert|7|by|12.5|mm}}, per clutch in loose soil. Hatchlings measure {{convert|19|mm}}.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. ... Scincidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Lygosoma taprobanense, pp. 319–320).
- Kelaart [EF] (1854). "Descriptions of new species of Ceylon Reptiles". Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Second Series 13: 407–408. (Eumeces taprobanensis, new species, p. 407).
- Somaweera R, Somaweera N (2009). Lizards of Sri Lanka, A Colour Guide with Field Keys. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Edition Chimaira / Serpents Tale. 304 pp. {{ISBN|978-3899734782}}.
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140717103725/http://www.arkive.org/ceylon-tree-skink/lankascincus-taprobanensis/ Photos of the smooth Lanka skink]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3217591}}
Category:Reptiles of Sri Lanka
Category:Endemic fauna of Sri Lanka
Category:Taxa named by Edward Frederick Kelaart
Category:Reptiles described in 1854
{{Sphenomorphinae-stub}}