Added 24 February 2008.
The Scincidae
Lankascincus
A recently (1991) described genus composed partly of species formerly ascribed to Sphenomorphus. Further details will be added if and when we can obtain a copy of Allen Greer's 1991 paper.
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Distribution |
Size |
Notes |
Lankascincus |
L. deignani |
|
C Sri Lanka |
SVL 25-29 cm |
Scalation details: paired frontoparietals; prefrontals broadly in contact; nuchals absent. For further details of the type specimen, see Taylor. Dorsal scalation: dorsal scales each with two striations, in 24 rows at midbody. Ventral scalation: smooth. Other: ear opening large, tympanum deeply sunk; fingers and toes barely overlap when limbs adpressed. Coloration: numerous lateral scales with white spots; jaws strongly barred with black. For coloration of type specimen see Taylor. Reproduction: no details available. [SOURCE: Taylor] |
L. deraniyagalai |
|
Sri Lanka |
|
|
L. fallax |
|
C and S Sri Lanka |
SVL 3¾-4cm |
Taylor records finding this species in great numbers in a forest 20 miles from Trincomalee, together with an equal abundance of L. rufogulus. Scalation details: frontoparietals fused together to form single scale; frontal small; 1-2 anterior temporals; scales of 3rd pair of chinshields separated from each other by single scale and from labials by single scale. Dorsal scalation: smooth, in 26-28 rows at midbody. Other: 15-18 subdigital lamellae on 4th toe; ear opening about half diameter of eye; limbs meet or just narrowly fail to meet when adpressed. Coloration: dorsally brown with six dark longitudinal lines formed by dots. Dorsolateral area and neck dare dark brown, ventrolateral coloration not well defined; white spots may be present on sides of neck. Ventrally whitish; throat of adult male dark blue or purple. Reproduction: no details available. [SOURCE: Taylor] |
L. gansi |
|
Sri Lanka |
|
|
L. munindradasai |
|
Sri Lanka |
|
|
L. rufogulus |
|
Sri Lanka |
|
Considered a synonym of L. fallax by some authorities, eg Reptile Database. |
L. sripadensis |
|
Sri Lanka |
|
|
L. taprobanensis |
|
|
SVL 5½cm |
Found in mountainous areas. Scalation details: prefrontals in contact or separated; 2 subequal loreals present. Dorsal scalation: smooth, in 24-26 rows at midbody. Other: ear opening about half diameter of eye; limbs meet or just narrowly fail to meet when adpressed. Coloration: dorsally brown with six dark longitudinal lines formed by dots. Dorsolateral area and neck dare dark brown, ventrolateral coloration not well defined; white spots may be present on sides of neck. Ventrally whitish; throat of adult male dark blue or purple. Reproduction: no details available. [SOURCE: Taylor] |
L. taylori |
|
Sri Lanka |
|
|
Bibliography
Ceylonese Lizards of the Family Scincidae, Edward H Taylor, University of Kansas Science Bulletin, Vol XXXIII, Pt. II, March 20 1950.
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