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.

  QUICK INDEX  
L. deignani L. deraniyagalai L. fallax
L. gansi L. munindradasai L. rufogulus
L. sripadensis L. taprobanensis L. taylor

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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