Skinks Of Brazil
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Skinks are
lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia alt ...
s belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, the family Scincidae is one of the most diverse families of lizards. Skinks are characterized by their smaller legs in comparison to typical lizards and are found in different habitats except arctic and subarctic regions.


Description

Skinks look like lizards of the family
Lacertidae The Lacertidae are the family (biology), family of the wall lizards, true lizards, or sometimes simply lacertas, which are native to Afro-Eurasia. It is a diverse family with at least 300 species in 39 genera. They represent the dominant group o ...
(sometimes called ''true lizards''), but most species of skinks have no pronounced neck and relatively small legs. Several genera (e.g., '' Typhlosaurus'') have no limbs at all. This is not true for all skinks, however, as some species such as the
red-eyed crocodile skink ''Tribolonotus gracilis'', commonly known as the red-eyed crocodile skink, is a species of skink that is sometimes kept as an exotic pet. The species is endemic to New Guinea, where it lives in a tropical rainforest habitat. It was first desc ...
have a head that is very distinguished from the body. These lizards also have legs that are relatively small proportional to their body size. Skinks' skulls are covered by substantial bony scales, usually matching up in shape and size, while overlapping. Other genera, such as '' Neoseps'', have reduced limbs and fewer than five toes (
digit Digit may refer to: Mathematics and science * Numerical digit, as used in mathematics or computer science ** Hindu-Arabic numerals, the most common modern representation of numerical digits * Digit (anatomy), the most distal part of a limb, such ...
s) on each foot. In such species, their locomotion resembles that of snakes more than that of lizards with well-developed limbs. As a general rule, the longer the digits, the more arboreal the species is likely to be. A biological ratio can determine the ecological niche of a given skink species. The Scincidae ecological niche index (SENI) is a ratio based on anterior foot length at the junction of the ulna/radius-carpal bones to the longest digit divided by the snout-to-vent length. Most species of skinks have long, tapering tails they can shed if predators grab onto them. Such species generally can regenerate the lost part of a tail, though imperfectly. A lost tail can grow back within around three to four months. Species with stumpy tails have no special regenerative abilities. Some species of skinks are quite small; '' Scincella lateralis'' typically ranges from , more than half of which is the tail. Most skinks, though, are medium-sized, with snout-to-vent lengths around , although some grow larger; the Solomon Islands skink (''Corucia zebrata'') is the largest known extant species and may attain a snout-to-vent length of some . Skinks can often hide easily in their habitat because of their protective colouring (camouflage).


Blood color

Skinks in the genus ''
Prasinohaema ''Prasinohaema'' (Greek: "green blood") is a genus of skinks characterized by having green blood. This condition is caused by an excess buildup of the bile pigment biliverdin. ''Prasinohaema'' species have plasma biliverdin concentrations appr ...
'' have green blood because of a buildup of the waste product
biliverdin Biliverdin (latin for green bile) is a green tetrapyrrolic bile pigment, and is a product of heme catabolism.Boron W, Boulpaep E. Medical Physiology: a cellular and molecular approach, 2005. 984-986. Elsevier Saunders, United States. It is the pi ...
.


History

The word "skink", which entered the English language around 1580–90, comes from classical Greek ''skinkos'' and Latin ''scincus'', names that referred to various specific lizards. Skink-like lizards first appear in the fossil record about 140 million years ago, during the early Cretaceous, mostly in the form of jawbones that appear very skink-like. Definitive skink fossils appear later, during the Miocene period. Skink genera known from fossils include the following:


Behavior

A trait apparent in many species of skink is digging and burrowing. Many spend their time underground where they are mostly safe from predators, sometimes even digging out tunnels for easy navigation. They also use their tongues to sniff the air and track their prey. When they encounter their prey, they chase it down until they corner it or manage to land a bite and then swallow it whole. They can be voracious hunters.


Diet

Skinks are generally
carnivorous A carnivore , or meat-eater (Latin, ''caro'', genitive ''carnis'', meaning meat or "flesh" and ''vorare'' meaning "to devour"), is an animal or plant whose food and energy requirements derive from animal tissues (mainly muscle, fat and other sof ...
and in particular
insectivorous A robber fly eating a hoverfly An insectivore is a carnivorous animal or plant that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which can also refer to the human practice of eating insects. The first vertebrate insectivores were ...
. Typical prey include flies,
cricket Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striki ...
s,
grasshopper Grasshoppers are a group of insects belonging to the suborder Caelifera. They are among what is possibly the most ancient living group of chewing herbivorous insects, dating back to the early Triassic around 250 million years ago. Grasshopp ...
s, beetles, and
caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Sym ...
s. Various species also eat earthworms, millipedes,
centipede Centipedes (from New Latin , "hundred", and Latin , " foot") are predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda (Ancient Greek , ''kheilos'', lip, and New Latin suffix , "foot", describing the forcipules) of the subphylum Myriapoda, an ...
s, snails,
slug Slug, or land slug, is a common name for any apparently shell-less terrestrial gastropod mollusc. The word ''slug'' is also often used as part of the common name of any gastropod mollusc that has no shell, a very reduced shell, or only a smal ...
s,
isopod Isopoda is an order of crustaceans that includes woodlice and their relatives. Isopods live in the sea, in fresh water, or on land. All have rigid, segmented exoskeletons, two pairs of antennae, seven pairs of jointed limbs on the thorax, an ...
s ( woodlice etc), moths, small lizards (including
gecko Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from . Geckos ar ...
s), and small rodents. Some species, particularly those favored as home pets, are omnivorous and have more varied diets and can be maintained on a regimen of roughly 60% vegetables/leaves/fruit and 40% meat (insects and rodents). Both species of the Genus Tristiidon are mainly frugivorous, but occasionally eat moss and insects.


Breeding

Although most species of skinks are
oviparous Oviparous animals are animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive method of most fish, amphibians, most reptiles, and all pterosaurs, dinosaurs (including birds), and ...
, laying eggs in clutches, some 45% of skink species are viviparous in one sense or another. Many species are ovoviviparous, the young (skinklets) developing lecithotrophically in eggs that hatch inside the mother's reproductive tract, and emerging as live births. In some genera, however, such as '' Tiliqua'' and ''
Corucia The Solomon Islands skink (''Corucia zebrata''), also known as prehensile-tailed skink, monkey-tailed skink, giant skink, zebra skink, and monkey skink, is an arboreal species of skink endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago. It is the larg ...
'', the young developing in the reproductive tract derive their nourishment from a mammal-like placenta attached to the female – unambiguous examples of viviparous matrotrophy. Furthermore, an example recently described in ''
Trachylepis ''Trachylepis'' is a skink genus in the subfamily Mabuyinae found mainly in Africa. Its members were formerly included in the "wastebin taxon" ''Mabuya'', and for some time in '' Euprepis''. As defined today, ''Trachylepis'' contains the clade ...
ivensi'' is the most extreme to date: a purely reptilian placenta directly comparable in structure and function, to a eutherian placenta. Clearly, such vivipary repeatedly has developed independently in the evolutionary history of the Scincidae and the different examples are not ancestral to the others. In particular, placental development of whatever degree in lizards is
phylogenetically In biology, phylogenetics (; from Greek φυλή/ φῦλον [] "tribe, clan, race", and wikt:γενετικός, γενετικός [] "origin, source, birth") is the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among or within groups o ...
analogous, rather than
homologous Homology may refer to: Sciences Biology *Homology (biology), any characteristic of biological organisms that is derived from a common ancestor *Sequence homology, biological homology between DNA, RNA, or protein sequences * Homologous chrom ...
, to functionally similar processes in mammals.


Nesting

Skinks typically seek out environments protected from the elements, such as thick foliage, underneath man-made structures, and ground-level buildings such as garages and first-floor apartments. When two or more skinks are seen in a small area, it is typical to find a nest nearby. Skinks are considered to be territorial and often are seen standing in front of or "guarding" their nest area. If a nest is nearby, one can expect to see 10-30 lizards within the period of a month. In parts of the southern United States, nests are commonly found in houses and apartments, especially along the coast. The nest is where the skink lays its small white eggs, up to 4-8 at a time.


Habitat

Skinks are very specific in their habitat as some can depend on vegetation while others may depend on land and the soil. As a family, skinks are
cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan may refer to: Food and drink * Cosmopolitan (cocktail), also known as a "Cosmo" History * Rootless cosmopolitan, a Soviet derogatory epithet during Joseph Stalin's anti-Semitic campaign of 1949–1953 Hotels and resorts * Cosmopoli ...
; species occur in a variety of habitats worldwide, apart from
boreal Boreal may refer to: Climatology and geography *Boreal (age), the first climatic phase of the Blytt-Sernander sequence of northern Europe, during the Holocene epoch *Boreal climate, a climate characterized by long winters and short, cool to mild ...
and polar regions. Various species occur in ecosystems ranging from deserts and mountains to grasslands. Many species are good burrowers. More species are terrestrial or
fossorial A fossorial () animal is one adapted to digging which lives primarily, but not solely, underground. Some examples are badgers, naked mole-rats, clams, meerkats, and mole salamanders, as well as many beetles, wasps, and bees. Prehistoric eviden ...
(burrowing) than arboreal (tree-climbing) or aquatic species. Some are "sand swimmers", especially the desert species, such as the
mole skink ''Plestiodon egregius'', the mole skink, is a species of small lizard endemic to the Southeastern United States. Taxonomy The species is subdivided into five subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies: *Florida Keys mole skink, ''P. e ...
or sand skink in Florida. Some use a very similar action in moving through grass tussocks. Most skinks are diurnal (day-active) and typically bask on rocks or logs during the day.


Predators

Raccoons,
fox Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush''). Twelve sp ...
es,
possums Possum may refer to: Animals * Phalangeriformes, or possums, any of a number of arboreal marsupial species native to Australia, New Guinea, and Sulawesi ** Common brushtail possum (''Trichosurus vulpecula''), a common possum in Australian urban a ...
, snakes, coatis, crows, cats, dogs,
heron The herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 72 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genera ''Botaurus'' and ''Ixobrychus ...
s,
hawk Hawks are bird of prey, birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. They are widely distributed and are found on all continents except Antarctica. * The subfamily Accipitrinae includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, sharp-shinned hawks and others. Th ...
s,
lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia alt ...
s, and other predators of small land vertebrates also prey on various skinks. This can be troublesome, given the long gestation period for some skinks, making them an easy target to predators such as the mongoose, which often threaten the species to at least near extinction, such as the Anguilla Bank skink. Invasive rodents are a major threat to skinks that have been overlooked, especially tropical skinks. Skinks are also hunted for food by indigenous peoples in New Guinea, including by the Kalam people in the highlands of Madang Province, Papua New Guinea.Bulmer, RNH (1975)
Kalam Classification Of Reptiles And Fishes
''Journal of the Polynesian Society'' 84(3): 267–308.


Genetics


Genomic architecture

Despite making up 15% of reptiles, skinks have a relatively conserved chromosome number, between 11 and 16 pairs. Skink genomes are typically about 1.5Gb, approximately 1/2 the size of the human genome. The Christmas Island blue-tailed skink (''Cryptoblepharus egeriae'') was sequenced in 2022 and represents the first skink reference genome.


Sex determination systems

Skinks were long thought to have both genetic sex determination (GSD) and temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Despite having sex chromosomes that are not distinguishable with a microscope, all major skink lineages share an old XY system that is >80 million years old. This region is highly divergent and contains
chromosomal rearrangements A chromosome is a long DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism. In most chromosomes the very long thin DNA fibers are coated with packaging proteins; in eukaryotic cells the most important of these proteins are ...
.


Genera

Many genera, ''
Mabuya ''Mabuya'' is a genus of long-tailed skinks restricted to species from various Caribbean islands. They are primarily carnivorous, though many are omnivorous. The genus is viviparous, having a highly evolved placenta that resembles that of eutheri ...
'' for example, are still insufficiently studied, and their
systematics Biological systematics is the study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time. Relationships are visualized as evolutionary trees (synonyms: cladograms, phylogenetic tre ...
are at times controversial, see for example the taxonomy of the
western skink The western skink ''(Plestiodon skiltonianus)'' is a species of small, smooth- scaled lizard with relatively small limbs. It measures about 100 to 210 mm (about 4 to 8.25 inches) in total length (body + tail). It is one of seven species of l ...
, ''Eumeces skiltonianus''. ''Mabuya'' in particular, is being split, many species being allocated to new genera such as ''
Trachylepis ''Trachylepis'' is a skink genus in the subfamily Mabuyinae found mainly in Africa. Its members were formerly included in the "wastebin taxon" ''Mabuya'', and for some time in '' Euprepis''. As defined today, ''Trachylepis'' contains the clade ...
'', ''
Chioninia __NOTOC__ ''Chioninia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the subfamily Lygosominae. For long, this genus was included in the "wastebin taxon" ''Mabuya''. The genus ''Chioninia'' contains the Cape Verde mabuyas. Description Species in the genus ' ...
'', and '' Eutropis''. Subfamily
Acontinae Acontinae is a subfamily of limbless skinks within the family Scincidae. Genera The subfamily Acontinae contains 2 genera. * ''Acontias'' (26 species) * ''Typhlosaurus ''Typhlosaurus'' is a genus of African lizards, one of a number of gener ...
(limbless skinks; 30 species in 2 genera) * ''
Acontias ''Acontias'' is a genus of limbless skinks, the lance skinks, (family Scincidae) in the African subfamily Acontinae.Branch 2004. Most are small animals, but the largest member of the genus is ''Acontias plumbeus'' at approximately snout-ven ...
'' (25 species) * '' Typhlosaurus'' (5 species) Subfamily
Egerniinae Egerniinae is the subfamily of social skinks within the family Scincidae. The genera in this subfamily were previously found to belong the ''Egernia'' group in the large subfamily Lygosominae. Genera The subfamily Egerniinae contains 63 species ...
(social skinks; 63 species in 9 genera) * ''
Bellatorias ''Bellatorias'' is a genus of skinks. Species are endemic to Australia. Species were previously placed in the genus ''Egernia''. Species The following 3 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Bellato ...
'' (3 species) * ''
Corucia The Solomon Islands skink (''Corucia zebrata''), also known as prehensile-tailed skink, monkey-tailed skink, giant skink, zebra skink, and monkey skink, is an arboreal species of skink endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago. It is the larg ...
'' (1 species) * '' Cyclodomorphus'' (9 species) * '' Egernia'' (17 species) * ''
Liopholis ''Liopholis'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. Species of the genus are found in the Australian region. They were previously placed in the genus ''Egernia''. Description ''Liopholis'' are smallish to largish-sized skinks. ...
'' (12 species) * ''
Lissolepis ''Lissolepis'' is a genus of mid-sized skinks (adult snout-vent length 100–130 mm) with a bulky angular body and small eyes. 20–28 rows of midbody scales; dorsal scales smooth. The nasal scale has a postnarial groove; the subocular scale ...
'' (2 species) * '' Tiliqua'' (7 species) * ''
Tribolonotus ''Tribolonotus'' is a genus of lizards, commonly known as crocodile skinks. Geographic range Species in the genus ''Tribolonotus'' are found in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Solomon Islands. Species The genus includes the foll ...
'' (10 species) Subfamily Eugongylinae (eugongylid skinks; 455 species in 50 genera) * ''
Ablepharus ''Ablepharus'' is a genus of skinks that contains the common snake-eyed skinks. Both their scientific and common names refer to the fact that their eyelids have fused to a translucent capsule; as in snakes, they thus are physically incapable of b ...
'' (18 species) * ''
Acritoscincus ''Acritoscincus'' is a genus of Australian skinks ( family Scincidae). It belongs to the '' Eugongylus'' group; the genus '' Oligosoma'' appears to be a fairly close relative. An alternative name is ''Bassiana''. Species *''Acritoscincus duperr ...
'' (3 species) * '' Alpinoscincus'' (2 species) * '' Anepischetosia'' (1 species) * '' Austroablepharus'' (3 species) * '' Caesoris'' (1 species) * ''
Caledoniscincus ''Caledoniscincus'' is a genus of lizards in the family Scincidae (skinks). The genus is endemic to New Caledonia. Species The following 14 species are recognized as being valid: *'' Caledoniscincus aquilonius'' - northern litter skink *'' C ...
'' (14 species) * '' Carinascincus'' (8 species) * '' Carlia'' (46 species) * '' Celatiscincus'' (2 species) * '' Cophoscincopus'' (4 species) * ''
Cryptoblepharus ''Cryptoblepharus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus contains at least 53 species. Taxonomy The genus ''Cryptoblepharus'' was established in 1834 by the zoologist Arend Friedrich August Wiegmann. The type spe ...
'' (53 species) * ''
Emoia ''Emoia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the subfamily Eugongylinae. The genus ''Emoia'' belongs to a group of genera mainly from the southwestern Pacific-Australian region. These small skinks are commonly known as emoias or skinks. Species ...
'' (78 species) * '' Epibator'' (3 species) * '' Eroticoscincus'' (1 species) * '' Eugongylus'' (5 species) * ''
Geomyersia ''Geomyersia'' is a small genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands.. www.reptile-database.org. Species and geographic ranges There are two species which are recog ...
'' (2 species) * '' Geoscincus'' (1 species) * '' Graciliscincus'' (1 species) * '' Harrisoniascincus'' (1 species) * '' Kanakysaurus'' (2 species) * '' Kuniesaurus'' (1 species) * '' Lacertaspis'' (5 species) * '' Lacertoides'' (1 specie) * '' Lampropholis'' (14 species) * ''
Leiolopisma ''Leiolopisma'' is a genus of skinks. Most species occur in the region of New Caledonia-New Zealand, and they are related to other genera from that general area, such as ''Emoia''; these and others form the ''Eugongylus'' group. One living and ...
'' (4 species) * '' Leptosiaphos'' (18 species) * '' Liburnascincus'' (4 species) * ''
Lioscincus ''Lioscincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to New Caledonia. Species There are two species that are recognized as being valid. *''Lioscincus steindachneri'' – white-lipped forest skink, Steind ...
'' (2 species) * ''
Lobulia ''Lobulia'' is a genus of skinks in the subfamily Eugongylinae. The genus ''Lobulia'' is endemic to New Guinea. Species There are 7 species: *'' Lobulia brongersmai'' ( Zweifel, 1972) - Brongersma's lobulia *'' Lobulia elegans'' (Boulenger, 1897 ...
'' (8 species) * '' Lygisaurus'' (14 species) * ''
Marmorosphax Marmorosphax, is a genus of skinks native to New Caledonia. Species Listed alphabetically by specific name.Menetia ''Menetia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The member species of the genus ''Menetia'' are endemic to Australia. They are ground-dwellers and live in open forests and open grasslands. Species The following six species a ...
'' (5 species) * ''
Morethia ''Morethia'' is a skink genus of the order Squamata, commonly called Morethia skinks or firetail skinks, found in Australia. Species Listed alphabetically by specific name.Nannoscincus ''Nannoscincus'' is a genus of small skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to New Caledonia. Species The following 12 species are recognized as being valid. *''Nannoscincus exos'' - northern ...
'' (12 species) * '' Nubeoscincus'' (2 species) * '' Oligosoma'' (53 species) * ''
Panaspis ''Panaspis'' is a genus of skinks, commonly called lidless skinks or snake-eyed skinks, endemic to Sub-saharan Africa. Species The following 21 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Panaspis afri ...
'' (21 species) * '' Phaeoscincus'' (2 species) * '' Phasmasaurus'' (2 species) * '' Phoboscincus'' (2 species) * ''
Proablepharus ''Proablepharus'' is a genus of lizards in the subfamily Eugongylinae of the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Australia. Species Two species are recognized as being valid. www.reptile-database.org. *'' Proablepharus reginae'' ( Glauer ...
'' (2 species) * ''
Pseudemoia ''Pseudemoia'' is a genus of skinks native to southeastern Australia. For similar skinks see genera ''Bassiana'', ''Lampropholis'', and ''Niveoscincus''. Reproduction At least in ''P. entrecasteauxii'', ''P. pagenstecheri'', and ''P. spenceri'', ...
'' (6 species) * ''
Pygmaeascincus ''Pygmaeascincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. All member species are endemic to Australia. Species The following three species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Pygmaeascinc ...
'' (3 species) * '' Saproscincus'' (12 species) * ''
Sigaloseps ''Sigaloseps'' is a genus of skinks which inhabit the moist, closed forest of southern New Caledonia. Conservation status There is some conservation concern for ''Sigaloseps'' because of mining activity taking place in the region. Species The ...
'' (6 species) * '' Simiscincus'' (1 species) * ''
Tachygia The Tonga ground skink (''Tachygyia microlepis'') is an extinct species of skink endemic to the island of Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago ...
'' (1 species) * '' Techmarscincus'' (1 species) * ''
Tropidoscincus ''Tropidoscincus'' is a genus of skink. They are all endemic to New Caledonia. Classification *'' Tropidoscincus aubrianus'' Bocage, 1873 – Aubrey's whiptailed skink *'' Tropidoscincus boreus'' Sadlier & Bauer, 2000 – northern whiptailed ski ...
'' (3 species) Subfamily Lygosominae (lygosomid skinks; 56 species in 6 genera) * ''
Haackgreerius ''Haackgreerius'' is a genus of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. Etymology The generic name, ''Haackgreerius'', is in honor of South African herpetologist Wulf Dietrich Haacke and Australian herpetologist Allen E. Greer. Beolens B, W ...
'' (1 species) * ''
Lamprolepis ''Lamprolepis'' is a genus of lizards, known commonly as emerald skinks, in the subfamily Lygosominae of the family Scincidae. ''Lygosoma'' is its closest genetic relative.Charles W. Linkem, Rafe M. Brown, Cameron D. Siler, Ben J. Evans, Chr ...
'' (3 species) * ''
Lygosoma ''Lygosoma'' is a genus of lizards, commonly known as supple skinks or writhing skinks, which are members of the family Scincidae. ''Lygosoma'' is the type genus of the subfamily Lygosominae. The common name, writhing skinks, refers to the wa ...
'' (16 species) * ''
Mochlus ''Mochlus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Africa. Description Skinks of the genus ''Mochlus'' are cylindrical in shape and robust. They get the common name "writhing skinks" from the side-to-si ...
'' (18 species) * ''
Riopa ''Riopa'' is a genus of skinks. It is easy to tell the species apart from most other skinks by bright red coloring on their sides from which they get their name. They also have a bule that runs down the side of their tail. Diet The riopas are o ...
'' (9 species) * ''
Subdoluseps ''Subdoluseps'' is a genus of skinks. They were all previously found in the genus '' Lygosoma''. Species The following species are recognized as being valid. www.reptile-database.org. *''Subdoluseps bowringii'' ( Günther, 1864) – Christmas I ...
'' (8 species) Subfamily Mabuyinae (mabuyid skinks; 25 genera) * ''
Alinea Alinea may refer to: * Alinea (restaurant) in Chicago * In several languages : an indenting or a pilcrow The pilcrow, ¶, is a handwritten or typographical character used to identify a paragraph. It is also called the paragraph ma ...
'' (2 species) * '' Aspronema'' (2 species) * '' Brasiliscincus'' (3 species) * ''
Capitellum In human anatomy of the arm, the capitulum of the humerus is a smooth, rounded eminence on the lateral portion of the distal articular surface of the humerus. It articulates with the cupshaped depression on the head of the radius, and is limite ...
'' (3 species) * ''
Chioninia __NOTOC__ ''Chioninia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the subfamily Lygosominae. For long, this genus was included in the "wastebin taxon" ''Mabuya''. The genus ''Chioninia'' contains the Cape Verde mabuyas. Description Species in the genus ' ...
'' (7 species) * ''
Copeoglossum ''Copeoglossum'' is a genus of skinks. They were previously placed in the genus ''Mabuya''. Species The following five species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Copeoglossum arajara'' (Reboucas-Spieker ...
'' (5 species) * '' Dasia'' (10 species) * ''
Eumecia ''Eumecia'' is a genus of skinks found in Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. These include West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and ...
'' (2 species) * '' Eutropis'' (49 species) * '' Exila'' (1 species) * ''
Heremites ''Heremites'' is a genus of skinks. Species The following 3 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Heremites auratus'' (Linnaeus, 1758) – levant skink, golden grass mabuya, golden grass skink *'' ...
'' (3 species) * '' Lubuya'' (1 species) * ''
Mabuya ''Mabuya'' is a genus of long-tailed skinks restricted to species from various Caribbean islands. They are primarily carnivorous, though many are omnivorous. The genus is viviparous, having a highly evolved placenta that resembles that of eutheri ...
'' (9 species) * '' Manciola'' (1 species) * '' Maracaiba'' (2 species) * ''
Marisora ''Marisora'' is a genus of skinks. They are found in Mexico, Central America and some Caribbean islands. Species The following 13 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Marisora alliacea'' (Cope, 1 ...
'' (13 species) * '' Notomabuya'' (1 species) * ''
Otosaurus ''Otosaurus cumingii'', commonly called Cuming's sphenomorphus or the Luzon giant forest skink, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Philippines. Etymology The specific name Specific name may r ...
'' (1 species) * ''
Panopa ''Panopa'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. Member species are found in Brazil and Venezuela. Species The following two species, listed alphabetically by Specific name (zoology), specific name, are recogni ...
'' (2 species) * ''
Psychosaura ''Psychosaura'' is a genus of skinks. Both species are endemic to Brazil. Species The following 2 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Psychosaura agmosticha'' (Rodrigues, 2000) *'' Psychosaura ma ...
'' (2 species) * '' Spondylurus'' (17 species) * '' Toenayar'' (1 species) * ''
Trachylepis ''Trachylepis'' is a skink genus in the subfamily Mabuyinae found mainly in Africa. Its members were formerly included in the "wastebin taxon" ''Mabuya'', and for some time in '' Euprepis''. As defined today, ''Trachylepis'' contains the clade ...
'' (87 species) * '' Varzea'' (2 species) * ''
Vietnascincus ''Vietnascincus'' is a genus of skinks. It contains one species, ''Vietnascincus rugosus'', which is endemic to Vietnam Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in So ...
'' (1 species) Subfamily Sphenomorphinae (sphenomorphid skinks; 591 species in 41 genera) * ''
Anomalopus ''Anomalopus'' is a genus of worm-skinks, smallish smooth-scaled burrowing lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to the eastern half of Australia. The genus belongs to a clade in the ''Sphenomorphus'' group which contains such ge ...
'' (4 species) * ''
Calorodius The Thornton Peak calyptotis or Thornton Peak skink (''Calorodius thorntonensis'') is a species of skink found in Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in ...
'' (1 species) * ''
Calyptotis ''Calyptotis'' is a genus of skinks, a type of lizard, found in Australia. Species The following four species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversit ...
'' (4 species) * '' Coeranoscincus'' (2 species) * '' Coggeria'' (1 species) * '' Concinnia'' (7 species) * ''
Ctenotus ''Ctenotus'' is a genus of skinks (family Scincidae). The genus belongs to a clade in the ''Sphenomorphus'' group which contains such genera as '' Anomalopus'' and the close relatives '' Eulamprus'' and '' Gnypetoscincus''. Lizards in the genus ...
'' (103 species) * '' Eremiascincus'' (15 species) * ''
Eulamprus ''Eulamprus'' is a genus of lizards, commonly known as water skinks, in the subfamily Sphenomorphinae of the family Scincidae. The genus is native to Australia. Taxonomy The genus ''Eulamprus'' belongs to a clade in the ''Sphenomorphus'' grou ...
'' (5 species) * ''
Fojia ''Fojia'' is a monotypic genus of skinks: the sole species is ''Fojia bumui'', also known as the fojia skink. It is endemic to New Guinea where it is restricted to the Morobe Province on the northern coast of Papua New Guinea Papua Ne ...
'' (1 species) * ''
Glaphyromorphus ''Glaphyromorphus'' is a genus of lizards in the skink family ( Scincidae)."''Glaphyromorphus'' ". Wikispecies. species.wikimedia.org. Geographic range Species in the genus ''Glaphyromorphus'' are found in Australia and New Guinea.. www.reptile ...
'' (11 species) * '' Gnypetoscincus'' (1 species) * '' Hemiergis'' (7 species) * ''
Insulasaurus ''Insulasaurus'' is a genus of skinks. They are all endemic to the Philippines. Species The following four species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid: *'' Insulasaurus arborens'' (Taylor, 1917) *'' Insulasau ...
'' (4 species) * '' Isopachys'' (4 species) * '' Kaestlea'' (5 species) * '' Lankascincus'' (10 species) * ''
Larutia ''Larutia'' is a small genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biol ...
'' (9 species) * '' Leptoseps'' (2 species) * '' Lerista'' (97 species) * ''
Lipinia ''Lipinia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. Species in the genus ''Lipinia'' are commonly called lipinias. Taxonomy The genus ''Lipinia'' belongs to the ''Sphenomorphus'' group of genera in which ''Lipinia'' has a rat ...
'' (28 species) * '' Nangura'' (1 species) * '' Notoscincus'' (2 species) * '' Ophioscincus'' (3 species) * ''
Ornithuroscincus ''Ornithuroscincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. All but one species are endemic to New Guinea: in addition to northern New Guinea, ''Ornithuroscincus noctua'' occurs on many Pacific islands. Taxonomy The genus ''Orni ...
'' (9 species) * '' Orosaura'' (1 species) * '' Palaia'' (1 species) * ''
Papuascincus ''Papuascincus'' is a genus of skinks endemic to New Guinea."''Papuascincus'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. Species The following 4 species are recognized as being valid: *'' Papuascincus buergersi'' ( T. Vogt, 1932) *'' P ...
'' (4 species) * ''
Parvoscincus ''Parvoscincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to the Philippines. Description Species in the genus ''Parvoscincus'' are small to moderately sized skinks; the maximum snout-vent length (SVL) range ...
'' (24 species) * ''
Pinoyscincus ''Pinoyscincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. All species in the genus are endemic to the Philippines. Species in this genus were previously assigned to the genus ''Sphenomorphus''. Species The following five species, ...
'' (5 species) * '' Praeteropus'' (4 species) * ''
Prasinohaema ''Prasinohaema'' (Greek: "green blood") is a genus of skinks characterized by having green blood. This condition is caused by an excess buildup of the bile pigment biliverdin. ''Prasinohaema'' species have plasma biliverdin concentrations appr ...
'' (5 species) * ''
Protoblepharus ''Protoblepharus'' is a genus of skinks. Species The following 3 species are recognized as being valid."''Protoblepharus'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. *'' Protoblepharus apatani'' *'' Protoblepharus medogensis'' *'' Pr ...
'' (3 species) * '' Ristella'' (4 species) * '' Saiphos'' (1 species) * ''
Scincella ''Scincella'' is a genus of lizards in the skink family, Scincidae, commonly referred to as ground skinks. The exact number of species in the genus is unclear, as taxonomic reclassification is ongoing, and sources vary widely. ''Scincella'' ...
'' (38 species) * ''
Sepsiscus The Cape York worm-skink (''Sepsiscus pluto'') is a species of skink Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, ...
'' (1 species) * ''
Silvascincus ''Silvascincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. Both species in the genus are endemic to Australia. They were previously placed in the genus '' Eulamprus''. Species The following two species, listed alphabetically by sp ...
'' (2 species) * '' Sphenomorphus'' (113 species) * ''
Tropidophorus ''Tropidophorus'' is a genus of semiaquatic lizards in the skink family (Scincidae), found in Indochina, Borneo, Sulawesi, and the Philippines. They are sometimes known as water skinks or waterside skinks.SeIUCN searchresults for ''Tropidopho ...
'' (29 species) * '' Tumbunascincus'' (1 species) * ''
Tytthoscincus ''Tytthoscincus'' is a genus of skinks. Originally defined to include a few species from the Philippines, the genus now includes many species from South-East Asia in general. Description ''Tytthoscincus'' are small skinks, usually less than in ...
'' (23 species) Subfamily Scincinae (typical skinks; 294 species in 35 genera) * '' Amphiglossus'' (2 species) * '' Ateuchosaurus'' (2 species) * ''
Barkudia ''Barkudia'' is a little-known genus of skinks endemic to India. These lizards are thought to be semi-fossorial, and living in coastal areas of the east coast of India. Almost nothing is known about the natural history of this genus, except for c ...
'' (2 species) * ''
Brachymeles ''Brachymeles'' is a genus of skinks ( lizards in the family Scincidae). The majority of the species within the genus are endemic to certain island ecosystems in the Philippines. In 2018, the Zoological Society of London through its EDGE of Exis ...
'' (42 species) * '' Brachyseps'' (8 species) * ''
Chalcides ''Chalcides'' is a genus of skinks (family Scincidae). It is usually placed in the subfamily Scincinae (= Scincidae ''sensu'' Hedges 2014), a monophyletic clade of primarily African skinks. Species The following species are recognized as bei ...
'' (32 species) * '' Chalcidoseps'' (1 species) * '' Eumeces'' (6 species) * '' Eurylepis'' (2 species) * ''
Feylinia ''Feylinia'' is a genus of skinks (family Scincidae). It is usually placed in the monotypic subfamily Feylininae. However, it appears to be not as distinct as formerly presumed, but rather somewhat closer to such genera as '' Chalcides'' and ...
'' (6 species) * ''
Flexiseps ''Flexiseps'' is a genus of skinks. They are all endemic to Madagascar. Some taxonomic authorities place the group in the genus Amphiglossus. Species The following 15 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being vali ...
'' (15 species) * ''
Gongylomorphus ''Gongylomorphus'' is a genus of skinks found in Mauritius Mauritius ( ; french: Maurice, link=no ; mfe, label=Mauritian Creole, Moris ), officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about off the southea ...
'' (3 species) * ''
Grandidierina ''Grandidierina'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar. Species The following four species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being valid. *'' Grandidierina fierinens ...
'' (4 species) * '' Hakaria'' (1 species) * '' Janetaescincus'' (2 species) * ''
Jarujinia ''Jarujinia'' is a genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and bel ...
'' (1 species) * ''
Madascincus ''Madascincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar. Some taxonomic authorities place the group in the genus ''Amphiglossus''. Species The following 12 species, listed alphabetically by spec ...
'' (12 species) * ''
Melanoseps ''Melanoseps'' is a genus of lizards, known commonly as limbless skinks, in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. Species The following eight species are recognized as being valid. *'' Melanoseps ater'' – black ...
'' (8 species) * '' Mesoscincus'' (3 species) * '' Nessia'' (9 species) * ''
Ophiomorus ''Ophiomorus'' is a genus of Old World skinks. www.reptile-database.org. The limbs are either reduced or absent, depending on the species. They are sometimes known as limbless skinks or snake skinks. Members of the genus live under rocks or in b ...
'' (12 species) * ''
Pamelaescincus Gardiner's burrowing skink (''Pamelaescincus gardineri'') is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. ''P. gardineri'' is the only species in the (monotypic) skink genus ''Pamelaescincus''. Etymology The generic name, ''Pamelaescincus'', ...
'' (1 species) * '' Paracontias'' (14 species) * ''
Plestiodon ''Plestiodon'' is a genus of lizards in the family Scincidae (skinks). The genus contains many species formerly classified under the genus ''Eumeces'', except those now placed in ''Mesoscincus''. They are secretive, agile animals with a cylindr ...
'' (50 species) * '' Proscelotes'' (3 species) * ''
Pseudoacontias ''Pseudoacontias'' is genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. Geographic range The genus ''Pseudoacontias'' is Endemism, endemic to Madagascar. Description All species of ''Pseudoacontias'' are large, fossorial skink ...
'' (4 species) * ''
Pygomeles ''Pygomeles'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar. Classification There are three species that are recognized as being valid. *'' Pygomeles braconnieri'' – Braconnier's short skink *'' Py ...
'' (3 species) * ''
Scelotes ''Scelotes'' is a genus of small African skinks. Species The following 21 species are recognized as being valid. www.reptile-database.org *'' Scelotes anguinus'' ( Boulenger, 1887) – Algoa dwarf burrowing skink, Boulenger's burrowing skink, ...
'' (22 species) * '' Scincopus'' (1 species) * '' Scincus'' (5 species) * ''
Scolecoseps ''Scolecoseps'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to East Africa. Species Genus ''Scolecoseps'' contains four species.. www.reptile-database.org. *'' Scolecoseps acontias'' – sandy limbless skink ...
'' (4 species) * ''
Sepsina ''Sepsina'' is a genus of skinks (family Scincidae). The genus is endemic to southern Africa. Taxonomy This genus is presently placed in the subfamily Scincinae, a subfamily which seems to be paraphyletic however. ''Sepsina'' belongs to a ma ...
'' (5 species) * ''
Sepsophis The spotted Eastern Ghats skink (''Sepsophis punctatus'') is a species of skink. It endemic to India and known from its type locality in Andhra Pradesh (Darakondah, Golconda Hills, then Madras Presidency) and from Odissa Odisha (English: ...
'' (1 species) * '' Typhlacontias'' (7 species) * ''
Voeltzkowia ''Voeltzkowia'' is a genus of skinks. Geographic range The genus ''Voeltzkowia'' is endemic to Madagascar. Species Three species are recognized as being valid."''Voeltzkowia'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. *'' Voeltzkowia m ...
'' (3 species)


Gallery

Female Skink with Eggs.JPG, Female skink with eggs Indian Skink.jpg, Indian skink Skink found in Sri Lanka.jpg, Skink found in Sri Lanka Skink in Aussie.jpg, Skink in Australia Eastern blue-tongued lizard - Tiliqua scincoides scincoides - 7.jpg, Eastern blue-tongued lizard Lizard Albany.jpg,
Land mullet The land mullet (''Bellatorias major'') is one of the largest members of the skink family ( Scincidae). Description The species may reach total lengths of up to 60 cm (23.6 inches). They are uniform glossy black to brown, with a paler ring ...
- Albany, Western Australia


References


Sources

* De Vosjoli, Philippe (1993) ''Prehensile-Tailed Skinks''. Advanced Vivarium Systems. * Hedges, S. Blair and Caitlin E. Conn. 2012. A new skink fauna from Caribbean islands (Squamata, Mabuyidae, Mabuyinae). Zootaxa 3288.


External links


Scincidae
a
The Reptile Database

Skink Gallery and Information


KingSnake.com (Wayback Machine) {{Authority control Taxa named by John Edward Gray Extant Paleocene first appearances