Scincinae is a

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

of lizards. The subfamily contains 33

genera 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 below family. In binomial nomenclat ...

, and the genera contain a combined total of 284

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

, commonly called

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, the family Scincidae is one of the most diverse families of lizards. Ski ...

s. The systematics is at times controversial. The group is probably

paraphyletic In taxonomy (general), taxonomy, a group is paraphyletic if it consists of the group's most recent common ancestor, last common ancestor and most of its descendants, excluding a few Monophyly, monophyletic subgroups. The group is said to be pa ...

. It is one of three subfamilies of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Scincidae, the other two being

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 ...

and

Lygosominae Lygosominae is the largest subfamily of skinks in the family Scincidae. The subfamily can be divided into a number of genus groups. If the rarely used taxonomic rank of infrafamily is employed, the genus groups would be designated as such, but s ...

Genera

The subfamily Scincinae contains the following 35 genera, of which seven are

monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unispec ...

. *''

Amphiglossus ''Amphiglossus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. Taxonomy The genus ''Amphiglossus'' is usually placed in the subfamily Scincinae, which seems to be paraphyletic, however. Probably quite close to ''Paracontias'' and pos ...

'' (2 species) *''

Ateuchosaurus ''Ateuchosaurus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus contains only two species which are indigenous to East Asia and Southeast Asia. Taxonomy The genus ''Ateuchosaurus'' is usually placed in the subfamily Scincina ...

'' (2 species) *'' Barkudia'' (2 species) *'' Brachymeles'' (42 species) *''

Brachyseps ''Brachyseps'' is a genus of skinks. They are all endemic to Madagascar. Some taxonomic authorities place the group in the genus Amphiglossus. Species The following 8 species, listed alphabetically by specific name, are recognized as being va ...

'' (8 species) *'' Chalcides'' (32 species) *'' Chalcidoceps'' (monotypic) *''

Eumeces The genus ''Eumeces'' (family Scincidae) comprises four African to Middle-Eastern skink species. Systematics Recently two taxonomic revisions have been made regarding the 19th century genus ''Eumeces''. They both resulted in similar results; th ...

'' (6 species) *''

Eurylepis ''Eurylepis'' is a genus of skinks found in Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental land ...

'' (2 species) *'' Feylinia'' (6 species) *'' Flexiseps'' (15 species) *'' Gongylomorphus'' (monotypic) *'' Grandidierina'' (4 species) *''

Hakaria ''Hakaria'' is a genus of skink, a lizard in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus contains one species, ''Hakaria simonyi'', which is Endemism, endemic to Socotra. Etymology The Specific name (zoology), specific name, ''simonyi'', i ...

'' (monotypic) *''

Janetaescincus ''Janetaescincus'' is a genus of burrowing skinks (family Scincidae) endemic to the Seychelles. Etymology The generic name, ''Janetaescincus'', is in honor of Janet Greer, who is the younger of the two sisters of Australian herpetologist All ...

'' (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 ...

'' (monotypic) *'' Madascincus'' (12 species) *'' Melanoseps'' (8 species) *''

Mesoscincus ''Mesoscincus'' is a genus of lizards, comprising three species of skinks native to Mexico and Central America. The species were formerly included in the genus ''Eumeces''. Species *''Mesoscincus altamirani'' – Tepalcatepec skink – Mexico * ...

'' (3 species) *''

Nessia ''Nessia'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to Sri Lanka. Species in the genus ''Nessia'' are commonly known as snake skinks. Species The following nine species are recognize ...

'' (9 species) *'' Ophiomorus'' (12 species) *'' Pamelaescincus'' (monotypic) *''

Paracontias ''Paracontias'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar. Taxonomy and systematics ''Paracontias'' is usually placed in the subfamily Scincinae, which seems to be paraphyletic however. Probably ...

'' (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 ''Proscelotes'' is a genus of skinks. The genus is Endemism, endemic to Africa."''Proscelotes'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. Species The genus ''Proscelotes'' contains the following three species. *''Proscelotes aenea'' ...

'' (3 species) *'' Pseudoacontias'' (4 species) *''

Pygomeles ''Pygomeles'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to Madagascar. Classification There are three species that are recognized as being valid. *''Pygomeles braconnieri'' – Braco ...

'' (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'' (monotypic) * ''

Scincus ''Scincus'' is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus contains four or five species, all of which are typical desert inhabitants, living in sandy and dune-like areas with a hot and dry climate. Species in the genus ''Scinc ...

'' (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 (biology), family Scincidae). The genus is Endemism, endemic to southern Africa. Taxonomy This genus is presently placed in the subfamily Scincinae, a subfamily which seems to be Paraphyly, paraphyletic ...

'' (5 species) *'' Sepsophis'' (monotypic) *''

Typhlacontias ''Typhlacontias'' is a genus of legless, burrowing skinks in the family Scincidae, a genus endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. Its sister group is the clade consisting of the genera '' Feylinia'' and ''Melanoseps''. Species Seven species In ...

'' (7 species) *''

Voeltzkowia ''Voeltzkowia'' is a genus of skinks. Geographic range The genus ''Voeltzkowia'' is Endemism, endemic to Madagascar. Species Three species are recognized as being valid."''Voeltzkowia'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. *''Voel ...

'' (3 species)

References

External links

Zipcodezoo.com

jstage.jst.go.jp

JCVI.org
Skinks Taxa named by John Edward Gray {{Skink-stub