Anomalopus swansoni

Anomalopus swansoni
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Scinciformata
Infraorder:	Scincomorpha
Family:	Sphenomorphidae
Genus:	Anomalopus
Species:	A. swansoni
Binomial name
Anomalopus swansoni Greer & Cogger, 1985

Anomalopus swansoni, also known commonly as the punctate worm-skink or Swanson's burrowing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia. ^[2]

Etymology

The specific name, swansoni, is in honor of Australian herpetologist, Stephen Swanson. ^[3]

Geographic range

A. swansoni is found between the Hawkesbury River and the Hunter River in eastern New South Wales. ^[2]

Description

A. swansoni is pinkish-brown on top, with fine dark speckles, and a creamy-pink belly. ^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of A. swansoni are supralittoral zone, grassland, shrubland, and forest. ^[1]

Behaviour

A. swansoni shelters in soil, wood and rocks, and is rarely seen unless disturbed. ^[2]

Reproduction

A. swansoni is viviparous. ^[4]

References

1. Shea, G.; Cogger, H.; Greenlees, M. (2018). "Anomalopus swansoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018 e.T102965529A102965542. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T102965529A102965542.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. Griffiths, Ken (1987). Reptiles of the Sydney Region. Winmalee, New South Wales: Three Sisters Publications Pty Ltd. 120 pp. (Anomalopus swansoni, p. 68). ISBN   0-9590203-3-0.
3. Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Anomalopus swansoni, p. 258).
4. Species Anomalopus swansoni at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading

• Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN   978-0643100350.
• Greer AE, Cogger HG (1985). "Systematics of the Reduce-limbed and Limbless Skinks Currently Assigned to the Genus Anomalopus (Lacertilia: Scincidae)". Records of the Australian Museum37 (1): 11–54. (Anomalopus swansoni, new species, pp. 23–24 + Figures 9–12).
• Swanson, Stephen (1990). Lizards of Australia. Revised edition. HarperCollins (Australia). 162 pp. ISBN   978-0207153815.
• Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN   978-1921517280.