Chalcides simonyi

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Chalcides simonyi
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Chalcides
Species:
C. simonyi
Binomial name
Chalcides simonyi
(Steindachner, 1891)
Chalcides simonyi distribution.png
Synonyms [1] [2]
  • Chalcides viridanus
    Gravenhorst, 1851
  • Chalcides polylepis simonyi
    Steindachner, 1891
  • Chalcides polylepis occidentalis
    Steindachner, 1900

The Fuerteventura skink (Chalcides simonyi) is an endangered ovoviviparous species of skink in the family Scincidae. Skinks are generally characterized by their smaller legs and less pronounced necks compared to typical lizards.

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, simonyi, is in honor of Viennese naturalist Oskar Simonyi (1852–1915), who also described El Hierro giant lizard in the same region. [3]

Geographic range

C. simonyi is found only on the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. [1]

Habitat

The natural habitats of C. simonyi are temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, rocky areas, pastureland, and urban areas. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Chalcides</i> Genus of reptiles

Chalcides is a genus of skinks.

<i>Gallotia</i> Genus of lizards

The genus Gallotia are the lacertids of the Canary Islands. This genus consists of a group that has been evolving there ever since the first islands emerged from the sea over 20 million years ago. The endemic species and subspecies of this group have a number of characteristics that make them quite special within their family (Lacertidae); their only close relatives are the sandrunner lizards (Psammodromus) of the western Mediterranean region. Gallotia are characteristic for eating significant quantities of plants, and several lineages are often presented as classic examples for insular gigantism. However, a find of an even larger Gallotia species from the early Miocene of mainland Europe casts doubt on this assumption. Instead the ancestor of all modern Gallotia species of the Canary islands was probably already very large but carnivorous.

<i>Chalcides bedriagai</i> Species of lizard

Chalcides bedriagai, commonly known as Bedriaga's skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. It usually lives in sandy areas with sparse vegetation and good ground cover. It can also live in open woodland and burrow into loose soil. Females of the species give birth to live young. This skink is active during day and dusk, and it is very timid. It may reach about 16 cm (6.3 in) in total length, and it has five digits on each foot. It preys on insects, spiders, slugs, and woodlice.

<i>Chalcides colosii</i> Species of lizard

Chalcides colosii, also known commonly as the Riffian skink and Colosi's cylindrical skink, is a moderate-sized species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to Morocco and some Spanish territories in northwestern Africa. It is named after Giuseppe Colosi, former director of the Zoological Institute of the University of Florence. It has been considered a subspecies of Chalcides ocellatus. The females of the species give birth to live young.

<i>Chalcides ebneri</i> Species of lizard

Chalcides ebneri, also known commonly as Ebner's cylindrical skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Morocco.

<i>Chalcides guentheri</i> Species of lizard

Chalcides guentheri, also known commonly as Günther's cylindrical skink, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to the Near East.

<i>Chalcides lanzai</i> Species of lizard

Chalcides lanzai, or Lanza's skink, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Morocco.

<i>Chalcides manueli</i> Species of lizard

Chalcides manueli, commonly known as Manuel's skink, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Scincinae of the family Scincidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gran Canaria skink</span> Species of lizard

The Gran Canaria skink is a species of skink in the family Scincidae which is endemic to Gran Canaria. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, rocky areas, sandy shores, pastureland, and plantations. The adults measure 16 – 18 cm out of which the tail forms 50%. Their legs are tiny, slim, and have five fingers. They live solitarily and only seek a partner during the mating season. They are ovoviviparous; females give birth to 2 - 4 babies after three months of pregnancy. They are kept as pets in vivariums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western three-toed skink</span> Species of reptile

The western three-toed skink is a species of lizard with tiny legs in the family Scincidae. It is found in the Iberian Peninsula, southern France and parts of northwestern Italy. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, sandy shores, arable land, pastureland, and rural gardens. It was first described 1829 by the French naturalist Georges Cuvier. The generic name comes from the Greek "chalcides" meaning 'copper' and the specific name is derived from the Latin "striatus" meaning 'streak'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Canary skink</span> Species of lizard

The West Canary skink, also known commonly as the Canaryan cylindrical skink, East Canary Islands skink, the Tenerife skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Canary Islands.

<i>Eumeces algeriensis</i> Species of lizard

Eumeces algeriensis, commonly called the Algerian skink, Algerian orange-tailed skink, Berber's skink, in French eumece d'Algérie, or in Spanish bulán, is a species of skink in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Maghreb region of North Africa.

<i>Hakaria</i> Genus of lizards

Hakaria is a genus of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The genus contains one species, Hakaria simonyi, which is endemic to Socotra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gran Canaria giant lizard</span> Species of lizard

The Gran Canaria giant lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is found in the Canary Islands.

<i>Chalcides ocellatus</i> Species of lizard

Chalcides ocellatus, or the ocellated skink is a species of skink found in Greece, southern Italy, Malta, Lebanon, and parts of northern Africa. UAE, Israel, It is also found in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.

Chalcides armitagei, also known commonly as Armitage's cylindrical skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to West Africa.

<i>Chalcides levitoni</i> Species of lizard

Chalcides levitoni, commonly called Leviton's cylindrical skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Saudi Arabia.

Chalcides thierryi, commonly known as Thierry's cylindrical skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is indigenous to West Africa.

<i>Chalcides bottegi</i> Species of lizard

Chalcides bottegi, also known commonly as Bottego's cylindrical skink or the ocellated skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and Northeast Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jose Antonio Mateo Miras; Valentin Pérez-Mellado; Iñigo Martínez-Solano (2009). "Chalcides simonyi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2009: e.T61488A12479483. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T61488A12479483.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. Uetz, Peter (2023-10-02). "Chalcides simonyi". The Reptile Database. Zoological Museum Hamburg. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  3. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Chalcides simonyi, p. 244).

Further reading