| Ctenotus inornatus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Ctenotus |
| Species: | C. inornatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ctenotus inornatus (Gray, 1845) | |
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The bar-shouldered ctenotus (Ctenotus inornatus) is a species of skink found in the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia. [2]
The bar-shouldered ctenotus, scientifically known as Ctenotus inornatus, is a member of the Ctenotus inornatus species group, a putative clade of at least 11 nominal forms of large-bodied skink s that reach similar adult sizes, typically ranging from 85 to 110 millimeters in snout-vent length. [3] Within this species group, they share a common set of color pattern elements and scalation features, creating a distinct and captivating group of reptiles. [3]
One notable characteristic of the Ctenotus inornatus genus is their intricate color patterns, which are typically a complex blend of stripes and spots. [3] Their toes are not significantly compressed or only slightly so, and their subdigital lamellae possess a relatively broad, flat callus, which may have adaptive advantages for their movement. [3]
Their head and facial features have supraciliary scales, a critical phenotypic character that helps distinguish them. [3] In the case of the bar-shouldered ctenotus, an important feature is this arrangement of the supraciliary scales, with the first three scales notably larger than the remainder, which further adds to their distinctive appearance and helps researchers in their identification. [3]
Among the specific features that differentiate the bar-shouldered ctenotus from other members of the C. inornatus species group is the absence of a white subocular stripe and the extent to which dorsal color pattern elements extend anteriorly onto the head and neck region. [3]
Notably, there are instances of intraspecific variation in color patterns within this species. [3] Even as the dorsal patterns become reduced, the latera l pattern elements often remain distinct. [3] This phenomenon has been observed in bar-shouldered ctenotus populations in the Murchison and Gascoyne districts of Western Australia, as well as in the northern Kimberley region of Western Australia, adding an element of diversity to the species' appearance. [3]
John Edward Gray first classified Ctenotus inornatus in 1845. The Ctenotus (scincid lizards) genus includes more than 100 recognised species and is one of the most species-rich vertebrate clades in Australia. [3]
Several synonyms exist for this species: [3]
The bar-shouldered ctenotus displays a remarkable degree of geographic variation in color patterns throughout its distribution. This variation can occasionally lead to confusion with several other Ctenotus species in regions of sympatry. However, adult color patterns of the bar-shouldered ctenotus are typically distinct from other Ctenotus species, even in areas where they coexist. [3]
Northern Range and Central Deserts: In the northern reaches of its range and across the central deserts of Australia, the bar-shouldered ctenotus is characterised by a highly reduced pattern. In the Pilbara region, individuals are generally brown with faint striping. Some individuals may only have a faint dark vertebral stripe remaining, while others are nearly unpatterned. In the northern Great Sandy Desert and Tanami Desert, these lizards are often unpatterned, although some may retain weak lateral or dorsal pattern elements. It's essential to note that these patterns are distinctly different from those of C. robustus and C. superciliaris sp. nov., which share parts of their range with the bar-shouldered ctenotus in the Pilbara region. C. robustus and C. superciliaris sp. nov. are characterised by strong patterns in these geographic regions. [3]
Southeast Region: In the southeastern part of its range, bar-shouldered ctenotus (C. inornatus) can potentially be confused with C. spaldingi. To differentiate between the two species in areas where they potentially coexist, you can observe the following combinations of characters: [3]
The bar-shouldered ctenotus is adapted to the Australian desert ecosystem, and has a particular preference for habitats dominated by spinifex grass ( triodea ). [4] They exhibit specific foraging behaviors, primarily navigating within or along the edges of dense tussocks of spinifex grass. [4] This behavioral adaptation is likely a response to the structural intricacies and sharp spines of the grass habitat, offering both cover and advantageous positions for capturing prey. [4] They have a versatile palate, with a primary focus on isoptera (termites). [4] Additionally, other prey include formicidae (ants), locustidae (locusts), coleoptera (beetles), various insects, and even parts of vegetation. [4] This diverse dietary range underscores the adaptability of the species to the resources available within its desert habitat, contributing to its ecological success in the Australian arid landscape. [4]
Reproduction for the bar-shouldered ctenotus is timed to the Australian spring and early summer, spanning October to February. [4] The reproductive cycle involves the production of clutches, typically containing up to six eggs, tailored to the desert's seasonal conditions. [4] Sexually mature males undergo testes enlargement and spermatogenesis in October and November. [5] Females display two distinct egg production periods, occurring in spring (September to November) and summer (January and February), with vitellogenesis initiating in July. [5] Continuous low-level reproductive activity persists throughout spring and summer, and there is a possibility of individual females producing multiple clutches within a season. [5]
Ctenotus is a genus of skinks. It is endemic to Australia. The genus belongs to a clade in the Sphenomorphus group which contains such genera as Anomalopus and the close relatives Eulamprus and Gnypetoscincus.
Calotes calotes, the common green forest lizard, is an agamid lizard found in the forests of the Western Ghats and the Shevaroy Hills in India, and Sri Lanka.
Eurylepis taeniolata, the ribbon-sided skink, alpine Punjab skink, or yellow-bellied mole skink, is a species of skink found in Central Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. It is the type species of the genus Eurylepis.
Blanford's mabuya ( is a species of skink found in peninsular India.
Eutropis multifasciata, commonly known as the East Indian brown mabuya, many-lined sun skink, many-striped skink, common sun skink or (ambiguously) as golden skink, is a species of skink.
Eutropis rugifera, variously known as Nicobar Island skink or rough-scaled sun skink, is a species of skink from southeastern Asia.
Menetia greyii, commonly known as the common dwarf skink or Grey's skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to mainland Australia and Indonesia.
The eastern striped skink is a species of skink found in a wide variety of habitats around Australia. They are long-tailed, fast moving skinks that are quite large, growing to a maximum length of about 30cm. This skink is mostly brown with a white-edged black stripe running down the length of its back and tail with broad brown stripes along the side of the body with rows of white spots. The sides become lighter, turning into an off-white colour towards the underside of the skink, running from the groin to the chin. The striped skink is similar in appearance to the spotted-back skink with the main identifying difference being the solid stripe running down the back of C. robustus whereas C. uber orientalis has a row of dots.
Ctenotus strauchii, also known commonly as the eastern barred wedge-snout ctenotus or Strauch's ctenotus, is a small species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia and is found throughout semi-arid and arid regions in most of Australia's mainland states except Western Australia, although one record does exist for Western Australia in 1975.
Ctenophorus mckenziei, more commonly known as the dwarf-bicycle dragon, is a species of endemic Australian lizard within the family Agamidae and genus Ctenophorus. Originally identified as the agamid Amphibolurus mckenziei, the lizard had been identified within the regions of Western Australia and South Australia in which it occupied the shrubbery and woodland areas as its habitat. It was subsequently transferred to the genus Ctenophorus along with other Agamid species in which it shared similar morphology and characteristics. The name mckenziei is in reference to Norman Leslie Mckenzie, who was a zoologist and discovered the existence of the lizard. Listed on the IUCN red list page, threats to its population numbers are evaluated as least concern; however, their numbers are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and feral predators.
Ctenotus zebrilla, also known commonly as the Southern Cape York fine-snout ctenotus, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
Cryptoblepharus pannosus, also known commonly as the ragged snake-eyed skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
Ctenotus allotropis, the brown-blazed wedgesnout ctenotus, is a species of skink found in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.
The Southern Mallee ctenotus is a medium sized lizard in the family scincidae (skink) found in the central and southern interior regions of South Australia and Western Australia; the Mallee regions of NSW and Victoria, in Australia.
Ctenotus brooksi, also known commonly as Brooks' wedge-snouted ctenotus, the wedgesnout ctenotus, and the sandhill ctenotus, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia and found in semi-arid regions.
Ctenotus greeri, also known commonly as Greer's ctenotus and the spotted-necked ctenotus, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
Ctenotus leonhardii, known by the common names Leonhardi's ctenotus, Leonhardi's skink or common desert ctenotus, is a species of skink found in a range of arid and semi-arid regions throughout mainland Australia. The species was named after German anthropologist Moritz von Leonhardi in 1919 and belongs to the genus Ctenotus, one of the largest genera of lizards in Australia.
The pale-rumped ctenotus or regal striped skink is a medium-sized species of skink with an arid distribution restricted to the Australian Mainland, which belongs to the largest group of reptiles in Australia, Ctentotus.
The barred wedge-snout ctenotus is a species of skink found in Australia.[2]
Ctenotus spaldingi is a diurnal terrestrial skink (Scincidae) species of lizard, commonly known as the straight-browed ctenotus or Spalding’s ctenotus. Native to Australia the species is found in the northern areas of Australia, along the east coast, in the north and east of South Australia and throughout Victoria and in southern Papua New Guinea. Their conservation status is of least concern classified by the IUCN. Individuals can be up to 30cm long from the snout to tail or 10cm long from the snout to vent (SVL). They typically inhabit grasslands and low vegetation in savannah woodlands in coastal dune areas, monsoon scrub and woodland commonly found around rock outcrops and when disturbed will hide in shallow burrows or amongst ground litter.
