Giant spiny skink

Giant spiny skink
Conservation status
	; Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Scinciformata
Infraorder:	Scincomorpha
Family:	Egerniidae
Genus:	Tribolonotus
Species:	T. ponceleti
Binomial name
	Tribolonotus ponceleti; Kinghorn, 1937

Last updated September 29, 2025

The giant spiny skink or Poncelet's helmet skink (Tribolonotus ponceleti) is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Solomon Islands.^[1]

Etymology

The specific name, ponceleti, is in honor of the Rev. Jean-Baptiste Poncelet (1884-1958), French missionary and naturalist.^[2]

Habitat

The preferred habitat of T. ponceleti is forest at altitudes of 0–250 m (0–820 ft).^[1]

Behavior

Unlike most skinks, T. ponceleti has the ability to vocalize.^[3]

Reproduction

T. ponceleti is oviparous.^[3]

References

1 2 3 4 Harlow, P. (2013). "Tribolonotus ponceleti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013 e.T22091A2781610. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T22091A2781610.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
↑ 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. (Tribolonotus ponceleti, p. 209).
1 2 Species Tribolonotus ponceleti at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org

Austin CC, Rittmeyer EN, Richards SJ, Zug GR (2010). "Phylogeny, historical biogeography and body size evolution in Pacific Island Crocodile skinks Tribolonotus (Squamata: Scincidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution57: 227-236.
Kinghorn JR (1937). "A new species of scink [sic] from the Solomon Islands". Records of the Australian Museum20 (1): 1-2 + Plate I. (Tribolonotus ponceleti, new species).
McCoy M (2006). Reptiles of the Solomon Islands. Series Faunastica No. 57. Sofia, Bulgaria: Pensoft Publishers. 212 pp.

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[iucn_status_15_November_2021-1] 1 2 3 4 Harlow, P. (2013). "Tribolonotus ponceleti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013 e.T22091A2781610. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T22091A2781610.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.

[2] 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. (Tribolonotus ponceleti, p. 209).

[RDB-3] 1 2 Species Tribolonotus ponceleti at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org

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