Leiolopisma

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Leiolopisma
Leiolopisma telfairi 2.jpg
Leiolopisma telfairii
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Scinciformata
Infraorder: Scincomorpha
Family: Eugongylidae
Genus: Leiolopisma
Duméril & Bibron, 1839
Species

see text

Synonyms

Didosaurus

Leiolopisma is a genus of skinks. Most species occur in the region of New Caledonia-New Zealand, and they are related to other genera from that general area, such as Emoia ; these and others form the Eugongylus group. One living and two extinct taxa represent a clade endemic to the Mascarenes.(Austin & Arnold 2006)

Species

The Mauritian giant skink (Leiolopisma mauritiana) and the Réunion giant skink (Leiolopisma ceciliae) were closely related. These two were formerly separated in Didosaurus. David Day (1979), in Vanished Species, described the Reunion giant skink as small and fast moving but completely unafraid of humans. Individuals would climb on observer's legs. Efforts to maintain the species in captivity proved futile. The Reunion giant skink was reported to be completely insectivorous.

References