Lygosoma | |
---|---|
Lygosoma quadrupes | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Scincidae |
Subfamily: | Lygosominae |
Genus: | Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1828 [1] |
Type species | |
Anguis quadrupes Linnaeus, 1766 | |
Species | |
16, see text |
Lygosoma is a genus of lizards, commonly known as supple skinks or writhing skinks, which are members of the family Scincidae. Lygosoma is the type genus of the subfamily Lygosominae. The common name, writhing skinks, refers to the way these stubby-legged animals move, snake-like but more slowly and more awkwardly.
Species of Lygosoma are found in India to southeast Asia. [2]
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Lygosoma was used as a "wastebin taxon", to which almost every newly described skink was assigned. [3]
Which specific species are contained within this genus is controversial because of its unresolved historic relation to two other closely related genera: Mochlus and Lepidothyris. Currently, there are 16 known species in Lygosoma, 15 known species in Mochlus, and three known species in Lepidothyris. However, some species under the latter two genera are often listed under Lygosoma, and Lygosoma was recently found to be paraphyletic to the other two genera based on phylogenetic studies. To clear up this confusion, all species (49) pertaining to these three genera are classified as Lygosoma s.l. and the known 16 species under Lygosoma are classified as Lygosoma s.s. [2]
After performing extensive phylogenetic analyses (genetic and molecular, species tree, and morphological anaylses), the classification of Lygosoma s.l. was further revised to containing four genera: Lygosoma (Southeast Asian writhing skinks), Mochlus (African supple skinks), Riopa (Asian gracile skinks), and Subdoluseps gen. nov. (Asian agile skinks). Genus Lygosoma s.s. was found to be separated into three clades instead of being a monophyletic group in relation to other genera within Lygosoma s.l., which in turn renamed this genus to Lygosoma and contains species that have Lygosoma quadrupes as their common ancestor. Mochlus was also found to be paraphyletic to Lepidothyris, making it not a monophyletic group and ultimately grouping genera Mochlus and Lepidothyris as one genus, Mochlus. Riopa was a recently discovered genus from about 11 years ago and was supported as a monophyletic group within Lygosoma s.l., and Subdoluseps gen. nov. is also a newly added genus to this group. [2]
The following species are recognized. [4] [5]
Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Lygosoma.
Lamprolepis is a genus of lizards, known commonly as emerald skinks, in the subfamily Lygosominae of the family Scincidae. Lygosoma is its closest genetic relative.
Mochlus is a genus of skinks, lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus is endemic to Africa.
The genus Sphenomorphus – vernacularly also known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as presently delimited is likely to be not monophyletic and is in need of review. Some species in this genus have been moved to Pinoyscincus.
Eutropis ashwamedhi, also known commonly as the Ashwamedh supple skink or Ashwamedha writhing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to India.
Subdoluseps bowringii, also known commonly as Bowring's supple skink, Bowring's writhing skink, and the Christmas Island grass-skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia.
Riopa guentheri, commonly known as Günther's supple skink and Günther's writhing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to India.
Subdoluseps pruthi, known commonly as Pruthi's skink or Pruthi's supple skink, is a species of diurnal, terrestrial, insectivorous, lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the southern part of the Eastern Ghats in South India. The species was first described based on the type specimen from Chitteri hills in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Further surveys reveal the presence of similar-looking skinks in nearby hill ranges. Though described in 1977, the holotype was collected in 1929, and yet very little is known or has been published about this species.
Vosmer's writhing skink is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to India.
The banded supple skink, also known as Harold's writhing skink or Harold Young's supple skink, is a species of skink in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.
Lygosominae is the largest subfamily of skinks in the family Scincidae. The subfamily can be divided into a number of genus groups. If the rarely used taxonomic rank of infrafamily is employed, the genus groups would be designated as such, but such a move would require a formal description according to the ICZN standards.
The fire skink, also known commonly as Fernand's skink, the Togo fire skink, and the true fire skink, is a fairly large skink, a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is known for its bright and vivid coloration. Native to tropical forests in West and Central Africa, the fire skink lives fifteen to twenty years. This species is a diurnal lizard that burrows and hides. It is relatively shy and reclusive, but may become tame in captivity.
Tytthoscincus is a genus of skinks. Originally defined to include a few species from the Philippines, the genus now includes many species from South-East Asia in general.
Angel's writhing skink is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia.
Lygosoma bampfyldei, commonly known as Bampfylde's supple skink or Bampfylde's writhing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Malaysia.
Lygosoma schneideri, also known commonly as Schneider's writhing skink and the Sumatran supple skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Indonesia.
Mochlus grandisonianus, also known commonly as Lanza's writhing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Somalia.
Mochlus tanae, also known commonly as Loveridge's writhing skink or the Tana River writhing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to East Africa.
Mochlus vinciguerrae, also known commonly as Vinciguerra's writhing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is indigenous to East Africa and the Horn of Africa.
Tytthoscincus butleri, also known commonly as Butler's forest skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to Malaysia and Thailand.
Subdoluseps is a genus of skinks. They were all previously found in the genus Lygosoma.