Sphenomorphus bignelli

Sphenomorphus bignelli
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Scinciformata
Infraorder:	Scincomorpha
Family:	Sphenomorphidae
Genus:	Sphenomorphus
Species:	S. bignelli
Binomial name
	Sphenomorphus bignelli; Schmidt, 1932

Last updated October 06, 2025

Sphenomorphus bignelli is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Solomon Islands.^[2]

Etymology

The specific name, bignelli, is in honor of Charles Robert Bignell (1892–1964), who was a planter in the Solomon Islands.^[3]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of S. bignelli is forest, at altitudes of 150–1,500 m (490–4,920 ft).^[1]

Description

A small species for its genus, S. bignelli is dark reddish brown dorsally, and it is pale yellow ventrally. The holotype has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 3.3 cm (1.3 in) and a total length of 6.8 cm (2.7 in).^[4]

Behavior

S. bignelli is diurnal and terrestrial. It is not fossorial, but does hide in leaf litter and under fallen logs.^[1]

Diet

S. bignelli preys upon insects and their larvae.^[1]

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of S. bignelli is unknown.^[2]

References

1 2 3 4 Harlow, P. (2013). "Sphenomorphus bignelli ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013 e.T196633A2468892. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T196633A2468892.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
1 2 Sphenomorphus bignelli at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 22 March 2020.
↑ 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. (Sphenomorphus bignelli, p. 25).
↑ Schmidt KP (1932).

McCoy M (2015). A Field Guide to the Reptiles of the Solomon Islands (pdf). Kuranda, Queensland, Australia: Michael McCoy. 137 pp.
Schmidt KP (1932). "Reptiles and Amphibians from the Solomon Islands". Field Museum of Natural History, Zoological Series18 (9): 175–190. (Sphenomorphus bignelli, new species, pp. 183–184).

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[iucn_status_19_November_2021-1] 1 2 3 4 Harlow, P. (2013). "Sphenomorphus bignelli ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013 e.T196633A2468892. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T196633A2468892.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.

[RDB-2] 1 2 Sphenomorphus bignelli at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 22 March 2020.

[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. (Sphenomorphus bignelli, p. 25).

[4] Schmidt KP (1932).

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