Sphenomorphus forbesi

Sphenomorphus forbesi
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. forbesi
Binomial name
	Sphenomorphus forbesi; (Boulenger, 1888)
Synonyms
	Lygosoma forbesi; Boulenger, 1888; Lygosoma (Sphenomorphus) forbesi; — M.A. Smith, 1937; Sphenomorphus forbesi; — Greer, 1991;

Last updated October 06, 2025

Sphenomorphus forbesi, also known commonly as Forbes' forest skink and the slender litter skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Papua New Guinea.^[2]

Etymology

The specific name, forbesi, is in honor of Henry Ogg Forbes, who was a Scottish explorer and naturalist.^[3]

Geographic range

S. forbesi is found on the Sogeri Plateau in the Owen Stanley Range in Central Province, Papua New Guinea.^[1]^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of S. forbesi is forest, at altitudes of 700–1,900 m (2,300–6,200 ft), but it has also been found in oil palm plantations.^[1]

Reproduction

S. forbesi is oviparous.^[2]

References

1 2 3 Tallowin, O. (2016). "Sphenomorphus forbesi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 e.T42485242A42485247. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T42485242A42485247.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
1 2 3 4 Sphenomorphus forbesi 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 forbesi, p. 91).

Boulenger GA (1888). "Descriptions of new Reptiles and Batrachians obtained by Mr. H. O. Forbes in New Guinea". Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Sixth Series1 (5): 343–346. (Lygosoma forbesi, new species, pp. 343–344).
Greer AE (1991). "Limb Reduction in Squamates: Identification of the Lineages and Discussion of the Trends". Journal of Herpetology25 (2): 166–173. (Sphenomorphus forbesi, new combination).
Smith MA (1937). "A Review of the Genus Lygosoma (Scincidae: Reptilia) and its Allies". Records of the Indian Museum39 (3): 213–234.
Whitaker, Rom; Whitaker, Zai; Mills, D. (1982). "Reptiles of Papua New Guinea". Wildlife in Papua New Guinea82 (2): 1–53.

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[iucn_status_20_November_2021-1] 1 2 3 Tallowin, O. (2016). "Sphenomorphus forbesi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 e.T42485242A42485247. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T42485242A42485247.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.

[RDB-2] 1 2 3 4 Sphenomorphus forbesi 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 forbesi, p. 91).

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