Spondylurus magnacruzae | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Scincidae |
Genus: | Spondylurus |
Species: | S. magnacruzae |
Binomial name | |
Spondylurus magnacruzae | |
The greater Saint Croix skink (Spondylurus magnacruzae) is a species of skink found on Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. [2]
It was formerly present across most of Saint Croix where it was sighted with some regularity, but was largely extirpated from the island by the late 19th century due to the introduced small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata). From then onwards, the species was only known from the satellite island of Green Cay, where it is known from a specimen collected in 1964. Further surveys detected only two other sightings: once in 1987 (this individual was photographed, and this remains the only known photograph of a live S. magnacruzae) and once in September 2000. No further sightings have been recorded since then. Green Cay is a small island and also supports black rats (Rattus rattus), which may threaten any surviving populations of the species. [2]
The chevron skink, is a large species of skink endemic to New Zealand, found only on Great and Little Barrier islands in the Hauraki Gulf. A cryptic forest dweller, it can hide underwater, and is under threat from introduced rats.
The robust white-eye, also known as the Lord Howe white-eye or robust silvereye and locally as the "big grinnell", was a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It was endemic to the lowland forests of Lord Howe Island, east of Australia.
The Saint Croix ground lizard is a member of the Teiidae family of lizards. This animal is endemic on the St. Croix Island on the Virgin Islands.
The Anguilla Bank skink(Spondylurus powelli) was discovered in the Caribbean with 20 other reptile species and was immediately listed as an endangered species. The population of this lizard has been decreasing due to the introduction of the mongoose, which was originally imported to control rats in sugarcane fields, and now is an invasive species to the Caribbean Islands. Many of the newly added skink species discovered along with S. powelli are facing extinction for the same reason. Skinks are unique and perhaps at a disadvantage among lizards as they produce a human-like placenta and have live birth. The average gestation period is suggested at one year and may be the cause for the skinks being an easy target to the mongoose, since they are larger and slower when pregnant. Other types of human activity, along with the deforestation in the Caribbean, are thought to have decreased overall species numbers, as well.
Spondylurus is a genus of lizards in the family Scincidae. The genus Spondylurus, vernacularly known as the Antillean four-lined skinks, is a neotropical skink taxon including many species.
The Anegada skink is a species of skink found on Anegada in the British Virgin Islands.
The Caicos Islands skink is a species of skink found in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Culebra skink is a species of skink found on Culebra and on Culebrita, an uninhabited island off Culebra, in Puerto Rico.
Spondylurus haitiae, the Hispaniolan four-lined skink, is a species of skink endemic to Haiti. It is only known from its type locality where it was last collected at around 1857–1858. Considering the extensive field work in the area and the loss of suitable habitat, it is likely that this species is extinct.
The Mona skink is a species of skink found on Isla de Mona in Puerto Rico.
The Monito skink is a species of skink found on Monito Island in Puerto Rico.
The Turks Islands skink is a species of skink found in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Hispaniolan ten-lined skink is a species of skink endemic to Hispaniola.
The Carrot Rock skink is a species of skink found on Carrot Rock in the British Virgin Islands.
The Puerto Rican skink is a species of skink found in Puerto Rico.
The Lesser Virgin Islands skink is a species of skink found in the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
The Greater Virgin Islands skink is a species of skink found in the United States Virgin Islands.
Spondylurus sloanii, also known commonly as Sloane's skink or the Virgin Islands bronze skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.