Deignan's tree skink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deignan's tree skink |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lankascincus
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| Species: |
deignani
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| Synonyms | |
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Lankascincus deignani, commonly known as Deignan's tree skink and the Deignan tree skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.
Etymology and taxonomy
L. deignani is named after American ornithologist Herbert Girton Deignan, being originally named Sphenomorphus deignani by Kansas University's Edward H. Taylor, based on a specimen collected by Deignan from Gannoruwa Mountain on November 12, 1944. The synonym, L. greeri, was named in honour of Australian herpetologist Allen Eddy Greer.
Habitat and distribution
Deignan's Lanka skink is confined to the midhills, submontane and montane forests, at 600 to 1,700 m (2,000 to 5,600 ft) of elevation.
Description
L. deignani is a rather large and robust Lanka skink. The midbody scale rows number 28. The lamellae under the fourth toe number 19–20.
The dorsum is olive brown. There is a thick dark lateral stripe, edged above by a brownish yellow stripe, and below by 3–4 gray stripes extending from edge of the orbit to the tail-tip. The venter is cream white or pale pink. There are black spots on the upper jaw.
Ecology and diet
L. deignani is found in moist leaf litter, under stones and logs in forests.
Its diet comprises insects.
Reproduction
L. deignani is oviparous. Typically two eggs are laid per one time.
