Biology:Lankascincus deraniyagalae
| Lankascincus deraniyagalae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Lankascincus |
| Species: | L. deraniyagalae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lankascincus deraniyagalae Greer, 1991
| |
Lankascincus deraniyagalae, commonly known as Deraniyagala's Lanka skink or Deraniyagala's tree skink,[1] is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.
Etymology
The specific name, deraniyagalae, is in honor of Sri Lankan zoologist Paules Edward Pieris Deraniyagala.[1]
Habitat & distribution
L. deraniyagalae is confined mainly to montane forests between 700–1,300 m (2,300–4,300 ft) in the Central Hills, the Knuckles Mountain Range, and Galle district, in localities Pundaluoya, and Dimbula.
Description
The head, body, and tail of L. deraniyagalae are slender and long. The tail is a little over one and a half times the length of the body. Midbody scales rows are 26-28. Lamellae under the fourth toe are 16-18. The dorsum is medium brown. A dark brown line runs laterally from the eye to the hind limbs, extending to the middle of the tail. There are scattered white spots laterally. The throat is blue with pale spots. The rest of the venter, body, and tail is yellow.
Habitat
In forests L. deraniyagalae is found in moist leaf litter, and under stones and logs.
Diet
The diet of L. deraniyagalae comprises insects.
Reproduction
Sexually mature females of L. deraniyagalae typically lay one egg per clutch.
References
External links
- http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Lankascincus&species=deraniyagalae
- Photos of Deraniyagala's Lanka Skink
- http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Lankascincus_deraniyagalae/classification/
Further reading
- Greer AE (1991). "Lankascincus, a New Genus of Scincid Lizards from Sri Lanka, with Descriptions of Three New Species". Journal of Herpetology 25 (1): 59-64. (Lankascincus deraniyagalae, new species).
Wikidata ☰ Q3217579 entry
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