Biology:Trachylepis quinquetaeniata
| Trachylepis quinquetaeniata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Trachylepis |
| Species: | T. quinquetaeniata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (Lichtenstein, 1823)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Mabuya quinquetaeniata | |
The African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata, formerly Mabuya quinquetaeniata), sometimes called rainbow mabuya, is a species of African skink in the subfamily Lygosominae. T. margaritifera is also known as the rainbow skink.
Taxonomy
The species has two subspecies:
- Trachylepis quinquetaeniata quinquetaeniata (Lichtenstein, 1823)
- Trachylepis quinquetaeniata riggenbachi (Sternfeld, 1910)
Trachylepis margaritifera, formerly treated as a subspecies of T. quinquetaeniata, was elevated to full species status in 1998.
Description
Trachylepis quinquetaeniata is a medium-sized lizard reaching a length of about 20 centimetres (7.9 in). The coloration of this species is quite variable, depending on the gender and the age. The scales are glossy, with metallic reflections. The basic colour is usually olive-brown or dark brown, sometimes with pearly whitish spots and with three light olive or dark brown stripes running from the head to the electric blue tail. These stripes may fade and become indistinct in the adults.
The head shows a pointed snout and clearly visible ears holes. Just behind the ear opening, there are some black spots. Legs are dark brown, short and strong, with relatively long toes. The flanks are mainly yellowish and the underside of the body is whitish.
Distribution
The species is found in Egypt[1] and southern Africa It has been found across the African continent and is also an invasive species in Florida.[2]
Captivity
This species is found in the reptile trade. This trade is responsible for the groups of mabuya now found in Florida [3] and California [4]
Habitat
These skinks are found in both rocky and grassland habitats. They tend to make their homes on trees, but also can be found using manmade structures for this purpose.[3]
Behavior
Diet
This species' diet consists of mostly insects, particularly beetles, butterflies, and ants, with little to no variation between the diet of males and females.[5]
References
- ↑ Baha El Din, Sherif (2006). A Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Egypt. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 978-9774249792.
- ↑ "Comprehensive Report Species - Trachylepis quinquetaeniata". http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Trachylepis+quinquetaeniata.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Krysko, K. L., S. A. Johnson, K. E. Giddens, K. H. Gielow, T. S. Lowke, W. M. Moore, E. Suarez, C. D. Thomas, A. S. Shoeslon, J. P. Burgess, C. A. Smith, and B. A. Garner. 2010. The African five-lined skink, Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (Lichtenstein 1823): a new established species in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 17(3):183-184
- ↑ Pauly, G. B. and Gavit, P.D. 2019. Geographic distribution: USA, California, Los Angeles County: Trachylepis quinquetaeniata. Herpetological Review, 50(1):103-104
- ↑ Dendi, Daniele; Segniagbeto, Gabriel H.; Di Vittorio, Massimiliano; Luiselli, Luca (2019-01-01). "Are diet diversity metrics influenced more by rainfall or by temperature in an Afrotropical Scincid Lizard?". Ecological Research 34 (1): 68–73. doi:10.1111/1440-1703.1001. ISSN 0912-3814.
- Trachylepis quinquetaeniata, Reptiles Database
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q1766617 entry
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