Silvascincus murrayi
| Silvascincus murrayi | |
|---|---|
| Murray's skink | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Silvascincus |
| Species: | S. murrayi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Silvascincus murrayi (Boulenger, 1887)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Silvascincus murrayi, also known commonly as the blue-speckled forest-skink and Murray's skink, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Sphenomorphinae of the family Scincidae. The species is native to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.[2]
Etymology
The specific name, murrayi, is in honor of Canadian oceanographer, John Murray.[3]
Description
Adults of Silvascincus murrayi have an average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 11 cm (4.3 in). The body is robust. Dorsally, it is golden brown to coppery brown, with black scale edges and black flecks. The flanks are black with yellow dots and fine bluish white speckles. Ventrally, it is pale yellow.[4]
Geographic distribution
Silvascincus murrayi is found in extreme eastern Australia, in northeastern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland.[1]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Silvascincus murrayi is forest.[1]
Reproduction
The mode of reproduction of Silvacincus murrayi has been described as viviparous[1] and as ovoviviparous.[2] Litter size is three to five neonates.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Shea, G.; Greenlees, M.; Wilson, S.; Hobson, R.; Sanderson, C. (2018). "Silvascincus murrayi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018 e.T109481361A109481372. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T109481361A109481372.en. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ^ a b c Silvascincus murrayi 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. (Eulamprus murrayi, p. 185).
- ^ Wilson, S.; Swan, G. (2023). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Sixth Edition. Sydney: Reed New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-92554-671-2. 688 pp. (Karma murrayi, pp. 244–245).
Further reading
- Boulenger, G.A. (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. Lacertidæ, Gerrhosauridæ, Scincidæ, Anelytropidæ, Dibamidæ, Chamæleontidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Lygosoma murrayi, new species, p. 232 + Plate XIII, figures 1–1a).
- Cogger, H.G. (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 978-0643100350. xxx + 1,033 pp. (Concinnia murrayi, p. 454).
- Skinner, A.; Hutchinson, M.N.; Lee, M.S.Y. (2013). "Phylogeny and divergence times of Australian Sphenomorphus group skinks (Scincidae, Squamata)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 69 (3): 906–918. (Silvascincus murrayi, new combination).