| Writhing skinks | |
|---|---|
| Lygosoma quadrupes | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia (paraphyletic) |
| Subclass: | Diapsida |
| (unranked): | Sauria |
| Infraclass: | Lepidosauromorpha |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Scleroglossa |
| Infraorder: | Scincomorpha |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Subfamily: | Lygosominae |
| Genus: | Lygosoma Gray, 1828 |
| Species | |
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About 40, see text |
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Writhing skinks, genus Lygosoma, are members of the lizard family Scincidae, where they form the type genus of the subfamily Lygosominae. They are primarily found in India, but some occur in nearby regions. The common name refers to the way these stubby-legged animals move, snake-like but slower and more awkward.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Lygosoma was used as a "wastebin taxon", to which almost every skink newly described was assigned.[1]
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