Common dwarf skink
| Common dwarf skink | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Menetia |
| Species: | M. greyii |
| Binomial name | |
| Menetia greyii Gray, 1845 | |
Menetia greyii, commonly known as the common dwarf skink, is a species of lizard endemic to mainland Australia.
Etymology
The specific name, greyii, is in honor of explorer George Grey, who became Governor of South Australia and later Governor of New Zealand.[1]
Geographic range
One of Australia's most widespread and abundant lizards, M. greyii occurs in all parts of the mainland except coastal areas in the south-east, and Cape York Peninsula.[2]
Habitat
M. greyii is common in disturbed areas such as urban backyards, and is therefore fairly well known.[2]
Description
M. greyii is a very small skink with smooth scales and prominent limbs. It is grey to brown, usually with a stripe of black flecks along its back. Some populations have bright-yellow bellies, while others are silvery grey.[2]
Reproduction
M. greyii is one of a small number of vertebrate species that are known to reproduce by parthenogenesis.[3]
References
- ↑ 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. (Menetia greyii, p. 108).
- 1 2 3 Bush, Brian; Maryan, Brad; Browne-Cooper, Robert; Robinson, David (1995). A Guide to the Reptiles and Frogs of the Perth Region. University of Western Australia Press. ISBN 1-875560-42-4.
- ↑ Adams, Mark; Foster, Ralph; Hutchinson, Mark; Hutchinson, Rhonda; Donnellan, Steve (2003). "The Australian scincid lizard Menetia greyii: A new instance of widespread vertebrate parthenogenesis". Evolution. 57 (11): 2619–2627. PMID 14686536. doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2003.tb01504.x.
Further reading
- Gray, John Edward (1845). Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards in the Collection of the British Museum. London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Edward Newman, printer). xxviii + 289 pp. (Menetia greyii, new species, p. 66).