Eastern skink
| Eastern skink | |
|---|---|
| File:Eastern sandfish.jpg | |
| Emerging from the sand, Al Wakrah, Qatar | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Scincus |
| Species: | S. mitranus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Scincus mitranus | |
The eastern skink (Scincus mitranus), also known commonly as the Arabian sand skink and the eastern sandfish, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Scincinae of the family Scincidae (skinks).[1][2] The species is native to the deserts and arid lands of the Arabian Peninsula north to Western Iran. Truly at home within fine, loosely-grained desert sand, this skink is known for resting while completely buried, keeping only its nostrils, and possibly part of its face, above ground for oxygen. In addition to ambushing passing invertebrate prey (likewise with only its nose or face exposed), S. mitranus will readily "dive" into the sand at the first sign of danger, appearing to "swim" through the dunes as it hastily buries itself deeper to hide. Its naturally glossy, shiny and smooth scales – typical of the skink family, in general – enable quick digging and rapid movement within the fine, often very hot, substrate, with no external injury or irritation to its body. This behavior has earned S. mitranus its common names of "sandfish" and "sand skink".
Etymology
[edit | edit source]The specific name mitranus is after Indian archaeologist-anthropologist Babu Rajendralal Mitra (1824–1891).[3]
Description
[edit | edit source]Scincus mitranus may grow to a total length (tail included) of 20 cm (7.9 in) and have an orange-brown or sand-coloured back, and a white underside. On the side it has a line or spots in a light colour, and the back and legs have vague dark bands. The snout is shaped like a bill, and the legs and tail are short.[citation needed]
Behaviour
[edit | edit source]The eastern skink can run quickly, or slide over the sand and dig itself in quickly when it is in danger.[citation needed]
Diet
[edit | edit source]Scincus mitranus preys on several kinds of arthropods, especially centipedes and beetles.[citation needed]
Distribution and habitat
[edit | edit source]Scincus mitranus is found in the southern, eastern and northern areas of the Arabian Peninsula (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates), Western Iran (near Ahvaz) and potentially east into Pakistan,[1][2] though its actual presence in the latter is disputed.[2] In Oman, it has been sighted as far south and west as the region of Al-Mazyunah, Dhofar, close to the border with Yemen.[4] In Saudi Arabia, it has been documented as far west as Riyadh and the deserts to the east of Al-Artawiyah and Umm Al Jamajm, north of the capital city.[4] Scincus mitranus is associated with loose sand dune (aeolian) habitats.[1]
Reproduction
[edit | edit source]The eastern skink is ovoviviparous,[1][2] which gives it an advantage compared to other species in the area, as its eggs cannot desiccate.[citation needed]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e Scincus mitranus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 4 August 2016.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).. (Scincus mitranus, p. 180).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Anderson J (1871). "Description of a New Species of Scincus ". Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 1871: 115–116. (Scincus mitranus, new species).
- Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. ... Scincidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Scincus mitranus, p. 393).
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