Kingdom Animalia Family Scincidae Scientific name Anomalopus mackayi Rank Species | Class Reptilia Genus Anomalopus Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | |
Similar Anomalopus, Scaled reptiles, Anepischetosia, Collared delma, Desert rainbow‑skink | ||
Anomalopus mackayi, commonly known as the five-clawed worm skink, long-legged worm skink, and MacKay's burrowing skink, is a species of smooth-scaled burrowing skink endemic to eastern Australia.
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Etymology
The specific name, mackayi, is in honor of Australian herpetologist Roy D. MacKay.
Behaviour and habitat
A. mackayi generally burrows in areas with black soil and few trees.
Description
A. mackayi generally grows to the size of about 10 cm (3.9 in) snout-vent length (SVL). It is similar to Anomalopus leuckartii but with a distinctly didactyle (having two digits) hindlimbs, a central dark spot within each individual scale, and is yellow-green below with darker flecks (Cogger 2000).
Reproduction
Adult females of the A.mackayi give birth to live young.
Conservation status
A. mackayi is listed as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List, and as Endangered under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992.