Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Class Sauropsida Suborder Sauria | |
Similar Lankascincus, Nessia, Lamprolepis smaragdina, Sphenomorphus | ||
Lankascincus deignani, commonly known as Deignan's Lanka skink, is a species of skink endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.
Contents
It is named for the American ornithologist Herbert Girton Deignan, being originally named Sphenomorphus deignani by Kansas University's Edward H. Taylor, based on a specimen collected by Deignan from Gannoruwa Mountain on November 12, 1944.
Habitat & Distribution
Deignan's Lanka skink is confined to the midhills, submontane, and montane forests between 600 to 1,700 m (2,000 to 5,600 ft) of elevation.
Description
L. deignani is a rather large and robust Lanka skink.
Midbody scales rows 24-28. Lamellae under fourth toe counts 16-20.
Dorsum olive brown. Thick dark lateral stripe, edged above by a brownish yellow stripe, and below by 3-4 gray stripes extending from edge of orbit to tail-tip. Venter cream white or pale pink. Black spots on the upper jaw.
Ecology & Diet
Found in moist leaf litter, under stones and logs in forests.
Diet comprises insects.
Reproduction
Typically 2 eggs laid per one time.