Anomalopus mackayi

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Anomalopus mackayi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Anomalopus
Species:
A. mackayi
Binomial name
Anomalopus mackayi

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, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to eastern Australia.

Etymology[edit]

The specific name, mackayi, is in honor of Australian herpetologist Roy D. Mackay.[3][4]

Behaviour and habitat[edit]

A. mackayi generally burrows in areas with black soil and few trees.

Description[edit]

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 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[edit]

Adult females of A. mackayi give birth to live young.

Conservation status[edit]

A. mackayi is listed as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List, and as Endangered under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Shea, G.; Cogger, H.; Greenlees, M. (2018). "Anomalopus mackayi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T1541A101742754. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T1541A101742754.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Species Anomalopus mackayi at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ 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. (Anomalopus mackayi, pp. 164-165).
  4. ^ "Anomalopus mackayi". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  5. ^ Australasian Reptile & Amphibian Specialist Group (1996). "Anomalopus mackayi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T1541A4578855. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T1541A4578855.en. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern.

Further reading[edit]

  • Cogger H (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350.
  • Greer AE, Cogger HG (1985). "Systematics of the reduce-limbed and limbless skinks currently assigned to the genus Anomalopus (Lacertilia: Scincidae)". Records of the Australian Museum 37 (1): 11–54. (Anomalopus mackayi, new species).
  • Groombridge B (editor) (1994). 1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. Gland, Switzerland: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
  • Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.

External links[edit]