Description of a new species of Sri Lankan litter skink (Squamata: Scincidae: Lankascincus)

Abstract

Lankascincus greeri, a new species of litter skink, is described from Sri Lanka. The new species, which is widely distributed throughout the rainforests of the south-western lowlands, is distinguished from all other members of this genus by the presence of paired frontoparietals; possessing 2 secondary temporals in contact with each other; and by having 42-45 paravertebrals, 18-21 subdigital lamellae on fourth digit of pes and a maximum SVL of 58.5 mm. A paratype of Sphenomorphus dorsicatenatus is rediscovered (the type series having long been considered lost) and assigned to Lankascincus. Key words: Reptilia, Sphenomorphus, endemism, Ceylon, Lygosominae Doi: 10.4038/cjsbs.v36i2.482 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 36 (2): 80-87, 2007