The
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...
''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "
wastebin taxon
Wastebasket taxon (also called a wastebin taxon, dustbin taxon or catch-all taxon) is a term used by some taxonomists to refer to a taxon that has the sole purpose of classifying organisms that do not fit anywhere else. They are typically define ...
" for numerous
skink
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, the family Scincidae is one of the most diverse families of lizards. S ...
s. While most or all
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...
presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as presently delimited is likely to be not
monophyletic
In cladistics for a group of organisms, monophyly is the condition of being a clade—that is, a group of taxa composed only of a common ancestor (or more precisely an ancestral population) and all of its lineal descendants. Monophyletic ...
and is in need of review. Some species in this genus have been moved to ''
Pinoyscincus''.
The namesake of the ''Sphenomorphus'' group of
Lygosominae
Lygosominae is the largest subfamily of skinks in the family Scincidae. The subfamily can be divided into a number of genus groups. If the rarely used taxonomic rank of infrafamily is employed, the genus groups would be designated as such, but ...
genera
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial ...
, most species would probably occupy a rather
basal
Basal or basilar is a term meaning ''base'', ''bottom'', or ''minimum''.
Science
* Basal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location for features associated with the base of an organism or structure
* Basal (medicine), a minimal level that is nec ...
position therein.
Species
*''
Sphenomorphus acutus'' – pointed-headed sphenomorphus
*''
Sphenomorphus aignanus
''Sphenomorphus aignanus'' is a species of skink found in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bi ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus alfredi''
*''
Sphenomorphus annamiticus'' – Perak forest skink, starry forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus annectens
''Sphenomorphus annectens'' is a species of lizard in the genus '' Sphenomorphus'' of the family Scincidae, described by George Albert Boulenger in 1897.Boulenger, G. A. (1897) An account of the reptiles and batrachians collected by Dr. L. Lori ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus anomalopus
The long-toed forest skink (''Sphenomorphus anomalopus'') is a species of skink found in Malaysia and Indonesia.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3493233
anomalopus
''Anomalopus'' is a genus of worm-skinks, smallish smooth-scaled burrowing li ...
'' – long-toed forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus anotus
''Sphenomorphus anotus'' is a species of skink found in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilo ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus apalpebratus
''Sphenomorphus apalpebratus'' is a species of skink found in India
India, officially the Republic of India ( Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the m ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus bacboensis''
*''
Sphenomorphus bignelli''
*''
Sphenomorphus brunneus''
*''
Sphenomorphus buenloicus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus buettikoferi
''Sphenomorphus buettikoferi'' is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the island of Borneo.
Etymology
The specific name, ''buettikoferi'', is in honor of Swiss zoologist Johann Büttikofer. Beolens, ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus cameronicus'' – Cameron Highlands forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus capitolythos
''Sphenomorphus capitolythos'' is a species of skink found in Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 isl ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus celebensis''
*''
Sphenomorphus cinereus''
*''
Sphenomorphus concinnatus'' – elegant forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus consobrinus''
*''
Sphenomorphus cophias'' – Tahan Mountain forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus courcyanus''
*''
Sphenomorphus cranei
''Sphenomorphus cranei'', also known commonly as Crane’s skink and Crane's forest skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Solomon Islands.
Etymology
The specific name, ''cranei'', is in honor of A ...
'' – Crane’s skink
*''
Sphenomorphus crassus
''Sphenomorphus crassus'' is a species of skink found in Malaysia.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5121611
crassus
Marcus Licinius Crassus (; 115 – 53 BC) was a Roman general and statesman who played a key role in the transformation of ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus cryptotis''
*''
Sphenomorphus cyanolaemus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
'' – blue-headed forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus darlingtoni
''Sphenomorphus darlingtoni'' is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Papua New Guinea.
Etymology
The specific name, ''darlingtoni'', is in honor of American entomologist Philip Jackson Darlington Jr. ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus dekkerae
''Sphenomorphus dekkerae'' is a species of skink
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, the family Scincid ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus derooyae
''Sphenomorphus derooyae'' is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to Oceania.
Geographic range
''S. derooyae'' is found in New Guinea and in the Bismarck Archipelago, including Admiralty Islands, New Br ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus diwata'' – diwata sphenomorphus
*''
Sphenomorphus dussumieri
''Sphenomorphus dussumieri'', Common name, commonly known as Dussumier's forest skink and Dussumier's litter skink, is a species of skink, a lizard in the Family (biology), family Scincidae. The species is Endemism, endemic to southern India.
G ...
'' –
Dussumier's forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus fasciatus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
'' – banded sphenomorphus
*''
Sphenomorphus forbesi'' – slender litter skink
*''
Sphenomorphus fragilis''
*''
Sphenomorphus fragosus''
*''
Sphenomorphus fuscolineatus''
*''
Sphenomorphus grandisonae
Grandison’s forest skink (''Sphenomorphus grandisonae'') is a species of skink
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxo ...
'' – Grandison’s forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus granulatus
''Sphenomorphus granulatus'' is a species of skink found in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus haasi''
*''
Sphenomorphus helenae
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
'' – Notaburi forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus incognitus''
*''
Sphenomorphus indicus
''Sphenomorphus indicus'' (Indian forest skink) is a species of skink.
Description
Its habit is lacertiform; the distance between the end of the snout and the fore limb contained about 1.6 times in the distance between axilla and groin. Snout s ...
'' – Indian forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus jobiensis
''Sphenomorphus jobiensis'' is a species of skink. It is found in New Guinea, the Admiralty Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, and eastern Indonesia (Misool, Salawati, Aru Islands, and Yapen).
Names
It is known as komñ in the Kalam language of ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus kinabaluensis
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus latifasciatus''
*''
Sphenomorphus leptofasciatus
''Sphenomorphus leptofasciatus'' is a species of skink. It is found in Papua New Guinea.
''Sphenomorphus leptofasciatus'' is often found in or under decaying foliage and logs. It is the only skink species that the Kalam language, Kalam people of ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus lineopunctulatus
The line-spotted forest skink (''Sphenomorphus lineopunctulatus'') is a species of skink. It is found in Thailand, Cambodia
Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a coun ...
'' – line-spotted forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus longicaudatus
''Sphenomorphus longicaudatus'' is a species of skink. It is found in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Indepen ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus loriae
''Sphenomorphus loriae'' is a species of skink. It is found in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Ste ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus louisiadensis''
*''
Sphenomorphus maculatus'' – spotted forest skink, maculated forest skink, stream-side skink
*''
Sphenomorphus maculicollus
''Sphenomorphus maculicollus'' is a species of skink
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, the family Scin ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus maindroni''
*''
Sphenomorphus malaisei''
*''
Sphenomorphus malayanus
The Malayan forest skink (''Sphenomorphus malayanus'') is a species of skink. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam
Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country ...
'' – Malayan forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus melanopogon
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus meyeri
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus microtympanum''
*''
Sphenomorphus mimicus'' – dwarf forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus mimikanus''
*''
Sphenomorphus minutus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus modiglianii
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus muelleri'' –
*''
Sphenomorphus multisquamatus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus murudensis''
*''
Sphenomorphus necopinatus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a " wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as p ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus neuhaussi''
*''
Sphenomorphus nigriventris
''Sphenomorphus nigriventris'' is a species of skink. It is endemic to New Guinea and is found in both Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea
Western New Guinea, also known as Papua, Indonesian New Guinea, or Indonesian Papua, is the we ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus nigrolabris
''Sphenomorphus nigrolabris'' is a species of skink found in Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 isla ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus nigrolineatus
''Sphenomorphus nigrolineatus'' is a species of skink found in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen St ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus oligolepis''
*''
Sphenomorphus orientalis
''Sphenomorphus orientalis'' is a species of skink found in Myanmar
Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British En ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus papuae''
*''
Sphenomorphus phuquocensis'' – Phu Quoc Island forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus praesignis'' – blotched forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus pratti''
*''
Sphenomorphus preylangensis
The Prey Lang forest skink (''Sphenomorphus preylangensis'') is a species of skink found in Cambodia
Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the sout ...
'' – Prey Lang forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus puncticentralis
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus rarus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus rufus''
*''
Sphenomorphus sabanus'' – Sabah slender skink
*''
Sphenomorphus sanana''
*''
Sphenomorphus sanctus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
'' – Java forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus sarasinorum
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus schlegeli
''Sphenomorphus schlegeli'' is a species of skink
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, the family Scinci ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus schultzei''
*''
Sphenomorphus scotophilus'' – Selangor forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus scutatus'' – Palau ground skink
*''
Sphenomorphus senja''
*''
Sphenomorphus sheai
''Sphenomorphus sheai'', Shea's forest skink, is a species of skink
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, ...
'' – Shea's forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus shelfordi
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus simus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
'' – common forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus solomonis''
*''
Sphenomorphus stellatus'' – Perak forest skink, starry forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus striolatus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus sungaicolus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus taiwanensis
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus tanahtinggi
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus tanneri
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
'' – Tanner’s skink
*''
Sphenomorphus taylori
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
'' – Taylor’s Solomon skink
*''
Sphenomorphus tenuiculus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus tersus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
'' – Nakhon Si-Thammarat forest skink, Thai forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus tetradactylus
''Sphenomorphus tetradactylus'' is a species of skink found in Vietnam.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q16480414
tetradactylus
''Tetradactylus'' is a genus of lizards in the family Gerrhosauridae. The genus is endemic to Africa.
Specie ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus tonkinensis
''Sphenomorphus tonkinensis'', the Tonkin forest skink, is a species of skink found in Vietnam
Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the east ...
'' – Tonkin forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus transversus''
*''
Sphenomorphus tridigitus''
*''
Sphenomorphus tritaeniatus
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus tropidonotus''
*''
Sphenomorphus undulatus
''Sphenomorphus undulatus'', the wavy-backed forest skink, is a species of skink
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxon ...
'' – wavy-backed forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus vanheurni''
*''
Sphenomorphus variegatus''
*''
Sphenomorphus wau''
*''
Sphenomorphus wollastoni''
*''
Sphenomorphus woodfordi
''Sphenomorphus woodfordi'' is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to the Solomon Islands and Bougainville.
Etymology
The specific name, ''woodfordi'', is in honor of British naturalist Charles Morris ...
''
*''
Sphenomorphus yersini
The genus ''Sphenomorphus'' – vernacularly known as the common skinks – currently serves as a "wastebin taxon" for numerous skinks. While most or all species presently placed here are probably rather close relatives, the genus as pr ...
'' – Yersin’s forest skink
*''
Sphenomorphus zimmeri
''Sphenomorphus zimmeri'' is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Etymology
The specific name, ''zimmeri'', is in honor of German zoologist Carl Wilhelm Erich Zimmer. Beolens B, ...
''
''
"Hinulia" elegans'', described by
Gray
Grey (more common in British English) or gray (more common in American English) is an intermediate color between black and white. It is a neutral or achromatic color, meaning literally that it is "without color", because it can be composed ...
in 1838, is unidentified, but may be ''
Eulamprus tenuis
''Eulamprus'' is a genus of lizards, commonly known as water skinks, in the subfamily Sphenomorphinae of the family Scincidae. The genus is native to Australia.
Taxonomy
The genus ''Eulamprus'' belongs to a clade in the '' Sphenomorphus'' ...
'',
[Shea & Michels (2008).] which is also known as ''
Concinnia tenuis
The bar-sided forest-skink or barred-sided skink (''Concinnia tenuis'') is a species of skink found in New South Wales and Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Quee ...
''
(Gray, 1831).
Range
They are found mainly in
Southeast asia
Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, south-eastern region of Asia, consistin ...
but has also been found in
India
India, officially the Republic of India ( Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the ...
and upwards to
China.
References
External links
* (2006). "Using ancient and recent DNA to explore relationships of extinct and endangered ''Leiolopisma'' skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae) in the Mascarene islands". ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'' 39 (2): 503–511.
(HTML abstract)
* (2006). "The Southeast Asian scincid lizard ''Siaphos tridigitus'' Bourret, 1939 (Reptilia, Scincidae): a second specimen". ''Zoosystema'' 28 (3): 785-790
PDF fulltext* (2008). "A replacement name for ''Sphenomorphus keiensis'' (Kopstein, 1926) from the southeastern Moluccas, Indonesia (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) with a redescription of the species". ''
Zoologische Mededelingen
''Zoologische Mededelingen'' was a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal publishing papers and monographs on animal systematics. The publisher was the National Museum of Natural History Naturalis in the Netherlands. The first issue appeared ...
Leiden'' 82 (52): 737-747
PDF
Further reading
*
Fitzinger L (1843). ''Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae.'' Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. (''Sphenomorphus'', new genus, p. 23). (in Latin).
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1758486
Lizard genera
Taxa named by Leopold Fitzinger