Brachymeles bonitae

Brachymeles bonitae, commonly known as Hikida's short-legged skink[2] or the stub-limbed burrowing skink, is a species of skink found in the Philippines. It was first described in 1839 by André Marie Constant Duméril and Gabriel Bibron.[3] It is endemic to the Philippines.[1][4]

Brachymeles bonitae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Brachymeles
Species:
B. bonitae
Binomial name
Brachymeles bonitae

Description

Brachymeles bonitae is a small, elongated lizard with a snout-to-vent length of up to 80 mm (3 in). It is a "non-pentadactyl" species, different populations having a varying number of digits on each tiny limb, normally in the range zero to two.[5] Features that differentiate it from other similar skinks include the 47 to 57 presacral vertebrae and the number of rows of scales present. It has a pineal eye spot.[5] It is a fossorial species and can move through leaf litter and loose soil by "swimming". Adaptations in skinks for this type of lifestyle typically include a wedge-shaped snout, short head, elongated body, reduced limbs and a reduction in the number of digits.[6]

Distribution and habitat

Brachymeles bonitae is endemic to the northern and north-central Philippines where it is found on the islands of Luzon, Polillo Island, Mindoro, Masbate, Calotcot, Tablas Island, Sibuyan Island, Lubang Island, Camiguin and Marinduque at elevations of up to 800 m (2,625 ft) above sea level. Its typical habitat is the floor of moist primary and secondary tropical forest where it is found among the leaf litter or under fallen logs. It is also found in plantations and coconut groves.[1]

Status

Brachymeles bonitae is listed by the IUCN as being of "least concern". This is because it has a wide distribution in the Philippines, its population size appears to be stable and no specific threats have been identified. It seems to be an adaptable species and is found in both primary and secondary forests and in coconut plantations. Severe deforestation would be likely to affect it but it is present in a number of protected areas[1] including the Aurora Memorial National Park.[3]

References
  1. Brown, R. & Rico, E. (2009). "Brachymeles bonitae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009: e.T169762A6670628. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T169762A6670628.en.
  2. Murray Wroble (2004). Elsevier's Dictionary of Reptiles. Elsevier. p. 77. ISBN 9780080459202.
  3. Rafe M. Brown; Jimmy A. McGuire; John W. Ferner; Nicandro Icarangal Jr.; Robert S. Kennedy (2000). "Amphibians and reptiles of Luzon Island, II: Preliminary report on the herpetofauna of Aurora Memorial National Park, Philippines" (PDF). Hamadryad. 25 (2): 175–95. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-03.
  4. Figuier, Louis; Gillmore, Parker (1870). Reptiles and Birds: A Popular Account of the Various Orders; with a Description of the Habits and Economy of the Most Interesting. D. Appleton and Company. pp. 104. ISBN 978-1172264506.
  5. Siler, Cameron. "Brachymeles bonitae (Duméril & Bibron, 1839)". Biodiversity Research & Education Outreach: Philippines. Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
  6. Pough, F. Harvey; Preest, Marion R.; Fusari, Margaret H. (1997). "Prey-handling and the evolutionary ecology of sand-swimming lizards (Lerista: Scincidae)". Oecologia. 112 (3): 351–361. doi:10.1007/s004420050320.
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