Tytthoscincus temasekensis

Tytthoscincus temasekensis, common name Singapore swamp skink, is a species of skinks belonging to the family Scincidae.[1]

Tytthoscincus temasekensis
Tytthoscincus temasekensis from Singapore
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Tytthoscincus
Species:
Tytthoscincus temasekensis
Binomial name
Tytthoscincus temasekensis
Grismer, Wood Jr., Lim, & Liang, 2017

Etymology

The species name temasekensis derives from the word Temasek meaning Sea Town in Old Javanese, an ancient name of a settlement in Singapore. As the Latin suffx –ensis means from a place, the epithet temasekensis can be translated from Singapore.[2]

Distribution

This uncommon species is present in Singapore, and in restricted areas of the Peninsular Malaysia.[3]

Habitat

Singapore swamp skink occurs in freshwater swamp forest, in peat swamp areas and close to shallow streams.[3]

Description

Tytthoscincus temasekensis can reach a total body length of about 7.6 cm (3.0 in). These small skinks have an elongate and dorso-ventrally flattened body, with smooth scales. Limbs and feet are tiny, short and slender. Its dorsal basic colour is dark brown, with a pale line from the head to the end of the tail. The abdomen is pale brownish. Young skinks are pale brown and slightly pinkish.[2][3][4]

Behavior

These skinks are skilled swimmers and very elusive. Usually they hide amongst or beneath leaf litter next to streams or swamps.[3]

References
  1. Biolib
  2. The Reptile Database
  3. Ecology Asia
  4. Grismer, L. L., Wood Jr, P. L., Lim, K. K., & Liang, L. J. (2017). A new species of swamp-dwelling skink (Tytthoscincus) from Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 65, 574-584.


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