Eutropis tytleri
| Eutropis tytleri | |
|---|---|
| |
| Near Shoalbay, Andaman Islands | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Eutropis |
| Species: | E. tytleri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Eutropis tytleri | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Eutropis tytleri (common name: Tytler's mabuya) is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Andaman Islands, India.
Etymology and Taxonomy
[edit]E. tytleri is named after British naturalist Robert Christopher Tytler,[4] who probably collected the type.[3] It was described by the British naturalist William Theobald in 1868, who was employed by the Geological Survey of India at the time.
Habitat
[edit]The preferred natural habitat of E. tytleri is forests, at altitudes from sea level to 150 m (490 ft).[1] It can be found in native broadleaf forests, agricultural fields, coconut plantations, and around human dwellings and gardens.[1]
Description
[edit]A large species of skink, E. tytleri may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 15 cm (5.9 in). The tail is long, from 1.5 to 2.2 times SVL. Dorsally, it is bronzish brown. Ventrally, it is light yellow.[5] E. tytleri is thought to be the largest extant skink species native to the Indian subcontinent.[6]
Behavior
[edit]E. tytleri is crepuscular. It has been observed climbing tree trunks to a height of 3 m (9.8 ft), and is also active on the ground.[5]
Diet
[edit]E. tytleri preys upon insects, frogs, and small reptiles.[5]
Reproduction
[edit]The mode of reproduction of E. tytleri is unknown.[3][6]
Relationship with humans
[edit]While the forests to which E. tytleri lives appear to be shrinking as human use of its habitat increases, this species population does not appear to be in decline.[1] E. tytleri appears able to adapt to new, human-created habitats and is known to inhabit many human-used spaces.[1] Furthermore, this skink is not known to be utilized by people and does not appear to be under any specific threat.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Mohapatra P (2021). "Eutropis tytleri ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.TLTS.T172647A1358667.en. Accessed on 04 June 2022.
- ^ Theobald W (1868). "Catalogue of Reptiles in the Museum of the Asiatic Society of Bengal". Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta 37 (2) (extra number 146): 7-88. (Scincus tytleri, new species, p. 23).
- ^ a b c Eutropis tytleri at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 July 2014.
- ^ 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. (Mabuya tytleri, p. 269).
- ^ a b c Chandramouli SR, Amarasinghe AAT (2020). "On two poorly known, insular skinks, Eutropis tytleri (Theobald, 1868) and E. andamanensis (Smith, 1935) (Reptilia: Scincidae), endemic to the Andaman Islands, India". Taprobanica 9 (1): 31–38.
- ^ a b Das I (2002).
Further reading
[edit]- Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. ... Scincidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii 575 pp. Plates I-XL. (Mabuia tytleri, p. 187).
- Boulenger GA (1890). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London; Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xviii 541 pp. (Mabuia tytleri, pp. 191–192).
- Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Mabuya tytleri, p. 112).
- Smith MA (1935). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. II.—Sauria. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii 440 pp. Plate I 2 maps. (Mabuya tytleri, p. 270).