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Eutropis tytleri

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eutropis tytleri
Near Shoalbay, Andaman Islands
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Eutropis
Species:
E. tytleri
Binomial name
Eutropis tytleri
(Theobald, 1868)[2]
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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E. tytleri preys upon insects, frogs, and small reptiles.[5]

Reproduction

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The mode of reproduction of E. tytleri is unknown.[3][6]

Relationship with humans

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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).
  3. ^ a b c Eutropis tytleri at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 July 2014.
  4. ^ 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).
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b Das I (2002).

Further reading

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  • 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).