Nessia didactyla
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2021) |
| Two-toed Snake Skink | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Nessia |
| Species: | N. didactyla
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| Binomial name | |
| Nessia didactyla (Deraniyagala, 1934)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Nessia didactyla, also known commonly as the two-toed nessia[2] and the two-toed snakeskink,[3][4] is a species of skink, a lizard in the subfamily Scincinae of the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.[2]
Habitat and geographic distribution
[edit]A low hill to submountain skink species, N. didactyla is known from localities that lie at 500–1,000 m (1,600–3,300 ft) of elevation, including Polgahawela,[1] Billegama, and Dewatura.[citation needed] Its preferred natural habitat is forest, but it has also been found in coconut plantations and home gardens.[1]
Description
[edit]N. didactyla has 24–28 scale rows at midbody. The snout is broad and blunt. The fronto-nasal is larger than the rostral, but slightly smaller than the frontal. The lower eyelid is scaly. Each limb has two digits, hence the scientific and common names. The pre-anals are slightly enlarged. The dorsum is brown, each scale with a darker border. Ventrally, it is light brown.[citation needed]
Reproduction
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Wickramasinghe LJM, Ukuwela K, Vidanapathirana D (2021). "Nessia didactyla". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: htps://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T197204A123312032.en. Accessed on 19 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d Nessia didactyla at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Tetrapod Reptiles of Sri Lanka". Biodiversity of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ Somaweera, Ruchira (2004–2014). "Family Scincidae (Skinks)". SriLankanReptiles.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015.
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Further reading
[edit]- Deraniyagala PEP (1934). "Some New Fossorial Skinks of Ceylon". Ceylon Journal of Science 18: 231–233. (Acontias didactylus, new species).
- 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. (Nessia didactyla, new combination, p. 358).
- Somaweera R, Somaweera N (2009). Lizards of Sri Lanka, A Colour Guide with Field Keys. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Edition Chimaira / Serpents Tale. 304 pp. ISBN 978-3899734782.
- Taylor EH (1953). "A Review of the Lizards of Ceylon". University of Kansas Science Bulletin 35 (2): 1525–1585. (Nessia didactyla, p. 1577).
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