Friday, February 10, 2012

[Herpetology • 2002] Lipinia nitens (Peters, 1871): Discovery of a second specimen and a Redescription of the Holotype | Gunung Pueh, western Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo


photo by Indraneil Das from reptile-database.reptarium.cz


Abstract
The  rare Bornean skink, Lygosoma nitens Peters (1871), previously known only from the holotype of unknown provenance in Sarawak, is reviewed on the basis of the type and a new specimen from Gunung Pueh, western Sarawak. The species is redescribed and allocated to the genus Lipinia. Lipinia nitens lacks an external ear opening, having in its place a scaly dimple; only six supralabials, with the fourth subocular; longitudinal scale rows at midbody 22; a distinct colour pattern, with dark paravertebral
and lateral stripes, especially on the anterior of the trunk.
Key words: Lygosoma nitens, Lipinia nitens, systematics, Sarawak, Gunung Pueh.


Gunung Pueh, Kuching Division, western Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)

Das, I. & Greer, A.E. 2002. Lipinia nitens (Peters, 1871): discovery of a second specimen and a redescription of the holotype. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 50 (2): 483-486