Günther's dwarf burrowing skink

Günther's dwarf burrowing skink (Scelotes guentheri), also known commonly as Günther's burrowing skink, was a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species was endemic to Natal, South Africa.[1][2]

Günther's dwarf burrowing skink
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Scelotes
Species:
†S. guentheri
Binomial name
†Scelotes guentheri
Boulenger, 1887

Description

S. guentheri is known from only one specimen which was collected in 1886.[3] It has greatly reduced limbs. The forelimbs are entirely absent, and the hind limbs retain only two digits.[2] This holotype has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 9.8 cm (3.9 in), and a tail length of 7.0 cm (2.8 in).[4]

Etymology

The specific name, guentheri, and the common names are in honor of German-born British herpetologist Albert Günther.[2][5]

Conservation status

S. guentheri is considered to be extinct.[1]

References
  1. Bauer, A.M.; Conradie, W.; Marais, J. (2018). "Scelotes guentheri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T44979051A115670551. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T44979051A115670551.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. Scelotes guentheri at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 18 January 2015.
  3. Branch (2004).
  4. Boulenger (1887).
  5. Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Scelotes guentheri, p. 110).

Further reading
  • 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. (Scelotes guentheri, new species, pp. 414–415 + Plate XXIV, figures 3, 3a, 3b, 3c).
  • Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Scelotes guentheri, p. 142).



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