Carlia triacantha (MITCHELL, 1953)
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Higher Taxa | Scincidae, Eugongylinae (Eugongylini), Scincoidea, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | E: Desert Rainbow-skink |
Synonym | Leiolopisma triacantha MITCHELL 1953: 88 Leiolopisma triacantha — KLUGE 1963 Carlia triacantha — COGGER 1983: 140 Carlia monsolgaensis WELLS & WELLINGTON 1985: 24 (nom. nud.) Carlia mysteria WELLS & WELLINGTON 1985: 24 (nom. nud.) Carlia triacantha — COGGER 2000: 401 Carlia triacantha — DOLMAN & HUGALL 2008 Carlia triacantha — AFONSO-SILVA et al. 2017: 16 |
Distribution | Australia (Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia) Type locality: Adelaide River, N. T. (−13.183, 131.1) |
Reproduction | oviparous |
Types | Holotype: SAMA R2697 |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Species morphologically distinguished from congeners by having three strong keels in scales, prefrontals more often in contact or very narrowly separated and usually six supraciliaries. Although more work is still needed to find unambiguously diagnostic traits between this species and C. isostricantha sp. nov., C. triacantha are mostly smaller (mean 36.55 mm vs. 40.07 mm), with shorter relative head length (mean 7.24 mm vs. 8.25 mm) and fewer ear lobules (usually 6 vs. 9, Fig. 5B). Geographically diagnosis from C. isostricantha sp. nov., possible in the centre of Australia, particularly Pilbara and Macdonald ranges region (AFONSO-SILVA et al. 2017: 16). Additional details (803 characters) are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us for details. |
Comment | Synonymy: following INGRAM & COVACEVICH 1989. |
Etymology | Presumably named after the Greek trias (three) plus acantha (thorn), referring to the three keels on the dorsal scales of this species, that project from the posterior margin of the scales. (G. Shea, pers. comm., 9 Feb 2024) |
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