Lygisaurus macfarlani (GÜNTHER, 1877)
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Higher Taxa | Scincidae, Eugongylinae (Eugongylini), Scincoidea, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | E: Translucent Litter-skink |
Synonym | Carlia macfarlani GÜNTHER 1877: 413 Lygisaurus macfarlani — COGGER 2000: 540 Carlia macfarlani — STUART -FOX et al. 2002 Lygisaurus macfarlani — DOLMAN & HUGALL 2008 |
Distribution | Australia (Queensland), SW Papua New Guinea Type locality: Islands of Torres Straits, Qld. INGRAM & COVACEVICH 1988 restricted the type locality to the Darnley/Murray Island group. |
Reproduction | oviparous (not imputed, fide Zimin et al. 2022) |
Types | Lectotype: BMNH 1946.8.16.49, designated by INGRAM & COVACEVICH 1988. Syntypes originally BMNH 1946. 8. 16. 49-51 |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A relatively small species of Carlia distinguished from other Papuan Carlia by the following combination of characters: scales smooth; size small (maximum SVL 39.6 mm); supralabials usually six; supraciliaries usually eight or nine; fewer than 10 supradigital scales on fourth toe, 17–26 lamellae under fourth toe (mean 5 21.5 6 0.12); 23–29 scale rows around midbody (mean 5 25.6 6 0.16); 38–47 paravertebral scales (mean 5 42.1 6 0.17); usually 3–7 distinct, sharply triangular ear lobules around margin of ear opening (Fig. 1B); dorsal and lateral surfaces uniformly pale brown or pale brown with series of dark brown stripes aligned in centers of scales, these stripes usually most conspicuous laterally; single dark brown spots typically present in centers of some or all ventral scales; temporals pale brown spotted with dark brown; and plates of dorsal scales translucent with dark brown posterior margins. Carlia macfarlani differs from species in the C. bicarinata complex and C. fusca complex in its smooth scales, small size, and only 8–9 supradigital scales on the fourth toe. Carlia macfarlani differs from C. novaeguineae in usually having a greater number of, and much better developed, ear lobules; a greater number of midbody scale rows (mean 5 25.6 6 0.16 in C. macfarlani vs. 23.6 6 0.27 in C. novaeguineae); a greater number of paravertebral scales (mean 5 42.1 6 0.17 in C. macfarlani vs. 37.3 6 0.31 in C. novaeguineae); in usually having dorsal and (especially) lateral color pattern of dark longitudinal stripes or rows of spots (although some specimens can be unpatterned); and in having rows of dark brown spots on the abdominal scales, at least posteriorly. Carlia macfarlani differs from the other Australian species of the C. novaeguineae complex as follows: from C. foliorum and C. timlowi in having a moveable lower eyelid (vs. eyelid fused to form a spectacle); from C. abscondita, C. laeve, C. malleolus, C. rococo, C. sesbrauna, C. tanneri, and C. zuma in usually having six (vs. seven) supralabials; and from C. aerata in having eight (vs. seven) supraciliaries and a round (vs. horizontally elongate) ear opening (Kraus 2007: 415). |
Comment | INGRAM & COVACEVICH 1988 removed Lygisaurus from synonymy with Carlia. Carlia novaeguineae has been synonymized with L. macfarlani but more recently considered as a valid species (Kraus 2007, Dolman & Hugall 2008). |
Etymology | Named after Rev. Samuel Macfarlane (1837-1911) a missionary who was originally a railway mechanic. |
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