Typhlacontias brevipes

Typhlacontias brevipes, also known as FitzSimon's [sic] burrowing skink[3] or short blind dart skink,[2] is a species of skink endemic to the Namib Desert (Namibia).[2][3] It was described by Vivian FitzSimons in 1938.[2]

Typhlacontias brevipes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Typhlacontias
Species:
T. brevipes
Binomial name
Typhlacontias brevipes
Synonyms[2]
  • Fitzsimonsia brevipes (FitzSimons, 1938)

Etymology

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The species name is derived from the Latin words brevis, -e = short and pes, pedis = foot.[2]

Description

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These slender skinks have small eyes with no eyelids and no external ear openings.[3] The hindlimb rudiments are visible on either side of cloaca.[2] The body coloration varies from light buff to sulphur yellow. Vague stripes, formed by the scales, can occur along the back and upper flanks. The tail is blue-grey. They can reach a snout–vent length of 113 mm (4.4 in).[3]

Females are viviparous and give birth to up to three young.[3]

Ecology

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Typhlacontias brevipes typically occur on the leeward side of dunes in the roots of grass tufts found in semi-stable sand. They are active at night and in the cooler hours of the day when they forage for small insects like ants, termites, antlions, and beetles.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Bauer, A.M.; Becker, F. (2020). "Typhlacontias brevipes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T44979509A44979514. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T44979509A44979514.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Typhlacontias brevipes at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 7 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "FitzSimon's burrowing skink". Cardboard Box Travel Shop - Namibia. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
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