Scelotes fitzsimonsi explained

Scelotes fitzsimonsi, commonly known as Fitzsimons' dwarf burrowing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is indigenous to southern Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, fitzsimonsi, is in honor of South African herpetologist (Mr.) Vivian Frederick Maynard FitzSimons.^[1]

Description

S. fitzsimonsi has neither front legs nor back legs. Dorsally, it is light bronze on the body and bluish gray on the tail. Ventrally, it is greyish white. Adults have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of . The tail length is equal to or slightly greater than SVL.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

S. fitzsimonsi is found in Mozambique and South Africa.

The preferred natural habitat of S. fitzsimonsi is coastal dune forest, up to an altitude of .

Reproduction

S. fitzsimonsi is ovoviviparous.

Further reading

• Bates MF, Branch WR, Bauer AM, Burger M, Marais J, Alexander GJ, de Villiers MS (2014). Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). xvii + 485 pp. . (Scelotes fitzsimonsi, p. 274).
• Broadley DG (1994). "The genus Scelotes Fitzinger (Reptilia: Scincidae) in Mozambique, Swaziland and Natal, South Africa". Annals of the Natal Museum 35: 237–259. (Scelotes fitzsimonsi, new species).

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
2. [William Roy Branch|Branch, Bill]