Sphenomorphus bignelli explained

Sphenomorphus bignelli is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Solomon Islands.

Etymology

The specific name, bignelli, is in honor of Charles Robert Bignell (1892–1964), who was a planter in the Solomon Islands.^[1]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of S. bignelli is forest, at altitudes of 150–.

Description

A small species for its genus, S. bignelli is dark reddish brown dorsally, and it is pale yellow ventrally. The holotype has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 3.3cm (01.3inches) and a total length of 6.8cm (02.7inches).^[2]

Behavior

S. bignelli is diurnal and terrestrial. It is not fossorial, but does hide in leaf litter and under fallen logs.

Diet

S. bignelli preys upon insects and their larvae.

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of S. bignelli is unknown.

Further reading

• McCoy M (2015). A Field Guide to the Reptiles of the Solomon Islands (pdf). Kuranda, Queensland, Australia: Michael McCoy. 137 pp.
• Schmidt KP (1932). "Reptiles and Amphibians from the Solomon Islands". Field Museum of Natural History, Zoological Series 18 (9): 175–190. (Sphenomorphus bignelli, new species, pp. 183–184).

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
2. [Karl Patterson Schmidt|Schmidt KP]