Scelotes duttoni is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique.[1][2]

Scelotes duttoni
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Scelotes
Species:
S. duttoni
Binomial name
Scelotes duttoni
Broadley, 1990

Etymology

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The specific name, duttoni, is in honor of South African ecologist Paul Dutton.[3]

Habitat

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The preferred natural habitat of S. duttoni is the supralittoral zone and dunes, at altitudes of 1–25 m (3.3–82.0 ft).[1]

Description

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S. duttoni has no front legs, only vestigial buds. Each back leg has only two digits, the inner digit much longer than the outer.[2] Adults have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in).[4] The tail length is slightly shorter than (SVL). Dorsally, S. duttoni is blackish, with a pale dorsolateral line on each side.[2]

Reproduction

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S. duttoni is ovoviviparous.[2] Litter size is two or three young. Each newborn measures 4.5–5.0 cm (1.8–2.0 in) in total length (including tail).[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Conradie, W.; Verburgt, L.; Farooq, H.; Tolley, K.A.; Alexander, G.J.; Raimundo, A.; Sardinha, C.I.V. (2019). "Scelotes duttoni ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T44979096A44979104. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T44979096A44979104.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Scelotes duttoni at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 20 October 2020.
  3. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Scelotes duttoni, p. 78).
  4. ^ a b Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Scelotes duttoni, p. 144).

Further reading

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  • Broadley DG (1990). "The herpetofaunas of the islands off the coast of South Moçambique". Arnoldia (Zimbabwe) 9 (35): 469–493. (Scelotes duttoni, new species).
  • Broadley DG (1994). "The genus Scelotes Fitzinger (Reptilia: Scincidae) in Mozambique, Swaziland and Natal, South Africa". Annals of the Natal Museum 35: 237–259.