Lygosoma
| Lygosoma | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Lygosoma quadrupes | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Subfamily: | Lygosominae |
| Genus: |
Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1828 |
| Type species | |
|
Anguis quadrupes Linnaeus, 1766 |
|
| Species | |
|
About 40, see text |
|
About 40, see text
Lygosoma is a genus of lizards, commonly known as writhing skinks, which are members of the family Scincidae. Lygosoma is the type genus of the subfamily Lygosominae.
Species of Lygosoma are primarily found in India, but some occur in nearby regions, such as the Philippines.
The common name, writhing skinks, refers to the way these stubby-legged animals move, snake-like but slower and more awkwardly.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Lygosoma was used as a "wastebin taxon", to which almost every newly described skink was assigned.
The following species are recognized.
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Lygosoma.
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