Macroscincus
| Macroscincus coctei | |
|---|---|
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| Illustration, 1885 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria or Lacertilia |
| Infraorder: | Scincomorpha |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Macroscincus |
| Species: | M. coctei |
| Binomial name | |
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Macroscincus coctei (A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1839) |
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| Synonyms | |
Macroscincus coctei, also called the Cape Verde giant skink, lagarto, or Cocteau's skink, is a species of lizard, a reptile that was at one time known to inhabit the islets of Branco and Raso in the Cape Verde islands of the Atlantic Ocean, rendered deserts by human-caused habitat destruction. No Macroscincus coctei has been observed since early in the 20th century.
The specific name, coctei, is in honor of French physician and zoologist Jean Théodore Cocteau (1798-1838).
It has been found through mitochrondrial DNA sequences that M. coctei was most closely related to the skink genus Mabuya.
M. coctei was very large for a skink. Adults could attain a snout to vent length (SVL) of 32 cm (13 in), and the cylindrical tail was as long as the head and body.
Macroscincus was largely herbivorous, but whether out of necessity with deteriorating conditions or from opportunistic advantage, occasionally became more carnivorous as individuals would occasionally eat the young from nesting shore birds. German herpetologists had noted Macroscincus consuming birds in captivity in the early 20th century.
One interesting aspect of this species is that it possessed a transparent lower eyelid; possibly to spot predators from below.
From the examination of preserved specimens, it appears that this species had a "belly button" slit, indicating viviparism. However, there are also reports that indicate this species was an egg layer.
Macroscincus is considered unique among the Scincidae in having tooth crowns which are labiolingually compressed and multicuspate.
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