Ristella travancorica

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Ristella travancorica
Cat skink.jpg

Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Ristella
Species:
R. travancorica
Binomial name
Ristella travancorica
(Beddome, 1870)
Synonyms
  • Ateuchosaurus travancoricus Beddome, 1870 (part)
  • Ristella travancorica
    — Beddome, 1871 (part)
  • Ristella travancorica
    — Boulenger, 1890
  • Ristella travancoricus — Das, 1996 [2][3]

Ristella travancorica, commonly known as the Travancore cat skink or the Travancore ristella, is a species of skink endemic to the Western Ghats in India.

Description[]

Ahaetulla nasuta preying on Ristella.

Ear-opening not or but slightly larger than the nostril; third to sixth upper labials below the eye. Dorsal scales sharply bicarinate; 24, rarely 26, scales round the middle of the body. Otherwise as in R. rurkii. Reddish brown above, each dorsal scale usually with a dark brown dot; usually a rather indistinct darker lateral band; lower surfaces uniform whitish. From snout to vent 1.5 in (3.8 cm).[2]

Geographic range[]

R. travancorica is found in India, in the Western Ghats, in the Ponmudi Hills (western Tamil Nadu state), and the Tirunelveli Hills (Kerala state).

Head of Travancore cat skink.

[4]

Reproduction[]

This species is oviparous. Egg laying coincides with the southwestern monsoons. Adult females lay clutches of 2 eggs under dead leaves and rocks. Each egg measures 11 mm (0.43 in) x 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in).[4]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Srinivasulu, C.; Srinivasulu, B. (2013). "Ristella travancorica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T172584A1346609. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T172584A1346609.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Boulenger GA. 1890. The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xviii + 541 pp. (Ristella travancorica, p. 216).
  3. ^ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  4. ^ a b Das I. 2002. A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Ristella travancoricus, p. 113).

References[]

  • Beddome RH. 1870. Descriptions of some new lizards from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med. Sci. 1: 30–35. (Ateuchosaurus travancoricus, p. 33).
  • Boulenger GA. 1887. Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III., ... Scincidæ, ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I – XL. (Ristella travancorica, p. 358 + Plate XXIX, Figures 2, 2a).
  • Smith MA. 1935. The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. II.—Sauria. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 440 pp. + Plate I + 2 maps. (Ristella travancorica, pp. 331–332).


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