Lamprolepis smaragdina

The emerald tree skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina), sometimes (ambiguously) known as "green tree skink" or "emerald green skink". It is a non-threatened species although it not commonly seen but it is however, becoming more and more popular in the exotic pet trade. In the Philippines, it is called Tabili in the Cebuano vernacular.

Lamprolepis smaragdina
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Lamprolepis
Species:
L. smaragdina
Binomial name
Lamprolepis smaragdina
(Lesson, 1830)

Names

It is known as 'kuka' in the Kotos Amarasi language of West Timor, Indonesia.[1]

Evolutionary genetics

Linkem, et al. (2013) found that the most divergent clades of L. smaragdina were in Sulawesi. Oceanic populations represent the most recent expansions. The origin of populations on most islands is attributed primarily to waif dispersals prior to human colonization, although human-aided dispersals cannot be ruled out for some populations.[2]

Geographical distribution

It is found in arboreal forests of Taiwan, Palawan, Luzon and Sulu archipelagoes in the Philippines, New Guinea as well as the Indo-Australian archipelago and down south to the Solomon and Santa Cruz islands.

The emerald tree skink is frequently found in palm plantations in disturbed coastal areas.[2]

Feeding habits and diet

It is mostly carnivorous, feeding on insects and other small creatures, although occasionally it may devour fruit and leafy plants. In some areas, it even steals dog food.

Behavior

They prefer bare tree trunks without climbing plants. Several have even been sighted on minute islands with very little greenery, the record being four palm trees. It is a highly active species. Always on the move and is very squirmish, if handled. They are an unaggressive species and sometimes observed to form little groups to gang up on bigger prey.

Reproduction and breeding habits

Courtship ritual is the same as most lizards. It as an oviparous species meaning it lays eggs rather than bear live young like most members of the skink family do. Eggs are usually laid in clusters of two. They can be easily bred in captivity and may live an average 7–12 years in captivity.

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References
  1. LexiRumah 2.2.3, ‘tokay gecko’/‘tokek’.
  2. Charles W. Linkem, Rafe M. Brown, Cameron D. Siler, Ben J. Evans, Christopher C. Austin, Djoko T. Iskandar, Arvin C. Diesmos, Jatna Supriatna, Noviar Andayani and Jimmy A. McGuire. "Stochastic faunal exchanges drive diversification in widespread Wallacean and Pacific island lizards (Squamata: Scincidae: Lamprolepis smaragdina)", Journal of Biogeography (40): 507–520, 2013, doi:10.1111/jbi.12022
  • "Green Tree Skinks". Geckos Unlimited. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  • O'Shea, Mark. "Emerald Tree Skink". Reptilechannel.com. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  • Greer A.E., 1970, The relationships of the skinks referred to the genus Dasia. Breviora 348:1-30.
  • McCoy M., 1980, Reptiles of the Solomon Islands. Wau Ecology Handbook No.7. vi+80.
  • Mys B., 1988, The zoogeography of the scincid lizards from North Papua New Guinea (Reptilia: Scincidae). I. The distribution of the species. Bulletin de L'Institute Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique. 58;127-183.
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