Anomalopus mackayi


Anomalopus mackayi, commonly known as the five-clawed worm skink, the long-legged worm skink, and Mackay's burrowing skink, is a species of smooth-scaled burrowing skink, a lizard in the subfamily Sphenomorphinae of the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to eastern Australia.

Etymology

The specific name, mackayi, is in honor of Australian herpetologist Roy D. Mackay.

Behaviour and habitat

Anomalopus mackayi generally burrows in areas with black soil and few trees.

Description

Anomalopus mackayi usually grows to a snout-to-vent length of about. A. mackayi is similar to A. leuckartii but with distinctly didactyle hindlimbs, a central dark spot within each individual scale, and is yellow-green below with darker flecks.

Reproduction

Adult females of Anomalopus mackayi give birth to live young by ovoviviparity.

Conservation status

Anomalopus mackayi is listed as "Least Concern" under the 2018 IUCN Red List, and as "Endangered" under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992.