Riopa vosmaerii


Vosmer's writhing skink is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to India.

Etymology

The specific name, vosmaeri, is in honor of Dutch naturalist Arnout Vosmaer.

Geographic range and habitat

R. vosmaerii is found in India. Originally it was known only from the holotype. A second specimen was discovered in 2009 in an open scrub jungle in rocky habitat near Jaggayapet, Andhra Pradesh, some 170 years after the collection of the holotype.

Description

R. vosmaerii resembles L. lineata. However, L. vosmaerii has five digits on each front foot, where R. lineata has only four.