Silvascincus murrayi


Silvascincus murrayi, also known commonly as the blue-speckled forest-skink and Murray's skink, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Sphenomorphinae of the family Scincidae. The species is native to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.

Etymology

The specific name, murrayi, is in honor of Canadian oceanographer, John Murray.

Description

Adults of Silvascincus murrayi have an average snout-to-vent length of about. The body is robust. Dorsally, it is golden brown to coppery brown, with black scale edges and black flecks. The flanks are black with yellow dots and fine bluish white speckles. Ventrally, it is pale yellow.

Geographic distribution

Silvascincus murrayi is found in extreme eastern Australia, in northeastern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Silvascincus murrayi is forest.

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of Silvacincus murrayi has been described as viviparous and as ovoviviparous. Litter size is three to five neonates.