Nomenclature of supra-generic units within the Family Scincidae (Squamata)

Abstract

The modern classification of skinks is based on a nomenclature that dates to the 1970s. However, there are a number of earlier names in the family group that have been overlooked by recent workers. These names are identified and their validity with respect to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature investigated, along with their type genera. In most cases, use of these names to supplant junior synonyms in modern day use is avoidable by use of the Reversal of Precedence articles of the Code, but the names remain available in case of future divisions at the tribe and subtribe level. Other names are unavailable due to homonymy, either of their type genera or the stems from similar but non-homonymous type genera. However, the name Egerniini is replaced by Tiliquini, due to a limited timespan of use of Egerniini. A new classification of the Family Scincidae is proposed, providing a more extensive use of Code-regulated levels of classification, including tribes and subtribes, and a detailed synonymy provided for each taxonomic unit.

Evolution of diel activity patterns in skinks (Squamata: Scincidae), the world's second‐largest family of terrestrial vertebrates

“…To explore patterns of diel activity in different skink clades, we follow the higher order classification of skinks of Shea (2021), which recognizes three subfamilies of skinks: Acontiinae, Scincinae, and Lygosominae, the latter of which is comprised of seven tribes: Lygosomini, Ateuchosaurini, Tiliquini, Eugongylini, Ristellini, Sphenomorphini, and Mabuyini. However, we note that whereas most published phylogenies place Eugongylus as the earliest branching lineage within Eugongylini (e.g., Pyron et al 2013), the phylogeny we use (Zheng and Wiens 2016) has Eugongylus nested within Sphenomorphini, which also leads to Lygosomini being paraphyletic.…”

“…However, we note that whereas most published phylogenies place Eugongylus as the earliest branching lineage within Eugongylini (e.g., Pyron et al 2013), the phylogeny we use (Zheng and Wiens 2016) has Eugongylus nested within Sphenomorphini, which also leads to Lygosomini being paraphyletic. Therefore, we treat Eugongylus as a member of Sphenomorphini for the purposes of this analysis following Zheng and Wiens (2016), although recognizing that the evidence for this placement is weak (Shea 2021). This placement is used for the sake of convenience and does not represent any taxonomic changes or decisions.…”

Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: an underexplored biodiversity hotspot

“…All skinks in the region belong to the subfamily Lygosominae, and within this, most belong to the tribes Eugongylini and Sphenomorphini (Fig. 3), the two largest tribes in the subfamily (Chapple et al 2021;Shea 2021). There are also several species from the tribe Tiliquini (most prominently crocodile skinks of the genus Tribolonotus, endemic to the region), two species of the tribe Mabuyini (one of which, Eutropis palauensis, is endemic), and a single species from the tribe Lygosomini (Lamprolepis smaragdina).…”

“…To explore patterns in threat status in the region, we compared IUCN threat categories. For each species we recorded its tribe, taxonomic authority, and year of description (Chapple et al 2021;Shea 2021;Uetz et al 2021). We then used the 'iucn_summary' and 'iucn_status' functions from the taxize package (Chamberlain and Szöcs 2013;Chamberlain et al 2020) within the R data analysis platform v4.1.0 (R Core Team 2021) to query the IUCN Red List for the Red List status of all species in our list.…”

Die on this hill? A new monotypic, microendemic and montane vertebrate genus from the Australian Wet Tropics

“…Australia's most diverse endemic vertebrate radiation is the sphenomorphin skinks (subfamily Lygosominae, tribe Sphenomorphini; Shea, 2021). The global radiation of Sphenomorphini comprises approximately 600 recognised species, of which over 270 species occur in Australia (Uetz et al, 2021).…”