San Lucan Skink
Encyclopedia
The San Lucan Skink, Eumeces lagunensis, is a skink
(a type of lizard
) native to the Baja California peninsula
.
Together with the Western Skink
(E. skiltonianus), Gilbert's Skink
(E. gilberti), and the Four-lined Asiatic Skink (E. quadrilineatus), the San Lucan Skink belongs to the so-called "skiltonianus group". The exact taxonomy within this group is being questioned and may need revision following DNA
analysis research.
The San Lucan Skink occurs only on the southernmost tip of Baja California, in the mountains around La Paz
. They tend to nest in the same areas as Western skinks, and are visibly similar.
Skink
Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae. Together with several other lizard families, including Lacertidae , they comprise the superfamily or infraorder Scincomorpha...
(a type of lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
) native to the Baja California peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
.
Together with the Western Skink
Western Skink
The Western Skink is a small, smooth-scaled lizard with relatively small limbs, measuring about 100 to 200 mm long. It is one of five species of lizards in Canada. Western skinks are very adaptable. They spend much of their day basking in the sun. Their diet ranges widely, including spiders...
(E. skiltonianus), Gilbert's Skink
Gilbert's Skink
Gilbert's Skink is a heavy-bodied medium-sized lizard of the family of skinks living in the south-western United States. It grows to about 7 to 12 cm total length.- Taxonomy :...
(E. gilberti), and the Four-lined Asiatic Skink (E. quadrilineatus), the San Lucan Skink belongs to the so-called "skiltonianus group". The exact taxonomy within this group is being questioned and may need revision following DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
analysis research.
The San Lucan Skink occurs only on the southernmost tip of Baja California, in the mountains around La Paz
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
. They tend to nest in the same areas as Western skinks, and are visibly similar.