Chalcides minutus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Scincidae
Genus: Chalcides
Species:
C. minutus
Binomial name
Chalcides minutus
Caputo, 1993

Chalcides minutus,[1][2] or the small three-toed skink, is a species of skink found in northeastern Morocco, northwestern Algeria, and on the Spanish island of Melilla.[1]

Recent molecular studies have revealed that C. minutus could be a composite of species with individuals from the type locality forming long-independent lineage and the remaining most closely related to Chalcides mertensi.[3][4]

Description

Chalcides minutus is the smallest species of its genus, reaching 115 mm (4.5 in) in snout–vent length. Females of the species give birth to live young through ovoviviparity.[2]

Habitat and conservation

Chalcides minutus is locally common. It is most often found in damp, sunny forests or grasslands with thick vegetation, but it can also be found in relatively dry areas, and its population is most likely decreasing. It is threatened by overgrazing and habitat destruction due to encroaching agricultural interests.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mateo, J.A.; Joger, U.; Pleguezuelos, J.; Slimani, T.; El Mouden, E.H.; Geniez, P.; Martinez Solano, I. (2016) [errata version of 2009 assessment]. "Chalcides minutus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009: e.T61481A86153110. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T61481A12476589.en. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  2. 1 2 Chalcides minutus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 15 January 2024.
  3. ↑ Carranza, S.; Arnold, E. N.; Geniez, Ph.; Roca, J.; Mateo, J. A. (March 2008). "Radiation, multiple dispersal and parallelism in the skinks, Chalcides and Sphenops (Squamata: Scincidae), with comments on Scincus and Scincopus and the age of the Sahara Desert". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 46 (3): 1071–1094. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2007.11.018. PMID 18276164.
  4. ↑ Montero-Mendieta, S.; Ferrer, J.; Ait Hammou, M.; Dahmani, W.; Sanuy, D.; Camarasa, S. (2017-01-30). "Another record or a new taxon? A candidate species of Chalcides Laurenti, 1768, in North Africa (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae)". Herpetozoa. 29: 155–161.


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