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Ophiomorus punctatissimus (Limbless Skink / Toprak Kertenkelesi)

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Ophiomorus punctatissimus (Limbless Skink / Toprak Kertenkelesi)


Ophiomorus punctatissimus (Limbless Skink / Toprak Kertenkelesi) from Kaş, ANTALYA - 13.02.2011.

A small, shiny, cylindrically shaped, snake-like, legless lizard belonging the skink family (Scincidae) with a rather pointed snout, a total length of approx. 18 cm  and 18 (occasionally 20) rows of scales around mid-body. The tail lenght is approximately equal to the snout-vent length, that it is not easy to distinguish it from the body part. Typically cream, buff, or brown above, paler and greyer or flesh-coloured elsewhere. Usually there is a pattern of fine dark lines or rows of flecks which is best developed on the tail and weakest on the back. These markings are more obvious in young animals and especially on flanks and venter.

This species is distributed in Greece on the Peloponnese peninsula and on the Greek islands of Kythira in the Aegean Sea and the island of Kastelorizo (Megisti) of the southwestern Turkish coast, and also found in the South western parts of Turkey between Kalkan and Demre (Antalya province). About 10 related species live in south-west Asia (Please check Chalcides guentheri).

It often occurs in spring on loamy slopes with grass or some other low vegetation and scattered stones under which it is usually found. It can be found in olive groves. It prefers stones that are naturally half submerged and appears to go deeper into ground in dry weather. Occurs from the sea level up to 600 m. Burrows swiftly in loose soil and when disturbed, often moves conspicuously striped tail more than head.

References:1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips. 2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008]. 3. Franzen, M., Bußmann, M., Kordges, T. & Thiesmeier, B. (2008). Die Amphibien und Reptilien der Südwest-Turkei. Supplement der Zeitschrift für Feldherpetologie 14, Laurenti Verlag, Bielefeld, Germany, 328pp. 4. Arnold, N.E. (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe.Collins, London, UK, 288 pp. 


Author Bayram GÖÇMEN
Created on Sunday 13 February 2011
Posted on Monday 21 February 2011
Tags Antalya, TURKEY / TÜRKİYE
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