Janetaescincus

Janetaescincus is an endemic to the Seychelles Skinkgattung. It consists of the types Janetaescincus veseyfitzgeraldi and Janetaescincus braueri that were originally assigned to the genera Amphiglossus and Scelotes. The American herpetologist Allen Greer Eddy created this genus in 1970 and named it after his younger sister Janet. Some authors, such as the British zoologist Anthony Cheke keep Janetaescincus for mono generic with Janetaescincus braueri the only kind but this is not universally recognized.

Features

Janetaescincus has similarities with the genera Gongylomorphus and Pamelaescincus. Of all the other Skinkgattungen to Janetaescincus differs in that the palatine bone and the palatine branches are limited to the wing strut rear. From the genus Gongylomorphus to Janetaescincus differs around midbody ( 22-24 in Janetaescincus, 30 to 38 at Gongylomorphus ) and by the number of fingers (four in Janetaescincus, five at Gongylomorphus ) in the number of scale rows. In Janetaescincus also lacks the vertex plate and the glasses on the lower eyelid. The round outer ear opening is smaller at Janetaescincus than Gongylomorphus and Pamelaescincus.

Distribution, habitat and status

Janetaescincus braueri occurs on Mahé and Silhouette, Janetaescincus veseyfitzgeraldi on Mahé, Silhouette, Curieuse, Félicité, La Digue and Fregate. Both species inhabit pristine forests and are highly endangered due to predation by introduced Large Tenreks and by habitat loss.