Scincomorpha

Scincus ( Scincus scincus )

The Skinkartigen ( Scincomorpha ) are a taxon Squamata ( Squamata ). The belonging to them lizards ( Lacertilia ) worldwide live in the tropics and subtropics mostly on the ground and often in arid areas. Few Skinkartige can climb and live in trees. Among them there are snake-like species with reduced limbs. All Scincomorphen have a tongue that is covered by superimposed, flat scales.

System

Most following families are counted as Skinkartigen:

• Scincoidea Skinks ( Scincidae )
• Belt lizards ( Cordylidae )
• Schildechsen ( Gerrhosauridae )
• Night lizards ( Xantusiidae )

• Lizards ( Lacertidae )
• Rail lizards ( Teiidae )
• Zwergtejus ( Gymnophthalmidae )

In addition, some scientists argue that including the legless amphisbaenians ( amphisbaenians ) and snake crawl ( Dibamidae ) to the Scincomorpha.

Molecular biological studies now reject the monophyly of Scincomorpha. The snake crawls are as primitive group at the base of squamate - Kladogramms. The Real lizards ( Lacertidae ) are no longer considered Scincomorphe but as a sister group to amphisbaenians and placed in the new taxon Lacertibaenia with them. With the rail lizards and the Zwergtejus, which are also not expected to Skinkartigen, they form another new taxon, the Laterata. The remaining Skinkartigen, the skinks, lizards and belt Night lizards, the last two are be sister, form the new taxon Scinciformata, which corresponds to the previous superfamily Scincoidea.

This results in the following cladogram:

• Scinciformata Skinks ( Scincidae )
• Cordylomorpha Night lizards ( Xantusiidae )
• Cordyloidea Belt lizards ( Cordylidae )
• Schildechsen ( Gerrhosauridae )