Scincus

Taxobox
name = "Scincus"

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image_width = 240px
image_caption = Sandfish, "Scincus scincus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia (paraphyletic)
unranked_ordo = Sauria
ordo = Squamata (paraphyletic)
infraordo = Scincomorpha
familia = Scincidae
subfamilia = Scincinae
genus = "Scincus"
genus_authority = Laurenti, 1768
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = 3, see text

"Scincus" is a genus of skinks (family Scincidae). All three species are typical desert inhabitants, living in sandy and dune-like areas, with a hot and dry climate. They can be found from Arabia to the Sahara desert.

Thius is the type genus of the subfamily Scincinae. As that group appears to be paraphyletic and is in need of revision, it is as of yet undetermined which skink genera are closely enough related to "Scincus" to be retained in the Scincinae.(Austin & Arnold 2006).

Species
*"Scincus hemprichii"
*"Scincus mitranus", Eastern skink
*"Scincus scincus", Sandfish

References

* (2006): Using ancient and recent DNA to explore relationships of extinct and endangered "Leiolopisma" skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae) in the Mascarene islands. "Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution" 39(2): 503–511. doi|10.1016/j.ympev.2005.12.011 (HTML abstract)