DIAGNOSIS OF THE LERISTA BIPES SPECIES-GROUP (LACERTILIA SCINCIDAE), WITH A DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES AND AN UPDATED DIAGNOSIS OF THE GENUS

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract
The bipes species-group of Lerista is diagnosed; its most significant feature is a reduction in the number of cervical vertebrae from eight to seven. A new species in the group is described as L. praefrontalis; it is unique in the group in having retained prefrontal scales and in having lost one phalange in the fourth toe of the pes. An updated key is provided for the bipes group. The genus Lerista is rediagnosed vis-a-vis the Sphenomorphus group of lygosomine skinks.