Lygosoma


Lygosoma is a genus of lizards, commonly known as writhing skinks, which are members of the family Scincidae. Lygosoma is the type genus of the subfamily Lygosominae.

Geographic range

of Lygosoma are found in India to southeast Asia.

Behavior

The common name, writhing skinks, refers to the way these stubby-legged animals move, snake-like but slower and more awkwardly.

Taxonomy

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Lygosoma was used as a "wastebin taxon", to which almost every newly described skink was assigned.

Species

The following species are recognized.
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Lygosoma.