文獻來源: Wagner P, Böhme W, Pauwel OSG, Schimitz GP. 2009. A review of the African red–flanked skinks of the Lygosoma fernandi (BURTON, 1836) species group (Squamata: Scincidae) and the role of climate change in their speciation. Zootaxa 2050: 1–30 (2009) [摘要下載]火燄石龍子是台灣爬蟲寵物市場上相當常見的物種, 不過其鑑定與學名的使用卻相當混亂, 其學名通常以Lygosoma fernandi, Riopa fernandi或Mochlus fernandi的形式呈現. 這篇文章根據12S與16S mtDNA序列的分析認為火燄石龍子種群根本不屬於這幾個屬, 而應該重新回復至Lepidothyris屬中, 也就是說, 火燄石龍子的有效學名組合應該是Lepidothyris fernandi. 但是市售的火燄石龍子倒底是那一個分類群呢? 根據這篇文章的見解, 原名亞種L. f.f.產於喀麥隆至奈及利亞, 而L. f. harlani則分布在獅子山, 象牙海岸, 賴比瑞亞至迦納的幾內亞灣以北區域. 兩者最主要的差別除了鱗片數目等量化特徵的差異外, 主要的鑑識特徵則是前肢與後肢間黑色縱紋的數目. L.f.f.約在10條以上, 而L.f.harlani則在9-10條間. 台灣市面上流通的個體應該是那一個亞種則應該要仔細的鑑定了.
Abstract
We present an analysis of the morphometric and genetic variability of Lygosoma fernandi. Geographical variation and taxonomic consequences are discussed and Lepidothyris Cope, 1892 is resurrected as genus for the L. fernandi species group. The results show that Lepidothyris fernandi sensu lato is a species complex, which comprises an eastern and a western species. Each of them has a further subspecies of its own, and a third distinct species is present in southwestern Central Africa. The morphological and genetic differences between these taxa are analyzed resulting in the description of two new taxa, and the resurrection of two more taxa.
圖片連結: natureswindow.dk (credit: Rune Midtgaard)
