The osteology of the water skink, Lygosoma (Sphenomorphus) quoyii.

Abstract

The osteology of Lygosoma (Sphenomorphus) quoyii is described in detail from alizarin transparencies. The lizard is prevalent around Sydney and both juvenile and adult specimens were studied. Some comparisons are made with certain lacertilian skeletons described in the literature but the lack of osteological studies of other members of the genus Lygosoma and other genera of the Scincidae makes it difficult to assess the phylogenetic signifcance of the structures encounterd in the present study and impossible to establish the evolutionary position of L. quoyii within the Scincidae. Thus, no conclusions have been reached in this regard, but attention is drawn to those aspects of the skeleton of L. quoyii which may prove to be important phylogenetically.