Deignan tree skink

Description

Lankascincus deignani,commonly known as Deignan's Lanka skink,is a species of skink endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.It is named for the American ornithologist Herbert Girton Deignan,being originally named Sphenomorphus deignani by Kansas University's Edward H.Taylor,based on a specimen collected by Deignan from Gannoruwa Mountain on November 12,1944.L.deignani is a rather large and robust Lanka skink.Midbody scales rows 24-28.Lamellae under fourth toe counts 16-20.Dorsum olive brown.Thick dark lateral stripe,edged above by a brownish yellow stripe,and below by 3-4 gray stripes extending from edge of orbit to tail-tip.Venter cream white or pale pink.Black spots on the upper jaw.