Leeway Corucia Research Center (LCRC)


It has been mentioned that the extinct Scincidae species: Macroscincus coctei (underlined)laid eggs (Andreone, 1998). However, if one looks at photographs of Macroscincus coctei(Pether,2003 -Reptiles Magazine "in search of Macroscincus)pickled specimens of this species show a 'belly - button slit' indicative of viviparous matrotrophy. Perhaps Macroscincus was capable of both. Perhaps Macroscincus coctei utilized both methods. It is not without precident. In the January 2003 issue of Reptiles magazine, Bill Love mentions the Sheen Skink (eugongylus albofasciolatus) from the Solomon islands using both forms of reproduction. Not only the species but a single Sheen female can switch from Viviparism to Oviparism and vica versa. Several Museums supposedly had eggs and individual Macroscincus specimens by the turn of the century. Dr. Andreone reported Macroscincus eggs are housed at the Museo Regionali Di Torino.

Brian
LCRC

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