Abstract
In spite of being one of the most diverse group of lizards, skinks are relatively poorly known to most herpetologists. This article is an attempt to introduce readers to the fascinating world of skinks with an emphasis on diversity within the Western Ghats. Given their distribution and the unique history of the Indian subcontinent, I also pose some hitherto unasked questions on the origins of the endemic skinks of India.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Suggested Reading
M S Mani, Ecology and biogeography in India, Dr W Junk Publishers, 1974.
A Datta-Roy and K P Karanth, The Out-of-India hypothesis: What do molecules suggest?, Journal of Biosciences, Vol.34, No.5, 687–697, 2009.
A Datta-Roy, M Singh, C Srinivasulu and K P Karanth, Phylogeny of the Asian Eutropis (Squamata: Scincidae) reveals an ‘into India’ endemic Indian radiation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Vol.63, No.3, 817–824, 2012.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Aniruddha Datta-Roy is a UGC-Dr D S Kothari Postdoctoral fellow at Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science. He is interested in the systematics and biogeography of Indian skinks and uses molecular tools to understand the historical events leading up to the current diversification patterns of Indian reptiles.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Datta-Roy, A. Nature watch. Reson 19, 753–763 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-014-0081-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-014-0081-3