Carlia ailanpalai (Zug, 2004)
Family: Scincidae Curious Skink Status: Invasive Description: This skink is a member of the "fusca" complex of morphologically similar Carlia sp. from New Guinea and was only recently recognized as a distinct species. Adults range from 46 to 59 mm SVL (Zug 2004). There are four digits on the hands and five on the feet. Juveniles and adults are uniformly brown dorsally and off white to grey ventrally. Adult males can be strikingly iridescent in the sun. Carlia can look superficially similar to several other species of skink. It can be differentiated from all other skinks in the Mariana Islands by having only four digits on each hand instead of five. Biology: This is an abundant ground dwelling species that occupies every habitat in the Mariana Islands. It is most common in secondary forest, disturbed areas and human modified habitats where it can reach amazing densities. This skink actively forages during the day and will investigate any small movement or disturbance, earning it the common name “curious skink”. It preys upon most invertebrates small enough to swallow and occasionally will eat other lizards as well (pers. obs). This lizard has been implicated in the decline of several of the native skinks (McCoid and Henke 1997). It is a primary food item of the snake Boiga irregularis on Guam. Range: The native range of C. ailanpalai is the Admiralty Islands. It was introduced in the 1960s to Mariana Islands and since that time has slowly spread. It is established on Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. It is common on Cocos Island and several of the small islets that fringe Guam. McCoid M. J., and S. E. Henke. 1997. The Role of Carlia cf. fusca (Scincidae) in the Decline of the Herptofauna of Guam, Mariana Islands. Report to the Biological Resource Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. Zug G. 2004. Systematics of the Carlia “fusca” Lizards (Squamata:Scincidae) of New Guinea and Nearby Islands |