Miriam's skink

Miriam's skink (Brachymeles miriamae) is a species of lizard in the subfamily Scincinae of the family Scincidae (skinks). The species is endemic to Thailand.

Taxonomy

In 1972 described Miriam's skink as a new species in a new genus, giving it the scientific name Davewakeum miriamae. In 2011 Siler et al. included the genus Davewakeum in the genus Brachymeles, creating the new combination, Brachymeles miriamae . In 2015 Chan-ard et al. returned the species to the genus Davewakeum. In 2022 et al. reassigned the species to the genus Brachymeles.

Etymology

The specific name, miriamae, is in honor of Miriam Heyer, who collected the holotype, and is married to American herpetologist .

The generic name, Davewakeum, is in honor of American herpetologist David B. Wake.

Geographic range

Miriam's skink is found in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Brachymeles miriamae is forest.

Behavior

Brachymeles miriamae is terrestrial and fossorial.

Description

Miriam's skink is limbless.

Reproduction

Brachymeles miriamae is viviparous.

References

Further reading

• Chan-ard, Tanya; ; (2015). A Field Guide to the Reptiles of Thailand. New York: Oxford University Press. 352 pp. .
• (1972). "A New Limbless Skink (Reptilia: Scincidae) from Thailand With Comments on the Generic Status of the Limbless Skinks of Southeast Asia". Fieldiana Zoology 58 (10): 109–129. (Davewakeum, new genus, p. 124, Figures 4–5; D. miriamae, new species, pp. 124–128, Figure 7).