Re. 56. MABUIA

 

Phylum : Chordata

Class   : Reptilia

Order  : Squamata

Family : Scincidae

Genus : Mabuia

DESCRIPTION

Mabuya is a genus of long-tailed skinks restricted to species from various Caribbean islands. They are primarily carnivorous, though many are omnivorous. The genus is viviparous having a highly evolved placenta that resembles that of eutherian mammals. Formerly, many old world species were placed here, as Mabuya was a kind of "Wastebasket". These Old World species are now placed in the genera Chioninia, Eutropis, and Trachylepis. Under the older classification, the New World species were referred to as "American mabuyas", and now include the genera Alinea, Aspronema, Brasiliscincus, Capitellum, Maracaiba, Marisora, Varzea, and Copeoglossum. Most species in this genus are feared to be possibly extinct due to introduced predators.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable