Ateuchosaurus pellopleurus

Ateuchosaurus pellopleurus, the Ryukyu short-legged skink, is a species of skink. It is found in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan.^[2]

Ryukyu short-legged skink
Lectotype of A. pellopleurus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Scinciformata
Infraorder:	Scincomorpha
Family:	Ateuchosauridae
Genus:	Ateuchosaurus
Species:	A. pellopleurus
Binomial name
Ateuchosaurus pellopleurus (Hallowell, 1861)

Taxonomy

Whilst A. pellopleurus was originally recognized as a single species ranging across the Osumi, Tokara, Amami, and Okinawa Groups of the Ryukyu Archipelago, molecular analysis has found that the skinks in the Osumi and Amami groups are distinct from those in the Okinawa group. A. pellopleurus sensu stricto is now the name for the species in the Osumi and Amami groups, whilst A. okinavensis is resurrected for the species in the Okinawa group.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species is found in the leaf litter of forest floors and grasslands, including small vegetation around urban areas. It occurs on Mishima of the Osumi Group, and the Tokara and Amami Groups of the Ryukyu Archipelago. The congeneric species Ateuchosaurus okinavensis is present in the Okinawa group, where A. pellopleurus is absent.^[3] A skeletal remain, likely dating from the late 19th century, has been found on Yoronjima Island, but it is unclear if this represents A. pellopleurus or A. okinavensis as Yoronjima is outside the current range of either species.^[4]

Threats

On Iojima Island, the local population is preyed upon by the introduced Indian peafowl.^[3]