Ctenotus astarte, also known commonly as the stony downs ctenotus, is a species of skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
| Ctenotus astarte | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Ctenotus |
| Species: | C. astarte
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ctenotus astarte Czechura, 1986
| |
Etymology edit
The specific name, astarte, is an allusion to Astarte, the goddess of fertility, sexuality, and war in ancient Assyrian mythology.[2]
Geographic range edit
In Australia, C. astarte is found in southwestern Queensland and extreme northeastern South Australia.[3][1]
Habitat edit
The preferred natural habitats of C. astarte are grassland, shrubland, and savanna.[1]
Description edit
Moderately large for its genus, C. astarte has a snout-to-vent length of 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in).[4]
Reproduction edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Wilson S, Hobson R, Vanderduys E, Dickman C (2018). "Ctenotus astarte". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T109462967A109462970. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T109462967A109462970.en. Downloaded on 05 May 2020.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Ctenotus astarte, p. 12).
- ^ a b Ctenotus astarte at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 March 2015.
- ^ Czechura (1986).
Further reading edit
- Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350.
- Czechura GV (1986). "Skinks of the Ctenotus schevilli species group". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 22 (2): 289–297, Plates 1–2. (Ctenotus astarte, new species, pp. 289–291, Figure 1 + Plate 1, figures C–D).
- Wilson S, Swan G (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.
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