Brachymeles minimus Brown & Alcala 1995

Brachymeles minimus is one of only five known limbless species of lizard in the genus Brachymeles. This species is only known to occur on Catanduanes Island off the coast of the Bicol Peninsula in the Philippines. Three of the five recognized limbless species occur in the Philippines (B. lukbani, B. minimus, and B. vermis). A fourth limbless species is known from Borneo (B. apus), and the limbless monotypic genus Davewakeum from Thailand was recently shown to be a member of the genus Brachymeles. The genus Brachymeles represents a unique group of semi-burrowing (semi-fossorial) lizards in that the group possesses species with a full spectrum of body forms, from limbed species with five fingers and five toes, to fully limbless species. Researchers are interested in the process and patterns behind the evolution of these drastic changes in body form. With the exception of two species from Borneo (B. apus) and Thailand (B. miriamae), all species of Brachymeles are endemic to the Philippines. This means they are found among the more than 7,000 Philippine islands and nowhere else in the world.

We have evaluated this species against the IUCN criteria for classification, and find that it qualifies for the status of Vulnerable, VU, based on the following criteria: VU B2ab(iii); D2 (IUCN, 2010).

Brachymeles minimus can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) body size small (SVL 57.0–64.3 mm); (2) external limb elements absent; (3) supralabials six; (4) infralabials six; (5) suparciliaries six; (6) supraoculars five; (7) midbody scale rows 20; (8) frontoparietals contacting on midline; (9) mental/1st infralabial fusion absent; (10) postnasals absent; (11) enlarged chin shields in three pairs; (12) nuchal scales differentiated; and (13) auricular opening absent.

Brachymeles minimus is recognized to occur in the Luzon Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex.

SVL 57.0–64.3 mm

Continent: Asia
Distribution: Philippine Islands (Catanduanes Island)

Brachymeles minimus is a species of skink endemic to the Philippines.

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Brachymeles minimus Brachymeles generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Scincidae familian sailkatuta dago.

Brachymeles minimus est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Scincidae.

Brachymeles minimus là một loài thằn lằn trong họ Scincidae. Loài này được Brown & Alcala miêu tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1995.