Eulamprus quoyii

The genus name Eulamprus is derived from the Latin meaning "good-beautiful". The specific name, quoyii, is in honor of French zoologist Jean René Constant Quoy. ==Taxonomy==

Eulamprus quoyii belongs to the genus Eulamprus which is a part of the subfamily Lygosominae of the family Scincidae. Other species previously categorised within the Eulamprus genus were assigned to Concinnia, Silvascincus and Tumbunascincus. Eulamprus quoyii has several derived character states which separate the species from other species within the genus. However, there are few if any differences in preferred habitat selection within the E. quoyii group, implying a strong evolutionary consequence for the species due to previous environmental changes. ==Description==

Eulamprus quoyii is a large water skink that can grow to approximately 115mm in snout-vent length (SVL). They have sharply defined, narrow, pale-yellow dorsolateral stripes that start from above the eye and extend down the body but lack the typical black vertebral stripe of other species in the genus. Its body is medium-sized and has a long slender tail. It has a blackish upper lateral zone with pale spots and its head and snout are moderately acute. Each of its two front limbs have five fingers while the two back limbs have five toes. Its ventral area is cream in colour with some randomly scattered darker spots that differ between individuals. Its throat is white with darker black patches. There is a significant difference in shape between sexes of both adult and neonate E. quoyii. In adult male water skinks the distance between the forelimbs and hindlimbs, or the trunk length, are typically shorter than females. Males are known to have longer limbs, wider heads and a greater mass than females of the species. In male E. quoyii specimens; forelimb length, head width and overall mass all increase significantly more quickly with increased SVL growth than in females. However, this does not apply to hindlimbs or trunk length which both increase at the same rate in females and males as the SVL increases. In neonates, body shape is much more similar between the sexes with the exception of the female trunk length which is significantly longer than the male counterparts. The iris and pupil are both black and are indistinguishable from each other during the skinks life. The Eastern water skink has three presubocular scales, one of which penetrates downwards in front of the scales on the upper lip and upper jaw. The Eulamprus species show two or three scales beneath the eye and four above the eye, these are called subocular and supraocular scales respectively. ==Behaviour==

Breeding and reproduction When Eulamprus quoyii breed, male and females of the species mate in Spring and will give birth to up to nine babies per clutch in the Summer. Unlike many other reptile species, the Eastern Water Skink is a viviparous species and will give birth to live young following their long gestation periods. Due to the length of these gestation periods, it is common for female E. quoyii individuals to mate only once a year. Resident males are suspected to be more active over a longer period, producing clutches with a higher yield of offspring. Sexual selection in the E. quoyii species is not believed to have a direct correlation to performance and fitness traits such as bite force or speed as it does in other lizard species. They choose areas with a low canopy openness in order to avoid predation and actively choose sites with lower UV radiation which still have very high humidity levels. All nesting areas are found in close proximity to small bodies of water or in areas where water and moisture are highly available. Their diet consists of, but is not limited too: water beetles and other aquatic insects, snails, tadpoles, spiders, small fish and smaller lizards. Like others in the Scincidae family, Eastern Water Skinks have no need to eat every day but will do so when the conditions are favourable. It is unknown whether the Eastern Water Skink is also preyed upon by any larger aquatic animals, yet it is suspected that crayfish are a minor predator of the species. The eastern water skink has strong behavioural tendencies towards flight when provoked or threatened by predators. Despite the territorial nature of some males, due to the relative body size of the species and the high number of predators in waterside habitats, the skink is known to race away from basking sites at the first sense of danger. ==Habitat==

The Eastern Water Skink can be found in creekside habitats, estuaries or near small to medium-sized bodies of water as well as in moist urban garden areas along Australia's East Coast cities. Areas with rocky outcroppings and high availability of sunlight have a direct correlation with the abundance of E. quoyii populations. E. quoyii habitat selection is not chosen through abundance or lack of outcroppings and vegetation, but is selected through substrate temperature and necessary thermoregulation factors for the species. ==Distribution==

As the common name implies, the Eastern Water Skink is most often found in areas along Australia's temperate east coast. They have been known to be found in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. ==References==