Ok test your ID skills on 10 Delmarva specimens.

Skink 1



Skink 2




Skink 3




Skink 4




Skink 5




Skink 6




Skink 7




Skink 8




Skink 9




Skink 10

1- fasciatus
2- fasciatus
3- fasciatus
4- fasciatus
5- fasciatus
6- fasciatus
7- fasciatus
8- laticeps
9- fasciatus
10- fasciatus

1. Mario
2. Veronica
3. Gertrude
4. Dracula
5. Pat
6. Pearlie
7. Carmela
8. Nick
9. Vinnie
10. Theresa

wow, I don't know, but will be interested to learn about the differences,
they all look the same to me, so every skink is a five lined until I can learn the details.

Carl, could you talk about what field marks you're using? I only know fasciatus, and wouldn't have any idea how to identify laticeps, so it'd be helpful

Without giving too much away for the game, it's a matter of one different scale on their face.

I agree with Carl on the IDs. I can't imagine how many skinks you had to chase to catch 10 haha.

There is one screwball in there, that I was positive of ID in the field, but now question based on the limited photographic evidence.

As you can see, the scalation that is typically used (labials & post labials) is variable within the species. However there is one character that I think I see on one that I have never seen on the other.

Carl, I too would like to hear your explanation or anyone else who would like to take a guess.

So yes, I'm going by the labials and post labials.

Upper labials (between rostral and first upper labial that reaches the eye, exclusive):
4 -> fasciatus
5 -> laticeps
This is far from 100%. In Ohio, it seems like ~15% of fasciatus have 5 on one side. I've never seen one with 5 on both sides, but I'm sure if I play this game long enough it will happen. You definitely want to photograph both sides.

Post Labials - scales in front of the ear opening, behind the upper labials. Disregard tiny scales.
2 larger, roughly equal-sized scales -> fasciatus
none, or 1 larger scale -> laticeps

I'm calling #7 a 4/5 upper-labial fasciatus.

I've read that young laticeps may show 7 lines, not sure where. I have no first-hand experience with that. I can see that on #8 and (perhaps) on #7.

There are also supposed to be some differences in the scalation on the toes, but I've never pursued that.

Nate, are there any good articles that compare the morphology of these skinks? Also, do we know for a fact that fasciatus and laticeps are reproductively isolated?

Can someone maybe put this into terms I can understand without having a degree? I want to be able to understand how to tell the difference, but I'm not savvy on the terminology.

http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/outreach/keys/L06.html
http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociet ... id_-_8.htm

Thank you

I'm gonna post all the skinks we found and took time getting good id pics...

Yes and I have had broadheads with 4 labials on one side (no pictures unfortunately though). But lets review the 10 skinks:

Skink #1,2,3,5,6,&10 have 4 labials on each side of the head. This should be enough to conclude fasciatus

#8 has 5 labials on each side of the head, therefore laticeps.

#9 has 4 on the right, 3 on the left - fasciatus
#4 has 4 on the right, 5 on the left - this alone is an inconclusive trait
#7 has 5 on the right, 4 on the left - this alone is an inconclusive trait



I used to think post labials were a better character than labials, but now I am starting to notice some variation making it less clear. Again lets review:

#1,2,3,4,5,6,9,10 have 2 postlabials on both sides of the head - fasciatus

#8 has 1 small postlabial on the right, but 2 on the left however they are very small, therefore likely laticeps

#7 has 1 medium postlabial on the left, however on the right, I am not sure if there is 1 or 2 postlabials, the upper scale is extra large and might not be a postlabial but instead split from one of the other scales - for me this is an inconclusive trait



This is where we differ.



#8 clearly shows 7 stripes, therefore laticeps. You can see 3 lateral stripes in the photo. 3 lateral stripes + 3 lateral stripes on the other side of the body + 1 mid-dorsal stripe = 7.

#7 to me, also shows a third lateral stripe, although it is very low.

Finally a size reference for #7.



I was certain in the field #7 was laticeps. I continue to lean towards laticeps because of the 7 stripes (but is it really 7 stripes), but the postlabials are really bothersome. This specimen might have to be Plestiodon sp.

Any further thoughts?

I agree that #7 is ambiguous. I don't see the extra stripes, but it looks pretty big to have a blue tail...

I concur on this one.

I thought so too.

another 4/5 that I had trouble with in the field due to aging eyes.

"I CONCUR"?????........REALLY??.......

looks like a five-lined.

Ok, I will submit it as such...

no full body pics, or size reference?

I didnt really question it as it was normal 5 lined size... just lookin labials...

Give this one a try - from MD eastern shore.

Five labials on each side say laticeps. I'm still learning with these, but it seems there are 2 post-labials. So maybe undetermined?

Well, I see 5 upper labials on each side, but 2 large post labials on each side and it lacks the 6/7th lines on the sides. I would lean towards fasciatus, but can't be 100% sure. Go catch some more from that litter...

That is my inclination as well. We have already documented both laticeps and fasciatus from this site. All the broadhead juveniles I have found so far have the additional stripes, but I am not sure that is always the case. I should have counted the mid-dorsal scale rows on this one.