@article{fdi:010065993,
  title = {{N}atural history of the {N}ew {C}aledonian whiptailed skink {T}ropidoscincus variabilis ({B}avay, 1869) ({S}quamata : {S}cincidae)},
  author = {{S}hea, {G}. and {J}ourdan, {H}erv{\'e} and {S}adlier, {R}. and {B}auer, {A}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}ropidoscincus variabilis is a medium-sized, long-limbed and long-tailed skink from {N}ew {C}aledonia with strong ontogenetic change in coloration, juveniles being very brightly coloured. {I}t is primarily an inhabitant of forested habitats, but also occurs in maquis heathlands. {M}ature females are similar in size to mature males, but have proportionally longer bodies and shorter heads and limbs, and a less brightly orange venter. {B}ody length (axilla-groin length) increases in positive allometry to snout-vent length ({SVL}), while limb lengths and head length increase in negative allometry to {SVL} (except in males, where limb length increases isometrically). {H}ead width and depth increase in positive allometry to head length, while tail length increases in isometry with {SVL}. {R}eproduction is seasonal in both sexes, with gonadal cycles peaking in late spring. {F}emales lay 2-4 eggs in summer, and young hatch in late summer. {M}ore than one year of growth is required to attain maturity. {D}iet consists of a wide range of invertebrates, particularly arthropods, and with large numbers of spiders and crickets. {J}uveniles eat more spiders, bugs and isopods than adults. {T}he long limbs and ontogenetic change in coloration of this species are not explained by its known biology.},
  keywords = {diet ; {N}ew {C}aledonia ; relative growth ; reproduction ; {S}cincidae},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}mphibia - {R}eptilia},
  volume = {30},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {207--220},
  ISSN = {0173-5373},
  year = {2009},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010065993},
}