Shea G. auteur aut IRD Jourdan Hervé auteur aut IRD Sadlier R. auteur aut IRD Bauer A. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Tropidoscincus variabilis is a medium-sized, long-limbed and long-tailed skink from New Caledonia with strong ontogenetic change in coloration, juveniles being very brightly coloured. It is primarily an inhabitant of forested habitats, but also occurs in maquis heathlands. Mature females are similar in size to mature males, but have proportionally longer bodies and shorter heads and limbs, and a less brightly orange venter. Body 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). Head width and depth increase in positive allometry to head length, while tail length increases in isometry with SVL. Reproduction is seasonal in both sexes, with gonadal cycles peaking in late spring. Females lay 2-4 eggs in summer, and young hatch in late summer. More than one year of growth is required to attain maturity. Diet consists of a wide range of invertebrates, particularly arthropods, and with large numbers of spiders and crickets. Juveniles eat more spiders, bugs and isopods than adults. The long limbs and ontogenetic change in coloration of this species are not explained by its known biology. specialized diet New Caledonia relative growth reproduction Scincidae 034 30 2 207-220 2009 0173-5373 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010065993 0173-5373 [F B010065993] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010065993 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/depot/2016-01-18/010065993.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2009-07-24 2017-08-23 fdi:010065993 fre