Boehme’s Water Skink – Tropidophorus boehmei – Nguyen, Nguyen, Schmitz, Orlov & Ziegler, 2010

Science name: Tropidophorus boehmei – Nguyen, Nguyen, Schmitz, Orlov & Ziegler, 2010

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Reptilia>> Squamata >> Scincidae >> boehmei

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: LC (Least Concern)

Description:

Physical Characteristics:

Size: A relatively large skink, with a maximum snout-vent length (SVL) of up to 103.5 mm. The tail length is about 1.5 times the SVL, contributing to its considerable overall size.
Head Scales: The scales on the upper head are smooth. The frontonasal scale is undivided, and the prefrontals are small and widely separated. There are 1–4 nuchal scales.
Facial Features: It has six supralabial scales and 7–8 supraciliaries. The supraciliary row extends along the entire length of the lateral edge of the supraoculars. The external ear opening is present, with the tympanum diameter smaller than the eye length.
Body Scales: The midbody has 30–32 scale rows. Both dorsal and lateral body scales are smooth, and the paravertebral scales number between 60–69 without being widened. Ventral scales count between 56–66.
Tail Scales: At the position of the tenth subcaudal, there are 17–18 scale rows. The medial subcaudal scales are divided from the first to the fifth, with the remaining scales being approximately 1.5 times wider than neighboring scales.
Limbs: The limbs are well-developed, with the dorsal surfaces covered in smooth scales. There are 16–19 smooth lamellae under the fourth toe.
Coloration and Appearance:

The dorsum and base of the tail are dark grey with light transverse bands.
Two dorsolateral rows of white dots extend from the neck to the base of the tail.
The sides of the body are dark grey, adorned with small white dots from behind the eye to the tail base.
The head, limbs, and tail exhibit similar coloration patterns, aiding in camouflage within its natural habitat.

Distribution and habitat:

Elevation:
Tropidophorus boehmei, commonly known as Boehme’s Water Skink, is found at elevations between 1,000 and 1,300 meters above sea level.

Area:
This species is endemic to northern Vietnam, specifically the Hoang Lien Mountain Range in Sa Pa and Van Ban Districts, Lao Cai Province. The type locality is near Ban Khoang village (22°24’N, 103°47’E). It has been recorded in both primary and secondary evergreen forests within this mountainous region.

Habitat:
Tropidophorus boehmei inhabits montane subtropical/tropical moist forests, often in proximity to rocky forest streams. It is a semi-aquatic species, frequently found in or near water bodies in forested areas. The skink is adapted to cool, moist environments provided by the high-elevation forests and relies on the cover of rocks and leaf litter near streams.

Behaviour and ecology:

Lifestyle:
Tropidophorus boehmei is a semi-aquatic, nocturnal species. It is active during the late afternoon and evening, often found in or near rocky streams within forested areas. The skink is known to be viviparous, giving birth to live young, although specific reproductive details are not well documented.

Diet:
The species primarily feeds on spiders and likely other small invertebrates found in its moist, forested environment.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:
Listed as Near Threatened under criterion B1a on the IUCN Red List due to its limited distribution and potential threats to its habitat. The species was assessed in 2017.

Population Trend:
The population trend is currently unknown. Due to its restricted range and specialized habitat, the species may be vulnerable to environmental changes.

Threats:

Habitat Loss: Deforestation for agriculture, logging, and infrastructure development poses a significant threat to its habitat.
Habitat Degradation: Pollution and changes in water quality of forest streams may impact the species.
Limited Distribution: Being known from only two locations makes the species more susceptible to stochastic events.
Conservation Actions:

Protected Areas: The species occurs within regions that may be under some level of protection due to national park boundaries or conservation areas.
Further Research: Surveys to determine the full extent of its distribution, population size, and ecological requirements are needed.
Habitat Protection: Conservation of montane evergreen forests and streams is crucial for the species’ survival.
Etymology
The species is named in honor of Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Böhme, the vice director of the Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig in Bonn, Germany. Dr. Böhme is recognized for his outstanding contributions to herpetology, particularly in lizard systematics, and for mentoring many generations of herpetologists.