Plestiodon skiltonianus (Western Skink)
about the species
The western skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus) and Gilbert’s skink (Plestiodon gilberti) together comprise a widespread native species complex that occupy much of the western US and adjacent Baja California. In California, the western skink includes two subspecies, and Gilbert’s skink another four subspecies; together, they constitute an ecological and geographical replacement series that overlap at their edges and cover all but the extreme deserts of southeastern California. They include: Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus (Skilton’s skink), Plestiodon skiltonianus interparietalis (Coronado skink), Plestiodon gilberti cancellosus (variegated skink), Plestiodon gilberti gilberi (greater brown skink), Plestiodon gilberti placerensis (northern brown skink), and Plestiodon gilberti rubricaudatus (western red-tailedskink). The two species are close relatives, and are reknowned for their extensive variation in color pattern, tail color (pink or blue), sexual dimorphism (particularly in Gilbert’s skink), andtaxonomic uncertainty.
why species was selected
Taken together, the two species and six subspecies provide a nearlycomplete representation of the ecological diversity in the state. We recognize them as a key foundational species for the CCGP project.
