On the identity of lacerta punctata Linnaeus 1758, the type species of the genus Euprepis Wagler 1830, and the generic assignment of Afro‐Malagasy skinks

Abstract

A recent phylogenetic revision placed Afro‐Malagasy Mabuya Fitzinger, 1826 into the genus Euprepis Wagler, 1830, with the type species Lacerta punctata Linnaeus, 1758 (syn. Mabuya homalocephala fide Andersson [1900]). Identification of L. punctatus with Euprepis destabilizes existing name usage for both a common southern African skink and a common south Asian skink. Reconsideration of the types of this taxon reveals another interpretation that maintains nomenclatural stability for both taxa. A lectotype is selected for Lacerta punctata that fixes this name to the Asian species currently known as Lygosoma punctatum. The first type designation for Euprepis is invalid and the oldest valid designation places Euprepis in the synonymy of Mabuya sensu stricto. The name Herini Gray, 1839 is a nomen dubium and is not applicable to Afro‐Malagasy "Mabuya”. The oldest available name for this clade is Trachylepis Fitzinger, 1843 (type species Euprepes savignyi Duméril & Bibron, 1839 [syn. Scincus quinquetaeniatus Lichtenstein, 1823]), which thus replaces Euprepis as the appropriate name for this group.