Prasinohaema virens
Encyclopedia
The Green Green-blooded skink (Prasinohaema virens), sometimes (ambiguously) known as "green tree skink
", is a scincid lizard species native to New Guinea
. The species is poorly studied and the species' risk of extinction has not been evaluated by the World Conservation Union
, and does not appear in any CITES appendix.
The skink has developed seta
e on its toepads (or digit pads) for climbing analogous to those of gecko
s and anole
s, but the trait is believed to have evolved independently to these groups, and so is an example of convergent evolution
. With regards to the trait, other species in the genus, P. flavipes and P. prehensicauda have the primitive character, and lack the setae. Other skinks within the genus Lipinia
have also evolved toepad setae, and within the skink family four morphologically distinct adhesive microstructures have evolved, possibly all with independent evolutionary origins. By contrast, anoles and geckos each use a single, common structure, although it appears to have evolved independently in the two groups.
As in other lizards of the genera Prasinohaema
, the blood
of P. virens is green, rather than the usual red coloration of most vertebrates. The green blood pigmentation results in a strikingly bright lime-green coloration of muscles, bones, tongue, and mucosal tissue. This coloration of the blood is the result of the accumulation of the bile pigment biliverdin
in levels that would be toxic in all other vertebrates. Biliverdin is a compound that is formed from the breakdown of hemoglobin, and is normally converted to bilirubin. However, it is believed that mutation in various genes regulating bilirubin formation lead to the formation and accumulation of high levels of biliverdin.
, its import is prohibited under State and Territory legislation because its risk as an invasive species
has not yet been assessed. However, live specimens may be imported with a permit issued under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
for non-commercial purpose such as research, but not as a household pet.
Green tree skink
Green tree skink can refer to several skink species:* Lamprolepis smaragdina, widespread from East Asia to Melanesia, otherwise known as Emerald Tree Skink* Prasinohaema virens, endemic to New Guinea, otherwise known as Green Green-blooded Skink...
", is a scincid lizard species native to New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
. The species is poorly studied and the species' risk of extinction has not been evaluated by the World Conservation Union
World Conservation Union
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is an international organization dedicated to finding "pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges." The organization publishes the IUCN Red List, compiling information from a network of...
, and does not appear in any CITES appendix.
The skink has developed seta
Seta
Seta is a biological term derived from the Latin word for "bristle". It refers to a number of different bristle- or hair-like structures on living organisms.-Animal setae:In zoology, most "setae" occur in invertebrates....
e on its toepads (or digit pads) for climbing analogous to those of gecko
Gecko
Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm....
s and anole
Polychrotidae
Polychrotidae is a family of lizards commonly known as anoles . NCBI places the anole in subfamily Polychrotinae of the family Iguanidae. Four genera are common: Anolis, Norops, Phenacosaurus, and Polychrus....
s, but the trait is believed to have evolved independently to these groups, and so is an example of convergent evolution
Convergent evolution
Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Although their last common ancestor did not have wings, both birds and bats do, and are capable of powered flight. The wings are...
. With regards to the trait, other species in the genus, P. flavipes and P. prehensicauda have the primitive character, and lack the setae. Other skinks within the genus Lipinia
Lipinia
The lipinias are skinks . They belong to the Sphenomorphus group of genera in which Lipinia has a rather basal position .-Species:*Lipinia auriculata*Lipinia cheesmanae...
have also evolved toepad setae, and within the skink family four morphologically distinct adhesive microstructures have evolved, possibly all with independent evolutionary origins. By contrast, anoles and geckos each use a single, common structure, although it appears to have evolved independently in the two groups.
As in other lizards of the genera Prasinohaema
Prasinohaema
Prasinohaema is a genus of skinks characterized by having green blood . This condition is caused by an excess buildup of the bile pigment biliverdin...
, the blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
of P. virens is green, rather than the usual red coloration of most vertebrates. The green blood pigmentation results in a strikingly bright lime-green coloration of muscles, bones, tongue, and mucosal tissue. This coloration of the blood is the result of the accumulation of the bile pigment biliverdin
Biliverdin
Biliverdin is a green tetrapyrrolic bile pigment, and is a product of heme catabolism. It is the pigment responsible for a greenish color sometimes seen in bruises.- Metabolism :...
in levels that would be toxic in all other vertebrates. Biliverdin is a compound that is formed from the breakdown of hemoglobin, and is normally converted to bilirubin. However, it is believed that mutation in various genes regulating bilirubin formation lead to the formation and accumulation of high levels of biliverdin.
Import to Australia
In AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, its import is prohibited under State and Territory legislation because its risk as an invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
has not yet been assessed. However, live specimens may be imported with a permit issued under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 is an Act of the Parliament of Australia that provides a framework for protection of the Australian environment, including its biodiversity and its natural and culturally significant places...
for non-commercial purpose such as research, but not as a household pet.
External links
- http://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/14560.jpg