On the taxonomic status of two enigmatic southern African fossorial skinks, Scelotes bicolor and S. schebeni

Abstract

The nominal taxa Scelotes bicolor and Scelotes schebeni are known only from their respective type specimens, both now lost, and they have been regarded as species inquirendae. A review of available data confirms that earlier synonymisations with S. arenicola and Melanoseps occidentalis, respectively, are correct and that the type localities of both are in error.