Systematics of the Carlia ‘ fusca’ complex (Reptilia: Scincidae) from northern Australia Author Donnellan, S. C. Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, 5000, Australia & Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, University of Adelaide 5005 Australia Author Couper, P. J. Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Bank, Brisbane, 4101, Australia Author Saint, K. M. Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, 5000, Australia Author Wheaton, L. Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, 5000, Australia text Zootaxa 2009 2009-09-10 2227 1 1 31 https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.2227.1.1 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.2227.1.1 1175-5326 5322567 Heteropus variegatus Macleay, 1877 Fig. 11c, d ; Tables 3 & 4 Lectotype : AMS R 31868. Darnley Island , northeastern Torres Strait ( 9°35’S , 143°46’E ). Paralectotypes : AMS R31869-70 : as for lectotype . Description: SVL (mm) 45.92 – 47.86, n = 3. Proportions as %SVL (mean ± standard deviation): TL not available; AG 46.74-48.41 (47.63 ± 0.84, n = 3); L1 33.99-35.04 (34.47 ± 0.53, n = 3); L2 47.36-50.61 (48.87 ± 1.63, n = 3); HL 21.94-22.89 (22.47 ± 0.48, n = 3); Eye – ear 7.75-8.14 (7.98 ± 0.22, n = 3); Snout 9.45-9.88 (9.65± 0.22, n = 3). Body robust. Head barely distinct from neck. HW 58.05-63.52% HL (61.19 ± 2.82, n = 3). Limbs moderate. L1 69.24-71.76% L2 (70.56 ± 1.27, n = 3). Raw measurements and scale counts of lectotype : AMS R31868. SVL 46.66 mm ; AG 22.59 mm ; L1 15.86 mm ; L2 22.10 mm ; HL 10.68 mm ; HW 6.62 mm ; Eye – ear 3.75; Snout 4.49: midbody scale rows 32; paravertebral scale rows 46; supraciliaries 7; supralabials 7; fifth supralabial below eye; infralabials 6; subdigital lamellae beneath 3 rd finger 19; subdigital lamellae beneath 4 th toe 27; enlarged nuchals 2; preoculars 2; presuboculars 1; postsupralabial divided; temporals – 1 primary, 2 secondary; ear vertical with sharp lobules at front and top – those along dorsal margin small and deeply recessed ( Fig. 11d ); palpebral disc subequal to ear opening. The scales of the dorsal and lateral surfaces are faintly tricarinate. Pattern: AMS R31868 is badly faded but a slight darkening of the upper lateral zone is evident between the ear aperture and the forelimb. This is bordered above by a pale, fine dorsolateral stripe and below by a moderate, wavy midlateral stripe that extends along the anterior third of the flanks. Comments: Ingram and Covacevich (1989) designated AMS R 31869 as the lectotype of Heteropus variegatus , however, this is preceded by the prior designation of AMS R 31868 by Wells and Wellington (1985) .