Gardiner's burrowing skink
# Gardiner's burrowing skink

Gardiner's burrowing skink (Pamelaescincus gardineri) is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. P. gardineri is the only species in the (monotypic) skink genus Pamelaescincus. The species is endemic to the Seychelles.

## Etymology

The generic name, Pamelaescincus, is in honor of Pamela, the older of Allen E. Greer's two sisters.

The specific name, gardineri, is in honor of British zoologist John Stanley Gardiner.

## Taxonomy

P. gardineri is usually placed in the subfamily Scincinae, which seems to be paraphyletic. Probably quite close to Janetaescincus, it belongs to a major clade that does not seem to include the type genus Scincus. Thus, it will probably be eventually assigned to a new, yet-to-be-named subfamily.

## Geographic range

P. gardineri is found only in the Seychelles.

## Habitat and behavior

The natural habitats of P. gardineri are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, at altitudes from sea level to 1,600 m (5,200 ft), where it burrows in the leaf litter and soil.

## Reproduction

P. gardineri is oviparous.

## Conservation status

Populations of P. gardeneri are locally affected by introduced predators and habitat destruction, but unlike its relatives, it is not considered an endangered species by the IUCN.

