Taxonomic status and sexual dimorphism of the brown forest skink, Scincella cherriei stuarti (Smith 1941) (Squamata: Scincidae)

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

We analyzed the molecular and morphological variation of the scincid lizard Scincella cherriei stuarti in order to reassess its taxonomic status. Our phylogenetic analyses recovered Scincella cherriei stuarti as a strongly supported monophyletic group. Furthermore, in our morphological analysis we found sexual dimorphism in color pattern and limb size in the S. cherrei stuarti, a combination that was previously undocumented for the entire genus. Owing to a suite of diagnosable external characters and strongly supported monophyly, we suggest elevating S. cherriei stuarti to species level. We offer a redescription of the taxon to accommodate its noted sexual dimorphism, and we also update its geographic distribution.