Previous taxonomic assessments of species in this genus recognized six groups of species that shared similar morphologies (see Brown and Alcala, 1980). Subsequent analyses of morphology and phylogenetic studies have not supported the monophyly of these species groups, and large taxonomic revisions are needed in this diverse group of ground skinks to sort out the true species diversity and appropriate generic assignments of its members. This species has traditionally been considered a member of Group 2 species in the genus Sphenomorphus. Group 2 species were diagnosed on the basis of being relatively small species with short limbs and low lamellae and body-scale counts (Brown and Alcala, 1980).
In recent study of Philippine forest skinks, Linkem et al. (2011) used molecular data to test the monophyly of previously hypothesized species groups within the genus Sphenomorphus. Results of the study indicated widespread taxonomic instability, and as a result, broad taxonomic changes were made to the genus, resurrecting available names as well as describing new genera. Sphenomorphus steerei is now recognized to be a member of the genus Parvoscincus.
Parvoscincus steerei can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters (1) small body size (SVL 26.4–36.0 mm); (2) paravertebral scales 52–63; (3) midbody scales 28–32; (4) number of supraoculars contacting frontal 2; (5) Toe IV lamellae 9–14; (6) prefrontal scales in contact; (7) frontoparietal scales fused; (8) venter pale yellow.
This species is currently recognized to occur throughout much of the Philippines, and has been recorded from Mindanao, Camiguin Sur, Bohol, Leyte, Cebu, Siquijor, Panay, Negros, Poro, Sibuyan, Pacijan, Danjugan, Guimaras, Ponson, Sicogon, Gigante South, Tablas, Mindoro, Calagna-an, and Luzon islands.
This species is currently recognized to possess a distribution spanning the Luzon, Mindoro, Visayan (Central), and Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complexes (PAIC; Brown and Diesmos, 2002) as well as the Romblon Island Group.
SVL 26.4–36.0 mm
Guimaras Island, Philippines; type in the United States National Museum; USNM 32658
Steere's sphenomorphus (Parvoscincus steerei) is a species of skink found in the Philippines.[2]
Steere's sphenomorphus (Parvoscincus steerei) is a species of skink found in the Philippines.
