Eutropis multifasciata is the largest species of Eutropis that occurs in the Philippines, and is not closely related to the other species in the Philippine radiation. It exhibits a broad geographic range throughout Southeast Asia, with little genetic differentiation across this range. E. multifasciata appears to have excellent dispersal abilities both through natural and human mediated means. It is one of the more conspicuous lizards in this area of the world due to it's size, as well as because it is diurnally active and thrives in disturbed lowland habitats.
Due to it's broad geographic distribution and prevalence in disturbed habitats, according to the IUCN categories and classification structure, we consider the conservation status of this species as “Least Concern (LC)".
Eutropis multifasciata can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) body size large (SVL 75-140 mm for mature adults); (2) head scales smooth; (3) dorsal scales with 3 weak keels; (4) 38-48 vertebral scale rows between parietals and base of tail; (5) midbody scale rows 30-34; (6) 16-21 lamellae between 4th toe; (7) prefrontals in broad contact; (8) 6-8 lamellae beneath 1st toe; (9) supranasals narrowly separated at midline; (10) 6 or 7 upper and lower labials; (11) ear moderate in size, deeply sunk with 1 to several lobules on anterior margin (Brown & Alcala, 1980).
Coloration in life: Dorsal surfaces brown to olive brown, more or less uniform, or with black-edged scales which appear as narrow, black longitudinal lines; females and young tend to exhibit darker coloration of the lateral surfaces marked by greenish-white to white spots; males may have a large yellow to orange spot on neck and anterior lateral surface, especially during breeding season; venter light with a greenish to bluish tinge (Brown & Alcala, 1980)
Eutropis multifasciata is broadly distributed in Southeast Asia, on the mainland throughout India, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, as well as throughout the Malaysian, Indonesian, and Philippine Archipelago's, New Guinea, and Palau
This species is active diurnally in open areas where it can be found basking, however it can also be found hiding under bark, piles of vegetation, and in tree holes.
This species is recognized to occur throughout the Philippines, India, much of southeast Asia, and the East Indies.
E. multifasciata is a common species throughout it's range that occurs in open areas of lowland and submontain forest, as well as secondary vegetation and highly disturbed habitats such as bamboo or coconut groves from near sea level to 1200 meters or more.
Within the Philippines, Eutropis multifasciata is most similar to E. rudis. E multifasciata can be distinguished by it's larger size, larger number of mid-body scale rows, and smaller number of lamellae beneath the 4th toe.
This species if viviparous, with females giving birth to 2 to 10 offspring. Offspring SVL range from roughly 35-45 mm (Brown & Alcala, 1980).
109.0-137.0 mm SVL
Type locality not given in original description; type repository unknown
Eutropis multifasciata, commonly known as the East Indian brown mabuya, many-lined sun skink, many-striped skink, common sun skink or (ambiguously) as golden skink, is a species of skink.
Snout moderate, obtuse. Lower eyelid scaly. Nostril behind vertical of the suture between rostral and first labial; a postnasal; anterior loreal not deeper than the second, in contact with the first labial; supranasals frequently in contact behind rostral; frontonasal broader than long; prefrontals constantly forming a median suture; frontal as long as or shorter than the frontoparietals and interparietal together, in contact with the second (rarely also with the first) supraocular: 4 supraoculars, second largest; 6 supraciliaries, first largest; fronto-parietals distinct, larger than the interparietal, which entirely separates the parietals; a pair of nuchals, 4 labials anterior to the subocular, which is large and not narrower below. Ear-opening roundish or oval, as large as a lateral scale, or a little smaller, with or without a few very small lobules anteriorly. Dorsal scales more or less distinctly tri-(rarely quinque-) carinate: nuchals and laterals usually very feebly keeled, sometimes smooth; 30 to 34 scales round the middle of the body, subequal or dorsals largest. The hind limb reaches the wrist or the elbow of the adpressed fore limb. Subdigital lamellae smooth. Scales on upper surface of tibia mostly tricarinate. Tail 1.3 to 1.6 times length of head and body. Brown or olive above ; some specimens uniform, or with a large whitish (red) patch on each side; back frequently with small black spots, sometimes confluent into longitudinal lines; sides frequently dark brown, with whitish, black-edged ocelli; a well-defined light dorso-lateral band seldom present; lower surfaces yellowish or greenish white.[3]
Eutropis multifasciata was first observed in Taiwan in 1992, in the southern Kaohsiung area.[4] It has since spread northward and established populations in the central-western and south-western lowlands.[5] The species has successfully adapted to Taiwan's agricultural areas, open forests, and human-disturbed areas.[5] It's high fecundity (reproductive ability) has enabled it to compete with other species for resources.[6] This is likely the cause of the decline in the populations of indigenous lizard species that occupy the same habitats as Eutropis multifasciata.[6] Since this species has a poor cold tolerance, its elevational distribution in Taiwan is restricted below 500 meters.[7] However, it is expected that in response to rising temperatures associated with climate change, this species will benefit from increased maximum activity time.[5] As a result, distribution of this species is expected to expand from lowland areas to higher elevations, especially if the landscape becomes more open.[5]
Eutropis multifasciata, commonly known as the East Indian brown mabuya, many-lined sun skink, many-striped skink, common sun skink or (ambiguously) as golden skink, is a species of skink.
