Ctenotus - Australian Lizards  The largest group of lizards in
Australia belong to the genus Ctenotus. There are nearly 100
species in this genus. They are found throughout much of
Australia, but are most diverse in the desert regions and
tropical woodlands of Australia's north.  Skink, Ctenotus
coggeri  Skink, Ctenotus coggeri Photographer: Hal
Cogger © Australian Museum  In desert and tropical woodland
regions, Ctenotus is usually the largest group of lizards,
comprising 10%-25% of the total lizard fauna. In the sand ridges
and sand plains of the Great Victoria Desert in Western
Australia, 11 species of Ctenotus are known to live in one area
which has approximately 40 species of lizard in total.  Lizards
of the Ctenotus genus are commonly called 'comb-eared skinks'
because of the row of small scales on the anterior edge of their
ears. What is most remarkable about these lizards is that there
is very little difference in their overall 'body plan' or shape
across a huge range of species. In other words, comb-