Jamaican giant galliwasp

The Jamaican giant galliwasp or sinking galliwasp (Celestus occiduus) is a possibly extinct species of lizard in the Diploglossidae. It was endemic to Jamaica.[1][2] It was last recorded in mid-19th century, with locals reporting unconfirmed sightings. Its population has been ravaged and exterminated by introduced predators like mongooses. Recent surveys, while extensive, have not yet been exhaustive, given the difficulties of access into and around the Black River Morass, leaving room for some hope that the species may persist, albeit with a tiny population.[1]

Jamaican giant galliwasp
Museum specimen

Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Diploglossidae
Genus: Celestus
Species:
C. occiduus
Binomial name
Celestus occiduus
(Shaw, 1802)
Synonyms[2]

Lacerta occidua Shaw, 1802

References

  1. Wilson, B.S.; Hedges, B. (2020) [amended version of 2017 assessment]. "Celestus occiduus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T4097A181348221. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T4097A181348221.en. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  2. Celestus occiduus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 1 January 2022.


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