Brachylophus

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Brachylophus
Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) in captivity
Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) in captivity
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Iguanidae
Genus: Brachylophus
Cuvier, 1829
Species

Brachylophus fasciatus
Brachylophus vitiensis

The genus Brachylophus consists of two iguana species native to the islands of Fiji and Tonga in the South Pacific:[1]

Giant species which became extinct in prehistoric times - probably due to persecution by humnans and their domestic animals - occurred at least on Lifuka and Tongatapu.[2]

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Frost et al. (2001)
  2. ^ Pregill & Dye (1989)

[edit] References

  • Frost, D.E. & Etheridge, R.E. (1989) A Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomy of Iguanian Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata). University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Miscellaneous Publications 81: 1-65.
  • Frost, D.R.; Etheridge, R.E.; Janies, D. & Titus, T.A. (2001): Total evidence, sequence alignment, evolution of Polychrotid lizards, and a reclassification of the Iguania (Squamata: Iguania). American Museum Novitates 3343: 1-38. PDF fulltext
  • Pregill, Gregory K. & Dye, Tom (1989): Prehistoric Extinction of Giant Iguanas in Tonga. Copeia 1989(2): 505-508. doi:10.2307/1445455 (First page image)


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