Caribicus warreni, commonly known as the Haitian giant galliwasp or the Hispaniolan giant galliwasp, is a species of lizard in the family Diploglossidae. The species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.

Caribicus warreni
Adult male in Dominican Republic
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Diploglossidae
Genus: Caribicus
Species:
C. warreni
Binomial name
Caribicus warreni
(Schwartz, 1970)
Synonyms[2]
  • Diploglossus warreni
    Schwartz, 1970
  • Diploglossus carraui
    Incháustegui, Schwartz &
    Henderson, 1985
  • Celestus carraui Incháustegui, Schwartz & Henderson, 1985
  • Celestus warreni
    Powell et al., 1996

Taxonomy

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It was formerly classified in the genus Celestus, but was moved to Caribicus in 2021.[3]

Etymology

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The specific name, warreni, is in honor of Mr. C. Rhea Warren who collected herpetological specimens on Île de la Tortue.[4]

Geographic range

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C. warreni is found in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti.[1]

Description

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True to its common name, C. warreni is a large anguid, weighing in at 68 grams (2.4 ounces).

Habitat

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The natural habitat of C. warreni are Hispaniolan moist forests underneath leaf litter and forest debris.[1]

Diet

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The giant Hispaniolan galliwasp is an opportunistic predator that feed on insects, earthworms, small mammals, and other reptiles.[citation needed]

Conservation status

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C. warreni is threatened by habitat loss, predation by invasive species (such as the small Indian mongoose), and collection for the illegal pet trade. Persecution is also an issue; the galliwasp is erroneously believed to be venomous by locals, and is often killed on sight across the island.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Landestoy, M.; Inchaustegui, S.; Powell, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Celestus warreni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T39260A115172613. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T39260A71739879.en. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  2. ^ Species Celestus warreni at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ "Caribicus anelpistus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  4. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. ("Warren's Galliwasp Diploglossus warreni ", pp. 279-280).

Further reading

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  • Schwartz A (1970). "A new species of large Diploglossus (Sauria: Anguidae) from Hispaniola". Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 82: 777–788. (Diploglossus warreni, new species).
  • Schwartz A, Thomas R (1975). A Check-list of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 216 pp. (Diploglossus warreni, p. 122).