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 | |
Scientific 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
edit- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b Celestus occiduus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 1 January 2022.
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