Lapitiguana
Extinct genus of lizards
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lapitiguana impensa is an extinct giant (1.5 m long) iguanid from Fiji.[1] It likely became extinct following the human colonization of Fiji 3000 years ago.[1]
| Lapitiguana Temporal range: Holocene | |
|---|---|
| |
| Natunaornis and Lapitiguana | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Iguanidae |
| Genus: | †Lapitiguana |
| Species: | †L. impensa |
| Binomial name | |
| †Lapitiguana impensa Pregill & Worthy, 2003 | |
All extant Fijian iguanas are in the genus Brachylophus, together with an extinct species from Tonga. The closest living relatives of the Polynesian iguanas are found in the Americas.[2][3] Its name is derived from the archeological Lapita culture.
