Lapitiguana
Extinct genus of lizards
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fiji Giant Iguana (Lapitiguana impensa) was a large species (1.5 m long) of iguanid which was endemic to Fiji.[1][2] It became extinct 3000 years ago, presumably as a result of the human colonisation of the islands.[2]
| 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 Oceanian iguanas belong to the genus Brachylophus, which also includes a giant extinct species from Tonga. The closest living relatives of the South Pacific iguanas are found in America.[3][4] Its name is derived from the neolithic Lapita culture.
