Hypsilurus sp. nov. 'Palau'
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
This undescribed taxon may be conspecific with H. godeffroyi, with the latter possibly being endemic to Palau but often considered to have a wider distribution, in part due to uncertainty regarding the veracity of the type locality (see Bauer & Watkins-Colwell, 2001; Allison et al., 2022).
Conservation Status
Missing if distinct
Last record: subfossil (Bauer & Watkins-Colwell, 2001)
H. godeffroyi is a cryptic species that may still exist on Palau if indeed it occurred there (Bauer & Watkins-Colwell, 2001), thus the Hypsilurus taxon from Palau (whether undescribed or godeffroyi) should likewise be treated as possibly surviving, despite only being known from subfossil remains (possibly very recent) (Bauer & Watkins-Colwell, 2001).
Distribution & Habitat
Palau
Anatomy & Morphology
Biology & Ecology
Hypodigm
Media
References
Allison, A., Hamilton, A. and Tallowin, O. (2022). Hypsilurus godeffroyi (amended version of 2012 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T196556A217771414. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T196556A217771414.en. Accessed on 08 March 2024.
Bauer, A. M. and Watkins-Colwell, G. J. (2001). On the Origin of the Types of Hypsilurus godeffroyi (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae) and Early German Contributors to the Herpetology of Palau. Micronesica 34(1): 73-84.