Montserrat galliwasp

Montserrat galliwasp
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Diploglossidae
Genus:	Diploglossus
Species:	D. montisserrati
Binomial name
Diploglossus montisserrati Underwood, 1964

The Montserrat galliwasp (Diploglossus montisserrati) is a critically endangered species of lizard in the Diploglossidae family endemic to Montserrat in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles, the only Diploglossid species in the region.

Description

It can reach 180 mm snout-to-vent, with well-developed limbs. It is brown all over, with white speckling on its flanks and legs, subtle dark lines around its neck, and white scales speckled with brown on its upper mouth.

Distribution and habitat

Once native to the whole island, it is only confirmed from the type locality, Woodland Spring, where it is found in moist woodland habitats.

Conservation

Its population size is unknown. It was originally described on the basis of a single specimen collected in 1964. No confirmed sightings were reported again until 1998, when it was observed by forestry employees. It may be one of the most endangered lizards in the world, particularly given the destruction of local habitat caused by the Soufrière Hills volcano, human habitation, and predation by invasive species such as rats, cane toads, feral pigs, dogs, and cats.

References

• Malhotra, Anita; Thorpe, Roger S. (1999), Reptiles & Amphibians of the Eastern Caribbean, Macmillan Education Ltd., pp. 73–75, ISBN 0-333-69141-5.
• Procter, D.; Fleming, L. V., eds. (1999), Biodiversity: The UK Overseas Territories, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, pp. 82–87, ISBN 1-86107-502-2
• Underwood, G. 1964. An anguid lizard from the Leeward Islands. Breviora 200:1-10

External links

• Diploglossus montisserrati at the Encyclopedia of Life