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REPTILIA:
SQUAMATA: IGUANIDAE: Brachylophus
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Brachylophus vitiensis
Gibbons, 1981
Fiji crested iguana
Photo
& text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.
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Range:
Known only from a few very small islands in
northwestern Fiji.
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Diagnosis:
A large iguana with a distinct dorsal crest, a
series of thin white bands, and yellow nostrils.
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Description:
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Natural History:
Crested iguanas are shy, arboreal lizards. Their
color pattern allows them to hide on sun-dappled branches on the small
island they live on. Males are highly territorial, and when they are
trying to disturb other males, the green bands turn black.
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Reproduction: Lays
eggs.
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Taxonomy & Relationships:
There is only one other known species of Brachylophus,
also from Fiji. There are rumors that a third species awaits formal
description.
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Variation:
There is distinct sexual dimorphism, with males being larger, with
brighter white bands and larger crests than females.
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Additional Comments:
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Type Specimen:
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Literature:
Gibbons, John. 1985. On the trail of the crested
iguana. Animal Kingdom 87(6): 40-45.
Gibbons, John. 1984. Discovery of a brand-new
million-year-old iguana. Animal Kingdom 87(1): 23-30.
Gibbons, John. 1981. The biogeography of Brachylophus
(Iguanidae) including the description of a new species, B. vitiensis,
from Fiji. Journal of Herpetology 15(3):255-273.
Sprackland,
Robert. 1992. Giant Lizards. TFH Publications. ISBN: 0-86622-634-6.
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