Kaieteurosaurus Explained

Kaieteurosaurus is a genus of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The genus is monotypic, i.e., it has only one species, Kaieteurosaurus hindsi. It is endemic to Guyana where it is known from the Kaieteur National Park.

Etymology

The genus name refers to the type locality, Kaieteur National Park, combined with the Greek sauros for "lizard". The specific name hindsi honors Sam Hinds, the Prime Minister of Guyana.^[1]

Ecology and description

The holotype of K. hindsi (as of 2016 the only known specimen) was collected in tall mixed forest at 440m (1,440feet) above sea level. It is a small lizard measuring about 441NaN1 in snout-to-vent length (SVL).

Behavior

K. hindsi is terrestrial and diurnal.

Reproduction

K. hindsi is oviparous.

Further reading

• Cole CJ, Townsend CR, Reynolds RP, MacCulloch RD, Lathrop A (2013). "Amphibians and reptiles of Guyana, South America: illustrated keys, annotated species accounts, and a biogeographic synopsis". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 125 (4): 317–578.
• Kok PJR (2005). "A New Genus and Species of Gymnophthalmid Lizard (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Kaieteur National Park, Guyana". Bulletin de l'Institut Royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, Biologie 75: 35–45. (Kaieteurosaurus, new genus; K. hindsi, new species).

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]