| Leiocephalus apertosulcus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Leiocephalidae |
| Genus: | Leiocephalus |
| Species: | †L. apertosulcus |
| Binomial name | |
| †Leiocephalus apertosulcus Etheridge, 1965 | |
Leiocephalus apertosulcus, also known as theBanica giant curlytail lizard is anextinct species ofcurly-tailed lizard fromHispaniola.[1][2] This species stands out within the genusLeiocephalus for its unique skeletal characteristics and large size.[3]
The species wasdescribed byRichard Emmett Etheridge in 1965.[1] Theholotype specimenMCZ(VP) 3404 consists of a right dentary found in Stratum 2 of the cave.[4] Phylogenetically,L. apertosulcus along withL. cuneus andL. anonymous, are thought to form asister group withL. greenwayi.[3]
Derived from Latin: "apertus" meaning "open" and "sulcus" meaning "groove", referring to its distinctive completely open Meckel's groove on the dentary.[1]
Leiocephalus apertosulcus was remarkably large, with an estimated snout-vent length of 150–200 mm. This size surpassed all living Leiocephalus species—evenL. carinatus, which reaches only 130 mm. It also dwarfed its largest Hispaniolan relative,L. melanochlorus (108 mm).[3]
Along withL. anonymous, it was one of only twoLeiocephalus species that possessed an open Meckel's groove, making it an important specimen for understanding the evolution of this genus in theCaribbean region.[3]
The species wasendemic toHispaniola, known only from the type locality in westernDominican Republic near theHaitian border.[2] Thefossils were discovered in acave inCerro de San Francisco,Elías Piña Province. These remains were found in deposits dating back to theLate Pleistocene.[1]
Theextinction ofL. apertosulcus aligns with the general pattern oflate Pleistocene extinctions in theWest Indies, possibly linked toclimatic changes or human arrival. Thefossil record shows that the cave where the remains were found contained numerous extinctvertebrates, indicating significant ecological shifts during the transition from thePleistocene.[3]