Brachylophus fasciatus, the Lau banded iguana, is an arboreal species of lizard endemic to the Lau Islands of the eastern part of the Fijian archipelago.[1] It is also found in Tonga, where it was probably introduced by humans.[3] It is one of the few species of iguanas found outside of the New World and one of the most geographically isolated members of the family Iguanidae.[4] Populations of these iguanas have been declining over the past century due to habitat destruction, and more significantly, the introduction of mongoose and house cats to the islands.[4]
The species is diurnal, spending their days foraging, basking and watching over their territories by day and retreating to the treetops at night. Fiji iguanas are considered a national treasure by the government of Fiji, and its likeness has been featured on postage stamps, currency, and phone book covers.
^ abFisher, R.; Grant, T.; Harlow, P. (2012). "Brachylophus fasciatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T19243030A2791124. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T19243030A2791124.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^Keogh, J. Scott; Edwards, Danielle L.; Fisher, Robert N.; Harlow, Peter S. (2008-10-27). "Molecular and morphological analysis of the critically endangered Fijian iguanas reveals cryptic diversity and a complex biogeographic history". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 363 (1508). Royal Society: 3413–3426. doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0120. PMC 2607380. PMID 18782726.
^ abKinkaid, John (1997). "Iguanas of the South Pacific". Reptiles. 5 (8): 54–57.
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Brachylophusfasciatus, the Lau banded iguana, is an arboreal species of lizard endemic to the Lau Islands of the eastern part of the Fijian archipelago...
extant species, B. fasciatus, is also present on Tonga, where it has apparently been introduced by humans. The name, Brachylophus, is derived from two...
Rebecca (2008). "Yolk Coelomitis in Fiji Island Banded Iguanas (Brachylophusfasciatus)". Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 39 (2). American Association...
of Iguaninae during the late Eocene, about 38 million years ago, with Brachylophus following a few million years later at about 35 million years ago, presumably...
years ago. The four extant members of Brachylophus are much smaller, and are found in nearby Fiji. B. fasciatus is now present on Tonga as well, but was...
Lau banded iguana (B. fasciatus) and Fiji banded iguana (B. bulabula). The southwest Pacific iguanas of the genus Brachylophus and the related extinct...
the flowerpot snake, found only on Efate. The Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophusfasciatus) was introduced as a feral animal in the 1960s. There are eleven...
reptiles include the Fiji crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis), Lau banded iguana (Brachylophusfasciatus), and Fiji snake (Ogmodon vitianus). The endemic...
tropical rainforest. The park is home to the Lau banded iguana (Brachylophusfasciatus), as well as the Tongan whistler (Pachycephala jacquinoti) and the...
reptiles in the ecoregion. They include the Lau banded iguana (Brachylophusfasciatus), the boa Candoia bibroni, nine species of gecko, and nine species...
pleurodont lineages found outside the Americas (the other being the genus Brachylophus). This called into question the previous hypothesis of Opluridae being...
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