Brilliant arboreal alligator lizard

Brilliant arboreal alligator lizard
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Sauria
Family:	Anguidae
Genus:	Abronia
Species:	A. gaiophantasma
Binomial name
Abronia gaiophantasma Campbell & Frost, 1993

The brilliant arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia gaiophantasma) is a species of lizard endemic to the mountains of east-central Guatemala, from the Sierra de las Minas east to the Chilascó region. It occurs at elevations of 1,600–2,650 m, and can be found in pine–oak and cloud forests of lower montane wet forests. Its extent of occurrence is estimated at only 750 km², and has been declared endangered. Threats to this species include habitat loss from agriculture, and the exportation of ornamental Chamaedaphne calyculata plants, conversion of habitats to pine plantations, and intentional fires. It can be found in protected areas such as Mario Dary Rivera Protected Biotope and Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve.

References

1. Ariano-Sánchez, D., Acevedo, M. & Johnson, J. (2014). "Abronia gaiophantasma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 28 August 2014.