Declaration Source: The question will be resolved based on an official declaration or statement from a recognized scientific body or wildlife conservation authority (e.g., International Union for Conservation of Nature, government wildlife agency).
Definition of Extinction: The term "extinct" refers to the condition where there are no living individuals of the Abronia cunemica species left in the wild or in captivity.
Time Frame: The declaration must be made on or before December 31, 2035.
Verification: In the absence of an official declaration, credible scientific reports or peer-reviewed studies published in recognized journals that provide conclusive evidence of the species' extinction will also be considered for resolving the question.
Exclusivity of Species: The resolution applies specifically to the Abronia cunemica species, commonly known as the Coapilla arboreal alligator lizard, and not to any other species of alligator lizards or similar creatures.
Additional Notes: The question takes into account the species' newly discovered status, limited distribution area, and the protective measures currently in place to safeguard its habitat and population. Any changes in these factors or new conservation efforts could significantly impact the species' survival prospects.
Background (Jan 5, 2024): Elusive ‘alligator’-like creature found in treetops of Mexico. It’s a new species
Tucked in the treetops of southern Mexico was an “alligator”-like creature. Hidden by the foliage and obscured by the height, the “unusually large” animal had generally avoided detection. When determined scientists eventually found the scaly animal, it turned out to be a new species.
The yearslong quest began after some “intriguing photographs emerged” in 2014 of a tree-dwelling lizard from Coapilla, according to a study published Jan. 3 in the journal PLOS One. Researchers searched for the elusive lizards on five expeditions between 2015 and 2022.
The search turned out to involve “extraordinary difficulty,” the study said. Researchers spent over 350 hours searching the ground and used climbing gear to search the limbs and canopy of about 20 trees.
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https://news.yahoo.com/elusive-alligator-creature-found-treetops-173259785.html