Dostatenys

Dostatenys is a genus of extinct monitor lizards that lived during the Pleistocene epoch. The name "Dostatenys" was coined from the Greek words "dosta" meaning "gift" and "tenys" meaning "lizard". Fossils of the genus have been found in the Pleistocene formations of southern Australia, specifically in cave deposits in Victoria and New South Wales.

Dostatenys fossils typically include remains of the skull, vertebral column, and limbs. Studies of these fossils have provided insights into the morphology and evolutionary history of the genus. Comparisons with other monitor lizard genera suggest that Dostatenys was a relatively small species, likely no larger than 1 meter in length.

The distribution and age of Dostatenys fossils in Australia have been used to infer information about the geological history of the continent. The age of the formations where fossils of the genus have been found suggests that Dostatenys lived during a period of significant environmental change in Australia. Changes in vegetation patterns, climate, and ocean levels are thought to have influenced the evolution and distribution of species during the Pleistocene.

Further research into the fossil record of Dostatenys is ongoing, with ongoing excavations and analysis providing new information about the genus. However, more fossil evidence is needed to fully understand the ecology, behavior, and relationships of Dostatenys within the wider clade of monitor lizards.