Imaginat

Imaginat is a genus of extinct monitor lizards that lived during the Paleocene epoch, approximately 60-56 million years ago, in what is now North America. The genus was first described by paleontologist David Lazell in 1987.

Several species of Imaginat have been identified, including Imaginat zalessi and Imaginat buenavistensis. Fossils of Imaginat have been found in the Southern Great Plains region of the United States, in states such as Kansas and Texas. The discovery of Imaginat helped to fill a gap in the knowledge of monitor lizard evolution during the Paleocene epoch.

Imaginat is characterized by its relatively small size, with adults estimated to have reached lengths of around 30-40 centimeters. The genus is also distinguished by its prominent, rounded snout and short neck. Imaginat is thought to have been a relatively slow-moving animal, with a diet that consisted mainly of small invertebrates and fruits.

The genus Imaginat is part of the family Monitoridae, which includes modern monitor lizards such as the Nile monitor and the Komodo dragon. However, the evolutionary relationships between the extinct genus Imaginat and its modern relatives are not well understood, and further research is needed to determine the exact placement of Imaginat within the family Monitoridae.

Overall, the discovery of Imaginat has provided important insights into the evolution and diversity of monitor lizards during the Paleogene period, and has helped to shed light on the early history of this group of reptiles.