Caiman (genus)

Crocodile cayman

  • Crocodile caiman ( Caiman crocodilus )
  • Spectacled caiman ( Caiman yacare )
  • Broad-snouted caiman ( Caiman latirostris )

The Real caiman ( Caiman ) are a genus of caiman ( Caimaninae ) within the crocodiles ( Crocodilia ). Genuine caiman come exclusively in South America, with the exception of the crocodile caiman, whose range extends to Central America.

It involves a total of three types:

  • Genuine caiman ( Caiman Spix, 1825) Crocodile caiman ( Caiman crocodylus (Linnaeus, 1758) )
  • Spectacled caiman ( Caiman yacare ( Daudin, 1801) ) (status disputed)
  • Broad-snouted caiman ( Caiman latirostris ( Daudin, 1801) )

The exact relationships of the Real caimans with each other and to other Kaimantaxa have been unclear, an accepted hypothesis is reproduced here.

Alligatoridae Species Yacare caiman Middle America (region)
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