Post by Ceratodromeus on Nov 28, 2015 10:18:12 GMT 5
Turquoise Monitor - Varanus caerulivirens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Subgenus: V.(euprepiosaurus)
Species: V. caeruliviens
Description
This species is overall very similar to the Mangrove monitor (V. indicus), in morphology, but has been recognized as its own species. Aside from differing color patterning, the species can be distinguished from the Mangrove based on greater scale counts, and a lightly pigmented tongue.{1,2} The turquoise monitor is a mid sized species, and while not very well studied, we have the measurements of the adult holotypes to go off of. The male holotype, a mature male, measured 295mm(11.6in) in snout-vent length, and a total length of 765mm(30in); the female measured, 375mm(14.7in) in snout- vent length, and a total length of 985mm(38.7in){1}. The largest recorded animal, an adult male measured 110cm(43.3in) in total length{3}.
Geographic range
The species' type location is the Halmehera region of Indonesia, and is thought to be widespread in the surrounding area. It is semi-arboreal in nature, often being observed on the trunks of trees and near bodies of water.{1,3} the species is well known to scamper up trees when approached.
Dietary habits
Turquoise monitors have often been observed foraging in leaf litter, but dietary data on the species is sparse as it is a (relatively speaking) new discovery. Stomach dissections have shown the species eats invertebrates such as mole crickets and earthworms{3} The species probably occupies a similar ecological niche to the members of the Mangrove monitor species group, feeding on small vertebrates, eggs, and perhaps fruit and plant matter as well.
References
{1} Ziegler, Thomas Böhme, and K. M. Philipp. "Varanus caerulivirens sp. n., a new monitor lizard of the V. indicus group from Halmahera, Moluccas, Indonesia." Herpetozoa 12.1/2 (1999): 45-56.
{2} Ziegler, Thomas, et al. "A review of the subgenus Euprepiosaurus of Varanus (Squamata: Varanidae): morphological and molecular phylogeny, distribution and zoogeography, with an identification key for the members of the V. indicus and the V. prasinus species groups." Zootaxa 1472 (2007): 1-28.
{3} Weijola, V. S. A. "Geographical distribution and habitat use of monitor lizards of the north Moluccas." Biawak 4.1 (2010): 7-23.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Subgenus: V.(euprepiosaurus)
Species: V. caeruliviens
Description
This species is overall very similar to the Mangrove monitor (V. indicus), in morphology, but has been recognized as its own species. Aside from differing color patterning, the species can be distinguished from the Mangrove based on greater scale counts, and a lightly pigmented tongue.{1,2} The turquoise monitor is a mid sized species, and while not very well studied, we have the measurements of the adult holotypes to go off of. The male holotype, a mature male, measured 295mm(11.6in) in snout-vent length, and a total length of 765mm(30in); the female measured, 375mm(14.7in) in snout- vent length, and a total length of 985mm(38.7in){1}. The largest recorded animal, an adult male measured 110cm(43.3in) in total length{3}.
Geographic range
The species' type location is the Halmehera region of Indonesia, and is thought to be widespread in the surrounding area. It is semi-arboreal in nature, often being observed on the trunks of trees and near bodies of water.{1,3} the species is well known to scamper up trees when approached.
Dietary habits
Turquoise monitors have often been observed foraging in leaf litter, but dietary data on the species is sparse as it is a (relatively speaking) new discovery. Stomach dissections have shown the species eats invertebrates such as mole crickets and earthworms{3} The species probably occupies a similar ecological niche to the members of the Mangrove monitor species group, feeding on small vertebrates, eggs, and perhaps fruit and plant matter as well.
References
{1} Ziegler, Thomas Böhme, and K. M. Philipp. "Varanus caerulivirens sp. n., a new monitor lizard of the V. indicus group from Halmahera, Moluccas, Indonesia." Herpetozoa 12.1/2 (1999): 45-56.
{2} Ziegler, Thomas, et al. "A review of the subgenus Euprepiosaurus of Varanus (Squamata: Varanidae): morphological and molecular phylogeny, distribution and zoogeography, with an identification key for the members of the V. indicus and the V. prasinus species groups." Zootaxa 1472 (2007): 1-28.
{3} Weijola, V. S. A. "Geographical distribution and habitat use of monitor lizards of the north Moluccas." Biawak 4.1 (2010): 7-23.
