Post by Ceratodromeus on Dec 6, 2016 10:41:25 GMT 5
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Subgenus: Euprepiosaurus
Species: V.obor
Biology
This is a species of tree monitor with a unique coloration; a dark body coloration with a contrasting red or orange head; Intraspecific variation is apparent, with some animals displaying darker or lighter colorations than others. This coloration gives the species one of its common names, the torch monitor. Its other common name, the sago monitor, is based on the species' preferred habitat, the sago swamps. It uses these swamps to forage for food; using the large trees as a means of escape when approached by observers. The body is modestly robust in nature, with rather robust forelimbs. The claws are not very long, but perfectly adept for a more arboreal lifestyle; the tail is highly compressed, which aids the species in aquatic locomotion
The holotype is a subadult female(catalogue number RMNH.RENA 7225.) measuring 35.5cm(13.9in) in snout-vent length with a tail length of 53cm(20.8in). Six animals were taken from the field, measured and released; two of these were females similar in size to the holotype animal measuring 34cm(13.3in) & 35cm (13.7in)in snout-vent length with tail lengths of 55.5cm(21.8in) & 65.5cm(25.7in), respectively. The Four males documented in the species' description paper ranged from 32-44cm(12.5-17.5in) in snout-vent length, with tail lengths ranging from 53-89cm(20.8-35in) respectively{1}.
Like other varanids, the sago monitor is an oppurtunistic predator. Field observations indicate that it will readily eat carrion(one animal was seen feeding on a juvenile cuscus and a dead piglet), but will exploit other food sources just as readily. One captured animal defecated lizard egg shells, beetle wing cases, and the exoskeleton of a mole cricket. They are active foragers, coming from their arboreal retreats to search for food; one animal was seen digging around the roots of a fallen tree. They appear to be inactive during overcast days and rainy weather.
{1} A new melanistic species of monitor lizard (Reptilia: Squamata: Varanidae) from Sanana Island, Indonesia
Abstract
A new species of monitor lizard endemic to Sanana Island in the northwestern Moluccas is described from a preserved
specimen and field observations. This is the only melanistic member of the Varanus indicus species group, and the only
taxon in the subgenus Euprepiosaurus with prominent orange-red markings. Allied to Varanus melinus of nearby
Mangole and Taliabu islands in body proportions and scutellation, the new species is convergent with melanistic
populations of the Varanus salvator complex from the Sula Platform, Sulawesi and Togian Islands. On Sanana the new
species reaches highest densities in coastal sago palm swamps, a habitat type that is underutilized by other species in the
V. indicus group elsewhere in the Moluccas
xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/20809606/1186986213/name/Varanus_obor.pdf