The Tanimbar monitor (Varanus tanimbar) is a species of monitor lizard native to the Tanimbar archipelago of Maluku, Indonesia.[1] It was first described in 2023 using specimens that were preserved at the Western Australian Museum.[2] Another species of Varanus, the Louisiade monitor, was described in the same study.
| Tanimbar monitor | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Species: | V. tanimbar
|
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus tanimbar Weijola & Kraus, 2023
| |
Distribution
editVaranus tanimbar is the only species of monitor lizard native to the Tanimbar Islands, where it resides on the two largest islands: Yamdena and Selaru.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Weijola, Valter; Kraus, Fred (2023-04-14). "Two new species of monitor lizards (Squamata: Varanus ) endemic to the Louisiade and Tanimbar Archipelagos with a key to the subgenus Euprepiosaurus". Journal of Natural History. 57 (13–16): 947–975. doi:10.1080/00222933.2023.2218574. ISSN 0022-2933.
- ^ Pflughoeft, Aspen (August 11, 2023). "'Secretive' creature —with sharp claws — found lurking on island. It's a new species". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 16, 2023.