Varanus louisiadensis WEIJOLA & KRAUS, 2023
We have no photos, try to find some by Google images search:
Higher Taxa | Varanidae, Platynota, Varanoidea, Anguimorpha, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | |
Synonym | Varanus (Euprepiosaurus) louisiadensis WEIJOLA & KRAUS 2023: 952 |
Distribution | Papua New Guinea () Type locality: Bwagaoia, Misima Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea |
Reproduction | |
Types | Holotype: ZMUT Sa197 (Figures 3, 4) collected by Valter Weijola, 22 April 2013. Paratypes: Papua New Guinea: Milne Bay Province: AMNH 76828, ZMUT Sa196, Sa198 (Misima Island), ZMUT Sa199 (Figure 5)–200, AMNH 76755 (Rambuso, Sudest Island), ZMUT Sa201 (Figure 6), AMNH 76735–76737 (Saman [ZMUT], Jinian [AMNH], Rossell Island). |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Varanus louisiadensis sp. nov. is a member of the subgenus Euprepiosaurus, which is defined by having the unique combination of an asymmetric sperm groove on the hemipenis and a laterally compressed tail (Ziegler et al. 2007). Molecular phylogenetic analyses place it within the V. indicus species group defined by the unilateral paryphasmata ornamentation of the hemipenis and lack of blue pigmentation on the tail (Ziegler et al. 2007; Weijola et al. 2019). It can be distinguished from all other species of Euprepiosaurus by its unique combination of: (1) dorsum black with more-or-less well-defined crossbands composed of yellow ocelli and/or dots, better defined in juveniles and subadults than adults; (2) tail black with distinct yellow bands, better defined in juveniles and subadults than adults; (3) tongue tines and a variable section of the mid-dorsal tongue surface dark grey, the remainder being pink; (4) pink-orange pigmentation usually present on cheeks and sides of neck; (5) venter pale yellow; (6) mid-body scale rows (S) 142–163; (7) mid-dorsal scale rows (XY) 139–169; (8) ventral scale rows (T) 101–113; (9) scales around neck (m) 101–118. Additional details (5517 characters) are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us for details. |
Comment | |
Etymology | Named after the type locality. |
References |
|
External links |