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Varanus similis MERTENS, 1958

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Higher TaxaVaranidae, Platynota, Varanoidea, Anguimorpha, Sauria, Squamata (lizards)
Subspecies 
Common Names 
SynonymVaranus (Odatria) timorensis similis MERTENS 1958: 239
Varanus timorensis similis — BRANCH 1982
Varanus timorensis similis — DE LISLE 1996: 139
Varanus scalaris similis — COGGER 2000
Varanus similis — BERGHOF 2001
Varanus similis — BÖHME 2002
Varanus similis — BRUSE & WERNING 2004
Varanus scalaris similis — SMITH in PIANKA et al. 2004
Varanus (Odatria) similis — KOCH et al. 2013
Varanus (Odatria) similis — BUCKLITSCH et al. 2016: 50 
DistributionAustralia (Northern Territory and Queensland), Papua New Guinea

Type locality: “Groote Eylandt, NT”  
Reproductionoviparous 
TypesHolotype: AMS R10207; Paratypes: ZMB, BMNH, SMF 
DiagnosisDiagnosis: “Eine Unterart von timoriensis, sehr ähnlich der Nominatrasse, aber seitliche Postanalschuppen etwas verlängert, gekielt und beim Männchen zu
kleinen, eine Gruppe bildenden Dornen ausgezogen.” [= very similar to the nominate race, but lateral post anal scales slightly longer, keeled, and in males stretched out to form a small group of thorns] (Mertens 1958: 240) 
Comment 
EtymologyPresumably named after the Latin similis (resembling), in reference to the similarity of this species to V. timoriensis, of which is was first described as a subspecies. (G. Shea, pers. comm., 9 Feb 2024) 
References
  • Berghof, H.-P. 2001. Die Pflege und Vermehrung des kleinen neuguineischen Baumwaranes Varanus (Odatria) similis MERTENS 1958. Herpetofauna 23 (135): 5-13 - get paper here
  • Berghof, H.P. 2009. Der getüpfelte Baumwaran Varanus (Odatria) similis. Natur und Tier Verlag (Münster), 64 pp. - get paper here
  • Böhme,W. 2003. Checklist of the living monitor lizards of the world (family Varanidae). Zoologische Verhandelingen 341: 6-43 - get paper here
  • Branch, W. R. 1982. Hemipeneal Morphology of Platynotan Lizards. Journal of Herpetology 16 (1): 16-38 - get paper here
  • Bruse, F. & Werning, H. 2004. Futtertiere selber züchten - ein Problem? Reptilia (Münster) 9 (49): 20-26 - get paper here
  • BUCKLITSCH, YANNICK; WOLFGANG BÖHME, ANDRÉ KOCH 2016. Scale Morphology and Micro-Structure of Monitor Lizards (Squamata: Varanidae: Varanus spp.) and their Allies: Implications for Systematics, Ecology, and Conservation. . Zootaxa 4153 (1): 001–192 - get paper here
  • Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 6th ed. Ralph Curtis Publishing, Sanibel Island, 808 pp.
  • Eidenmüller, B. & R. Wicker 1991. Einige Beobachtungen bei der Pflege und Nachzucht von Varanus (Odatria) timorensis similis MERTENS, 1958. Salamandra 27 (3): 187-193 - get paper here
  • Koch A, Ziegler T, Böhme W, Arida E, Auliya M. 2013. Pressing Problems: Distribution, Threats, and Conservation Status of the Monitor Lizards (Varanidae: Varanus spp.) of Southeast Asia and the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Herp. Cons. Biol. 8 (Monograph 3): 1 − 62. - get paper here
  • Lisle, H.F. de 1996. Natural History of Monitor Lizards. Krieger, Malabar (Florida)
  • Mertens, R. 1958. Neue Eidechsen aus Australien. Senckenbergiana Biologica 39:51-56.
  • Mertens, R. 1958. Bemerkungen über die Warane Australiens. Senckenbergiana biologica 39: 229-264
  • Moldovan, D. 2007. Haltung und Zucht von Varanus (Odatria) similis MERTENS 1958. Sauria 29 (3): 21-26 - get paper here
  • Pianka, E. R. and D. R. King, eds. 2004. Varanoid Lizards of the World. Indiana University Press, 599 pp - get paper here
  • Ruegg, R. 1974. Nachzucht beim Timor- Baumwaran, Varanus timorensis similis Mertens, 1958. Aquarium mit Aquaterra 8: 360-363
  • Wilms, T. 2005. Vorstellung einer Gemeinschaftsanlage zur Haltung australischer Echsen im Reptilium Landau. Draco 5 (22): 38-45 - get paper here
  • ZDUNEK, PRZEMYSŁAW & KRZYSZTOF KOLENDA. 2022. The threat of discarded food and drinks containers to monitor lizards. The Herpetological Bulletin 161: 28–30. - get paper here
 
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