Pilbara monitor

Pilbara monitor
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Anguimorpha
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Subgenus: Odatria
Species:
V. bushi
Binomial name
Varanus bushi

The Pilbara monitor (Varanus bushi), also known commonly as Bush's monitor, Bush's pygmy monitor, and the Pilbara mulga goanna, is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. It is endemic to the Pilbara of Western Australia.

Etymology

The specific name, bushi, is in honor of Australian naturalist and herpetologist Brian Gordon Bush (born 1947).

Description

V. bushi is most similar to the stripe-tailed goanna (V. caudolineatus) and the pygmy mulga goanna (V. gilleni) of all monitor lizards. However, the Pilbara monitor can be distinguished from these other two species by some morphological and genetic differences.

There is little information on the behaviour of V. bushi. However, it is known to be arboreal and to shelter in bark crevices, in hollow trees, and under fallen logs.

It is an oviparous species.

Habitat and distribution

It is found in the arid and semi-arid grassland and scrub of the Pilbara.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wilson, S.; Macdonald, S.M.; Teale, R.; Doughty, P. (2018). "Varanus bushi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018 e.T83777426A83928558. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T83777426A83928558.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Monitor-lizards.net Archived 19 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 11 February 2010).
  3. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Varanus bushi, p. 44).
  4. ↑ JCVI.org (Retrieved 11 February 2010).[dead link]
  5. ↑ "Varanus bushi ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading