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Pilbara monitor

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

Further reading

  • , , (2006)."A new species of Varanus Merrem (Squamata: Varanidae) from the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with observations on sexual dimorphism in closely related species". Zootaxa 1313: 1–38. (Varanus bushi, new species).
  • Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. .
  • Eidenmüller B (2007). "Small monitors in the terrarium". Reptilia (GB) (50): 12–19.
  • King, Ruth Allen; Pianka, Eric R.; King, Dennis (2004). Varanoid Lizards of the World. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. pp. 225–229. .
  • King, Dennis; Green, Brian (1999). Goannas: The Biology of Varanid Lizards. University of New South Wales Press. .
  • ; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. .

External links