Tanimbar monitor explained

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.

Distribution

Varanus tanimbar is the only species of monitor lizard native to the Tanimbar Islands, where it resides on the two largest islands: Yamdena and Selaru.

Notes and References

1. 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 . en . 57 . 13–16 . 947–975 . 10.1080/00222933.2023.2218574 . 0022-2933. free .
2. Web site: Pflughoeft . Aspen . August 11, 2023 . 'Secretive' creature —with sharp claws — found lurking on island. It's a new species . August 16, 2023 . Miami Herald.