Panay monitor

The Panay monitor (Varanus mabitang) is an endangered monitor lizard native to Panay Island in the Philippines. Unlike most monitors, it is a specialized frugivore.[4]

Panay monitor
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Subgenus: Philippinosaurus
Species:
V. mabitang
Binomial name
Varanus mabitang
Gaulke & Curio, 2001 [2][3]

Distribution and habitat

The Panay monitor occurs only on Panay, inhabiting remnant forests in the northwestern and western mountain ranges at altitudes of 200–1000 m. It is highly arboreal and dependent on primary forest ecosystems.[1]

Description

This is a large monitor lizard with a length of 1.75 m (5.7 ft), a snout-vent length of 70 cm (28 in) and a mass of 8 kg (18 lb).[5][6]

Conservation

The species is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. It appears to be greatly impacted by habitat loss, and is also a favoured hunting target. The species appears to be rare; only twelve animals have been caught since 2002. There are ongoing conservation efforts being carried out on the island.[1]

References
  1. Gaulke, M.; Diesmos, A.; Demegillo, A.; Gonzalez, J.C. (2009). "Varanus mabitang". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009: e.T169829A6679528. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T169829A6679528.en.
  2. "ITIS Standard Report Page: Varanus mabitang". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  3. "Panay Monitor Lizard - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  4. Gaulke, Maren. "Overview on the Present Knowledge on Varanus mabitang Gaulke and Curio, 2001, Including New Morphological and Meristic Data" (PDF). varanidae.org(International Varanid Interest Group). Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  5. Daniel Bennett, Stephanie J.Law; Merlijn van Weerd, Selvino R. de Kort (2016). Morphology, Activity Area, and Movement Patterns of the Frugivorous Monitor Lizard Varanus bitatawa. Vol. 11. Herpetological Conservation and Biology. pp. 467–475.
  6. Maren Gaukle (2010). "Overview on the Present Knowledge on Varanus mabitang Gaulke and Curio, 2001, Including New Morphological and Meristic Data" (PDF). 4 (2). International Varanid Interest Group. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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