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
Monitor lizards are lizards in the genus ''Varanus,'' the only extant genus in the family Varanidae. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania, and one species is also found in the Americas as an invasive species. About 80 species are recogn ...
in the
family Varanidae. The species is
endemic to
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
.
Etymology
The
specific name Specific name may refer to:
* in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database
In taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules:
* Specific name (botany), the two-part (bino ...
, ''bushi'', is in honor of Australian
naturalist and
herpetologist Brian Gordon Bush
Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan in English) is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin, as well as a surname of Occitan origin. It is common in the English-speaking world.
It is possible that the name is derived from an Old Celtic word meani ...
(born 1947).
Taxonomy
''V. bushi'' belongs to the
subgenus
In biology, a subgenus (plural: subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.
In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between t ...
''Odatria''.
Description
''V. bushi'' is most similar to the
stripe-tailed goanna
The stripe-tailed goanna (''Varanus caudolineatus''), also known as the line-tailed pygmy monitor is a semi-arboreal species of monitor lizard native to Western Australia.
Description
They can grow up to 32 cm in total length but reach sexu ...
(''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.
Geographic range
The Pilbara monitor inhabits the
Pilbara region of
Western Australia.
Habitat
The preferred natural
habitats of ''V. bushi'' are
desert
A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...
and
savanna.
Behaviour
Details about the behaviour of ''V. bushi'' are relatively unknown. However, it is known to be
arboreal and to shelter in bark crevices, in hollow trees, and under fallen logs.
Reproduction
''V. bushi'' is
oviparous
Oviparous animals are animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive method of most fish, amphibians, most reptiles, and all pterosaurs, dinosaurs (including birds), and ...
.
["''Varanus bushi'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.]
References
Further reading
*
Aplin KP,
Fitch AJ,
King DJ (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. .
*
Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). ''A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition''. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. .
External links
Photo at AROD.com.au (Retrieved 12 February 2010).
Range map at Australianreptileguide.com (Retrieved 12 August 2010).
"''Varanus bushi'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile database.org. (Retrieved 13 February 2010).
Varanus
Reptiles of Western Australia
Reptiles described in 2006
Monitor lizards of Australia
{{Lizard-stub