Quince Monitor
Encyclopedia
The quince monitor is a species of monitor lizard
, endemic to Indonesia
. It is very closely related to the mangrove monitor (Varanus indicus), with both belonging to the subgenus
Euprepiosaurus.
. Varanus melinus has a black reticulation on the lower part of its neck. The tail
has alternating bands of yellow and black which get pale toward the last third. Its tongue is light pink in color with little variation. The quince monitor's nostril is situated closer to the tip of its snout than to its eye. This species can reach 80–120 cm in total length.
in the Moluccas of Indonesia. This monitor lizard may possibly be found on the Sula Islands
, the Western Moluccas, the Bowokan Islands
, Taliabu Island and Banggai Island
.
Monitor lizard
Monitor lizards are usually large reptiles, although some can be as small as in length. They have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. Most species are terrestrial, but arboreal and semiaquatic monitors are also known...
, endemic to Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. It is very closely related to the mangrove monitor (Varanus indicus), with both belonging to the subgenus
Subgenus
In biology, a subgenus is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.In zoology, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between the generic name and the specific epithet: e.g. the Tiger Cowry of the Indo-Pacific, Cypraea tigris Linnaeus, which...
Euprepiosaurus.
Description
The quince monitor has a bright yellow head, legs, back and tailTail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
. Varanus melinus has a black reticulation on the lower part of its neck. The tail
Tail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
has alternating bands of yellow and black which get pale toward the last third. Its tongue is light pink in color with little variation. The quince monitor's nostril is situated closer to the tip of its snout than to its eye. This species can reach 80–120 cm in total length.
Distribution
Varanus melinus is likely endemic to the Obi IslandsObi Islands
The Obi Islands are a group of islands in the Indonesian province of Maluku. They lie north of Buru and Ceram....
in the Moluccas of Indonesia. This monitor lizard may possibly be found on the Sula Islands
Sula Islands
The Sula Islands are a group of islands in North Maluku in Indonesia. Its three main islands are Mangole, Sanae and Taliabu, with smaller islands Lifamatola and Seho. It is administered as Kepulauan Sula Regency...
, the Western Moluccas, the Bowokan Islands
Bowokan Islands
Bowokan Islands is the southern group of smaller islands within Banggai Islands chain of Banggai Regency of Central Sulawesi. The largest island is named Bowokan Island. Salue Timpaus Strait is to the east, and Gulf of Tolo to the West....
, Taliabu Island and Banggai Island
Banggai Island
Banggai Island is the second largest of the Banggai Islands, an archipelago located at the far eastern end of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The largest island is Peleng, smaller islands of the group are Bowokan, Labobo, Kebongan, Kotudan, Tropettenando, Timpau, Salue Besar, Salue Kecil, Masepe, and...
.