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BIAWAK Journal of Varanid Biology and Husbandry BIAWAK Journal of Varanid Biology and Husbandry Volume 6 Number 1 ISSN: 1936-296X On the Cover: Varanus rudicollis The adult Varanus rudicollis depicted on the cover and inset of this issue was photographed by Gail Baird and Dan Bernard (131 Design Ltd UK) on 20 December 2011 in primary forest at Permai Rainforest Resort, lo- cated ca. 25 km north of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The monitor was initially seen foraging around the roots of a tree in the late afternoon, around 1500 h. Once spotted, it ascended the tree to a height of about 1.5 m where it then froze, allowing for photographs to be taken from a distance of 2 m for approximately 20 minutes. BIAWAK Journal of Varanid Biology and Husbandry Editor Editorial Review ROBERT W. MENDYK Center for Science Teaching and Learning MICHAEL J. BALSAI 1 Tanglewood Road Department of Biology, Temple University Rockville Centre, NY 11570, US Philadelphia, PA 19122, US [email protected] [email protected] BERND EIDENMÜLLER Griesheimer Ufer 53 Associate Editors 65933 Frankfurt, DE [email protected] DANIEL BENNETT Pinaglubayan, Butaan Project MICHAEL FOST Polillo Island, Quezon, Philippines Department of Math and Statistics [email protected] Georgia State University Atlanta, GA 30303, US MICHAEL Cota [email protected] Natural History Museum National Science Museum, Thailand RUSton W. HartdeGEN Technopolis, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang Department of Herpetology, Dallas Zoo Pathum Thani 12120, TH 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway [email protected] Dallas, Texas 75203, US [email protected] ANDRÉ KOCH Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig HANS-GEORG HORN Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity Monitor Lizards Research Station Adenauerallee 160 Hasslinghauser Str. 51 D-53113 Bonn, DE D-45549 Sprockhövel, DE [email protected] [email protected] TIM JESSOP Editorial Liaisons Department of Zoology University of Melbourne JOHN ADRAGNA Parkville, Victoria 3010, AU Cybersalvator.com [email protected] [email protected] JEFFREY M. LEMM MATTHEW SOMMA Applied Animal Ecology Division http://indicus-complex.webs.com San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research [email protected] Zoological Society of San Diego 15600 San Pasqual Valley Rd Escondido, CA 92027, US [email protected] Web Editor RYAN OBERTO [email protected] INTERNATIONAL VARANID INTEREST GROUP www.varanidae.org The International Varanid Interest Group is a volunteer-based organization established to advance varanid research, conservation, and hus- bandry, and to promote scientific literacy among varanid enthusiasts. Membership to the IVIG is free, and open to anyone with an interest in monitor lizards and the advancement of varanid research. Membership includes subscription to Biawak, an international research journal of varanid biology and husbandry, and is available online through the IVIG website. BIAWAK ISSN 1936-296X Journal of Varanid Biology and Husbandry Volume 6 Number 1 June 2012 Organizational News.............................................................................................................................. 4 News Notes............................................................................................................................................ 6 Observations on Parthenogenesis in Monitor Lizards ...........................................................................................................................RALF WIECHMANN 11 Population Status of Two Varanus Species (Reptilia:Sauria:Varanidae) of Sri Lanka’s Puttalam Lagoon System, with Notes on their Diet and Conservation Status .................................D.M.S. SURANJAN KARUNARATHNA, A.A. THASUN AMARASINGHE, MAJINTHA B. MADAWALA & H.K. DUSHANTHA KANDAMBI 22 Predation of an Adult Malaysian Water Monitor Varanus salvator macromaculatus by an Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus ............................................................................................MARCUS NG & ROBERT W. MENDYK 34 Husbandry and Reproduction of Varanus olivaceus Hallowell (Sauria:Varanidae) at the Avilon Montalban Zoological Park ........................................................................................................................MATTHEW D. YUYEK 39 Recent Publications............................................................................................................................... 54 Current Research................................................................................................................................... 57 Research Requests................................................................................................................................. 61 © 2012 International Varanid Interest Group Varanus panoptes panoptes. Iron Range NP, Queensland. Photograph by Steve Kacir (http://www.flickr.com/pho- tos/sekacir/) ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS BIAWAK Celebrates its Sixth Year of Publication Since its inception in 2007, the International Varanid four issues a year to two. It is believed that this is the Interest Group has grown steadily in terms of membership best strategy to prevent publication delays in the future. and the number of countries reached. As of May 2012, Some changes have also been made to the editorial IVIG membership totaled an impressive 691 individuals board, and the IVIG is currently seeking editorial and from 49 nations (Figs. 1 & 2). In retrospect, the success zoo liaisons from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and global distribution of Biawak can be attributed to and Australia to help promote Biawak and encourage its open-source electronic format, and would not have greater participation from zoos in the exchange of been possible if it were offered as a print publication due information and collaboration with the international to various logistical problems and associated expenses. varanid community. As a volunteer-based publication, Biawak has been successful in increasing its membership and presence within the herpetological community without any paid 26.3% marketing or advertising campaigns, relying primarily 36.1% United States on word of mouth promotion by its members. We hope England Australia 3.3% that our members continue to support and share this free Germany informational resource with others interested in varanid 3.6% Canada 5.0% Holland 11.1% 3.3% lizards, or herpetology in general. 11.3% France As Biawak now enters its sixth year of publication, Other (42 countries) some changes have been enacted which should help ensure the success and longevity of this specialized publication. Most notably, until further notice, the publication frequency of Biawak will be reduced from Fig. 1. Breakdown of IVIG membership by country. Fig. 2. Current global distribution of IVIG membership as of May 2012. 4 5 BIAWAK VOL. 6 NO. 1 The continued success of Biawak depends entirely on As long as we continue to receive manuscripts and participation from the international varanid community, photographic submissions, we will continue to produce including a steady supply of written and photographic this much-needed informational resource. submissions from academics, zoo professionals, veterinarians, private herpetoculturists, and enthusiasts. -RWM A Call for Papers The IVIG is currently seeking written submissions Assistance with manuscript preparation for first- pertaining to the biology, natural history, and captive time or novice authors is available when requested and husbandry and reproduction of varanid lizards for translational assistance may be available to authors publication in its international research journal Biawak. whose primary language is not English. For style, Full-length research articles and brief reports on varanid format, and photographic specifications, guidelines are natural history, keeping and breeding, and behavior are available on the IVIG website: http://varanidae.org. All welcomed, as well as English translations of previously submissions, including manuscripts and photographs, published works, abstracts of current varanid research, and any further questions should be directed to Robert historical facsimiles and biographies, bibliographies, Mendyk, editor, at [email protected]. and book reviews. Varanus caudolineatus. Loma Glen, WA. Photograph by Judy Dunlop. NEWS NOTES Two Komodo Dragon Deaths at could not show proper documentation of the animals’ legal origins. The confiscated animals were delivered to Surabaya Zoo the province’s forest protection department, and were subsequently sold at an auction the following day since Two Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) have died none represented endangered species. at Surabaya Zoo, East Java, Indonesia. An eight year-old female was first found dead on 23 October 2011, and on Source: Vietnamnet.vn; 27 December 2011 8 November a second dragon – a 20 year-old of undis- closed gender – was also found dead. Though the first animal did not show signs of illness prior to its death, the second specimen was said to have been sick and show- Film Criticized for Alleged ing little movement. The causes of death have yet to be released though infection is suspected for at least one Illegal Use and Torture of individual. Necropsies are currently underway. Monitor Lizard Sources: Jakarta Globe; 25 October 2011, 8 November A social activist filed a court complaint against the In- 2011 dian movie Udumban for allegedly illegally capturing a monitor lizard (species not specified) for use in the film and torturing the specimen. A hearing was scheduled for 16 February,
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