DOCSLIB.ORG

Present Status of Three Monitor Lizards (Varanus Bengalensis, V. Flavescens and V

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

ISSN 0375-1511 Rec. zool. Surv. India : 113(Part-1): 203-210, 2013 PRESENT STATUS OF THREE MONITOR LIZARDS (VARANUS BENGALENSIS, V. FLAVESCENS AND V. SALVATOR ) IN THE SUNDERBANS VARADARAJU* Zoological Survey of India, Sunderbans Regional Centre, Canning - 743392, West Bengal INTRODUCTION (1998) who listed about 77 species and recently Sunderbans is one of the important biosphere Bohme (2003) listed about 58 different species and reserve's and a world heritage site too. They cover 28 subspecies of monitor lizards. Very recently of about 9630 sq/km, out of which 4264 sq/km Koch et. al. (2010)who listed 73 extant species of holds mangrove forest and an area of 1330.1 monitor lizards in the world. There were 46 sq/km is designated as core area. It has more than species of monitor lizards so for found on three 106 Islands. It is one of the largest wetland continents namely Africa, Australia and Asia and ecosystems with number of rivers, rivulets and only about 9 species of monitor lizards were creeks. It is home for a rich and varied fauna and reported from Asian Continent (Bennett, 1998). flora and also a feeding and breeding ground for There are only four species of monitor lizards in the nesting water monitor and also is the ground India i.e. Varanus bengalensis, V. flavescens, V. for Olive Ridley Turtle. salvator and V. griseus. Excepting the Desert monitor, the remaining three species are recorded The modern squamates evolved from a from the study areas. common ancestral Diapsid reptile stock which inhabited earth roughly about 155 million years The populations of monitor lizards have ago in the middle of the Jurassic period of the severely shrink in number and the lizards are at Mesozoic era. The Order comprises nearly 3272 risk throughout the range of their occurrence. species under 357 Genera included in 12 Families The monitor lizards have been exploited from all over the world except Arctic, New commercially for their valuable skin and also Zealand and Ireland. The reptilian fauna of India captured for eating by fisher folk in the comprises 500 species (Das, 2003) and they occur Sunderbans. Hence, all the four species of monitor in varied habitats from plains to mountains, low lizards were protected under Schedule I of IWPA, to heavy rain fall area and even in deserts, 1972. The protection and preservation of the occupying every ecological niche of the Republic endangered species in the wild is one of the of India. primary goals of wildlife conservation and management. The objectives of the present study The monitor lizards are the largest Saurians of were to accumulate information on diversity and the world and inhabit Africa, Arabian Peninsula, distribution of monitor lizard Sin Sunderbans and South and South-East Asia as well as Indo- (ii) to determine current status and threat faced by Australian Archipelago including Australia and the monitor lizards in Sunderbans. Since, the several Pacific Islands. One of the comprehensive information would be helpful for conservation listings of monitor lizards was published by Lisle and management of monitor lizards in its natural *Present Address : M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700053 204 Rec. zool. Surv. India habitats. It is hoped that the results achieved KNOWN DISTRIBUTION during the study will help a better management of The Indian Monitor occurs throughout the the valuable and endangered reptiles. Indian subcontinent including Western Ghats. In TAXONOMY addition, the species is recorded in Sri Lanka, Systematic position of Indian Monitor Myanmar, Bangladesh, South east Iran, Lizards are: Afghanistan, Pakistan and South eastern Uzbekistan. CLASS: REPTILIA ORDER: SQUAMATA The Yellow monitor is recorded from FAMILY: VARANIDAE Northern and North eastern India from Punjab to Genus: Varanus Merrem Orissa, West Bengal and Assam. In Orissa, it Varanus bengalensis (Daudin, 1758) Common Monitor inhabits the drainage system of Brahmani and Mahanadi rivers. In West Bengal, it is widely Size: Adult, medium distributed and is found in Terai, Siliguri in Weight: 3.5 Kg Darjeeling District; Botanical gardens in Howrah Length: From snout to vent= 74 cm; Tail 100.0 cm. District; Sagar Island, Pathar Protima and Kakdwip in 24 Parganas District; Krishnagar in Field notes: The Indian monitor is dorsally dark brownish or olive brown with blackish dots Nadia District; Singur in Hooghly District; and ventrally yellowish, spotted with numerous Goalbathan, Pakur, Kharagpur and Medinipur in black spots. Tail is quite long and compressed. It Medinipur District. In Assam the yellow monitors always preferring undisturbed places far from reported from Guwahati and Goalpara in Dhubri human settlements, the common monitor is active District. In Bihar the monitor was reported from during the summer. Patna. In Uttar Pradesh the monitor was recorded Varanus flavescens (Hardwicke & Gray, 1827) from Gorakhpur, Fatehgarh, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Agra District. Also reported the county's Yellow Monitor capital, New Delhi. Elsewhere known from Size: Adult, medium Bangladesh, Nepal and also Pakistan. Weight: 3.0 Kg. The water monitor restricted to the mangrove Length from Snout to vent: 31.5 cm; tail swamps of Sunderbans in West Bengal, 38.4cm. Bhitarkanika in Orissa and Andaman and Field notes: The yellow monitor is dorsally Nicobar Islands. Very recently it has been light brown or yellow, with fused light transverse recorded form Khasi Hills from Meghalaya. bars. The tail is very short. It is partial to wetlands Outside India recorded from South east Asia, where it can burrow easily and seek its food. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Southern China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kampuchea Laos, Varanus salvator (Laurent, 1768) Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Water Monitor Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Size: Grown up adult STUDY AREA Weight: More than 6.0 Kg. The study was carried out throughout the Length: Total length including tail Sunderbans selecting localities Gosaba, approximately 250 cm. Sajnekhali, Pakhiralaya, Sajalya and Basanti; Field notes: The water monitors dorsally looks B a k k h a l i a n d B h a g b a t p u r ; K a k d w i p , dark alive, snout light with transverse black bars. Bishalakshipur, Namkhana, PatharProtima and Ventrally yellow, head is tapering, long slender Sagar Island (Chhayerghari, Sreedham, neck. It is the longest of all the monitor lizards. Chamagudi and Kali Bazar). VARADARAJU : Present Status of Three Monitor Lizards 205 TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE OF THE status of these species in Sunderbans and the STUDY AREA details are as given below : (i). Physical features: In Sunderbans tides First survey was undertaken from 20.10.2008 to influence the water quality and water 29.10.2008 movement caused by surface and Second survey was undertaken from 13.08.2009 to bottom currents. The circulation of 22.08.2009 water is a major factor in maintaining Third survey was undertaken from 26.03. 2010 to the populations of sessile and benthic 04.04. 2010 organisms. The salinity of the water is Fourth and final survey was undertaken from an important factor influencing the 13.09.2010 to 22.09.2010 distribution and biology of organisms. The depth and width of estuary are also METHODOLOGY varied with season and depends upon The survey were undertaken throughout the influence of fresh water and distance Sunderbans in selected localities for the period from sea. Turbidity is high during from April, 2008 to march, 2011. The surveys were monsoon and low during winter. conducted at different habitat types including (ii). Climate: The weather of Sunderbans the protected areas. can be classified into three types as The observations on monitor lizards were monsoon-it starts from July and made using visual encounter surveys method continues upto October with occasional (VEL) (Campbell and Christman, 1982; Com and rains throughout the year. The post Bury, 1990; Crump and Scott, 1994) to gather data monsoon is characterised by cold on population of Varanus and general areas. weather with thunder storms, of which Surveys were carried out in different aquatic and usually happen during March-June terrestrial habitats using a binocular. Thorough every year. investigation were conducted in different habitat (iii). Vegetation: the Sunderbans is unique in types including forest, grassland, human nature and their tools for survival settlements, wetlands and agricultural lands the evolved over millions of years makes time of sighting, number of individuals, size and interesting scientifically. The mangrove the habitat types were noted with GPS forests are salinity resistant and hence coordinates. Morphological measurements were they are called as halophytes where they taken using 1 m measuring tapes. After recording developed extensive root system with a the measurements, the animals were released into number of pneumatophores to draw their original habitats. The representative habitats oxygen. In all there are 26 species of were surveyed by foot between 1000 hr to 1600hr. mangrove plants are found in in The animals were identified and verified by the Sunderbans. In terms of the faunal help of field guide of Daniel (2002). elements, there are more than 980 species of vertebrates and ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR invertebrates. The fishes, birds among Indian Monitor vertebrates and arthropods, mollusca and annelids among invertebrates Habit and Habitat: The Indian monitor is constitute the dominant group of diurnal in habits. It inhabits forest, desert, river animals. banks, by the side of nullah, marshy land, and tidal creeks. It occupies burrows, dense STUDY PERIOD vegetation, hollows of trees, creeks and cervices. Totally four surveys were undertaken during It is a god climber, runner and also a good different seasons to assess the population and swimmer. 206 Rec. zool. Surv. India Food and Feeding habit: It is carnivorous and motionless during basking nearly for about two to feeds mainly on terrestrial vertebrates like birds three hours. During basking it did not get upset and their eggs, rats, frogs, fish and also feeds on even after repeated disturbance.
Recommended publications
  • THESIS APPROVAL Differentiation of Varanus Spp. in Thailand By

    THESIS APPROVAL Differentiation of Varanus Spp. in Thailand By

    THESIS APPROVAL GRADUATE SCHOOL, KASETSART UNIVERSITY Master of Science (Veterinary Pathology) DEGREE Veterinary Pathology Pathology FIELD DEPARTMENT TITLE: Differentiation of Varanus spp. in Thailand by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) NAME: Miss Wallaya Phongphaew THIS THESIS HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THESIS ADVISOR ( Associate Professor Theerapol Sirinarumitr, D.V.M., Ph.D. ) THESIS CO-ADVISOR ( Associate Professor Chaleow Salakij, D.V.M., Ph.D. ) DEPARTMENT HEAD ( Associate Professor Chaleow Salakij, D.V.M., Ph.D. ) APPROVED BY THE GRADUATE SCHOOL ON DEAN ( Associate Professor Gunjana Theeragool, D.Agr. ) THESIS DIFFERENTIATION OF VARANUS SPP. IN THAILAND BY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION-RESTRICTION FRAGMENT LENGTH POLYMORPHISM (PCR-RFLP) WALLAYA PHONGPHAEW A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Veterinary Pathology) Graduate School, Kasetsart University 2010 Wallaya Phongphaew 2010: Differentiation of Varanus spp. in Thailand by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Master of Science (Veterinary Pathology), Major Field: Veterinary Pathology, Department of Pathology. Thesis Advisor: Associate Professor Theerapol Sirinarumitr, Ph.D. 70 pages. The twenty two samples of monitor from Thailand were differentiated by using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique, this study worked based on cytochrome b gene and 12S rRNA gene. The PCR products were approximate 376 and 450 bp respectively. The cytochrome b gene products were treated with BstXI, BanI, HpaII and EcoRI , the 12S rRNA gene products were treated with ApaI, BamHI and HaeIII to observe the different patterns, which specific to each monitor. The results from both genes analysis showed the different patterns among species, but the variations between subspecies were observed in cytochrome b gene only.
  • Iguanid and Varanid CAMP 1992.Pdf

    Iguanid and Varanid CAMP 1992.Pdf

    CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR IGUANIDAE AND VARANIDAE WORKING DOCUMENT December 1994 Report from the workshop held 1-3 September 1992 Edited by Rick Hudson, Allison Alberts, Susie Ellis, Onnie Byers Compiled by the Workshop Participants A Collaborative Workshop AZA Lizard Taxon Advisory Group IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group SPECIES SURVIVAL COMMISSION A Publication of the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group 12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124 USA A contribution of the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, and the AZA Lizard Taxon Advisory Group. Cover Photo: Provided by Steve Reichling Hudson, R. A. Alberts, S. Ellis, 0. Byers. 1994. Conservation Assessment and Management Plan for lguanidae and Varanidae. IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group: Apple Valley, MN. Additional copies of this publication can be ordered through the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, 12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124. Send checks for US $35.00 (for printing and shipping costs) payable to CBSG; checks must be drawn on a US Banlc Funds may be wired to First Bank NA ABA No. 091000022, for credit to CBSG Account No. 1100 1210 1736. The work of the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group is made possible by generous contributions from the following members of the CBSG Institutional Conservation Council Conservators ($10,000 and above) Australasian Species Management Program Gladys Porter Zoo Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Sponsors ($50-$249) Chicago Zoological
  • Attachment J Assessment of Existing Paleontologic Data Along with Field Survey Results for the Jonah Field

    Attachment J Assessment of Existing Paleontologic Data Along with Field Survey Results for the Jonah Field

    Attachment J Assessment of Existing Paleontologic Data Along with Field Survey Results for the Jonah Field June 12, 2007 ABSTRACT This is compilation of a technical analysis of existing paleontological data and a limited, selective paleontological field survey of the geologic bedrock formations that will be impacted on Federal lands by construction associated with energy development in the Jonah Field, Sublette County, Wyoming. The field survey was done on approximately 20% of the field, primarily where good bedrock was exposed or where there were existing, debris piles from recent construction. Some potentially rich areas were inaccessible due to biological restrictions. Heavily vegetated areas were not examined. All locality data are compiled in the separate confidential appendix D. Uinta Paleontological Associates Inc. was contracted to do this work through EnCana Oil & Gas Inc. In addition BP and Ultra Resources are partners in this project as they also have holdings in the Jonah Field. For this project, we reviewed a variety of geologic maps for the area (approximately 47 sections); none of maps have a scale better than 1:100,000. The Wyoming 1:500,000 geology map (Love and Christiansen, 1985) reveals two Eocene geologic formations with four members mapped within or near the Jonah Field (Wasatch – Alkali Creek and Main Body; Green River – Laney and Wilkins Peak members). In addition, Winterfeld’s 1997 paleontology report for the proposed Jonah Field II Project was reviewed carefully. After considerable review of the literature and museum data, it became obvious that the portion of the mapped Alkali Creek Member in the Jonah Field is probably misinterpreted.
  • Varanus Doreanus) in Australia

    Varanus Doreanus) in Australia

    BIAWAK Journal of Varanid Biology and Husbandry Volume 11 Number 1 ISSN: 1936-296X On the Cover: Varanus douarrha The individuals depicted on the cover and inset of this issue represent a recently redescribed species of monitor lizard, Varanus douarrha (Lesson, 1830), which origi- nates from New Ireland, in the Bismark Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. Although originally discovered and described by René Lesson in 1830, the holotype was lost on its way to France when the ship it was traveling on became shipwrecked at the Cape of Good Hope. Since then, without a holotype for comparitive studies, it has been assumed that the monitors on New Ireland repre- sented V. indicus or V. finschi. Recent field investiga- tions by Valter Weijola in New Ireland and the Bismark Archipelago and phylogenetic analyses of recently col- lected specimens have reaffirmed Lesson’s original clas- sification of this animal as a distinct species. The V. douarrha depicted here were photographed by Valter Weijola on 17 July and 9 August 2012 near Fis- soa on the northern coast of New Ireland. Both individu- als were found basking in coconut groves close to the beach. Reference: Weijola, V., F. Kraus, V. Vahtera, C. Lindqvist & S.C. Donnellan. 2017. Reinstatement of Varanus douarrha Lesson, 1830 as a valid species with comments on the zoogeography of monitor lizards (Squamata: Varanidae) in the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. Australian Journal of Zoology 64(6): 434–451. BIAWAK Journal of Varanid Biology and Husbandry Editor Editorial Review ROBERT W. MENDYK BERND EIDENMÜLLER Department of Herpetology Frankfurt, DE Smithsonian National Zoological Park [email protected] 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008, US RUSTON W.
  • Varanus Macraei

    Varanus Macraei

    BIAWAK Journal of Varanid Biology and Husbandry Volume 13 Number 2 ISSN: 1936-296X On the Cover: Varanus macraei The Blue tree monitors, Varanus mac- raei depicted on the cover and inset of this issue were hatched on 14 No- vember 2019 at Bristol Zoo Gardens (BZG) and are the first of their spe- cies to hatch at a UK zoological in- stitution. Two live offspring from an original clutch of four eggs hatched after 151 days of incubation at a tem- perature of 30.5 °C. The juveniles will remain on dis- play at BZG until they are eventually transferred to other accredited Euro- pean Association of Zoos & Aquari- ums (EAZA) institutions as part of the zoo breeding programme. Text and photographs by Adam Davis. BIAWAK Journal of Varanid Biology and Husbandry Editor Editorial Review ROBERT W. MENDYK BERND EIDENMÜLLER Department of Herpetology Frankfurt, DE Smithsonian National Zoological Park [email protected] 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008, US RUston W. Hartdegen [email protected] Department of Herpetology Dallas Zoo, US Department of Herpetology [email protected] Audubon Zoo 6500 Magazine Street TIM JESSOP New Orleans, LA 70118, US Department of Zoology [email protected] University of Melbourne, AU [email protected] Associate Editors DAVID S. KIRSHNER Sydney Zoo, AU DANIEL BENNETT [email protected] PO Box 42793 Larnaca 6503, CY JEFFREY M. LEMM [email protected] San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Zoological Society of San Diego, US MICHAEL Cota [email protected] Natural History Museum National Science Museum, Thailand LAURENCE PAUL Technopolis, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang San Antonio, TX, US Pathum Thani 12120, TH [email protected] [email protected] SAMUEL S.
  • Late Cretaceous) of Morocco : Palaeobiological and Behavioral Implications Remi Allemand

    Late Cretaceous) of Morocco : Palaeobiological and Behavioral Implications Remi Allemand

    Endocranial microtomographic study of marine reptiles (Plesiosauria and Mosasauroidea) from the Turonian (Late Cretaceous) of Morocco : palaeobiological and behavioral implications Remi Allemand To cite this version: Remi Allemand. Endocranial microtomographic study of marine reptiles (Plesiosauria and Mosasauroidea) from the Turonian (Late Cretaceous) of Morocco : palaeobiological and behavioral implications. Paleontology. Museum national d’histoire naturelle - MNHN PARIS, 2017. English. NNT : 2017MNHN0015. tel-02375321 HAL Id: tel-02375321 https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-02375321 Submitted on 22 Nov 2019 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. MUSEUM NATIONAL D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE Ecole Doctorale Sciences de la Nature et de l’Homme – ED 227 Année 2017 N° attribué par la bibliothèque |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| THESE Pour obtenir le grade de DOCTEUR DU MUSEUM NATIONAL D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE Spécialité : Paléontologie Présentée et soutenue publiquement par Rémi ALLEMAND Le 21 novembre 2017 Etude microtomographique de l’endocrâne de reptiles marins (Plesiosauria et Mosasauroidea) du Turonien (Crétacé supérieur) du Maroc : implications paléobiologiques et comportementales Sous la direction de : Mme BARDET Nathalie, Directrice de Recherche CNRS et les co-directions de : Mme VINCENT Peggy, Chargée de Recherche CNRS et Mme HOUSSAYE Alexandra, Chargée de Recherche CNRS Composition du jury : M.
  • By Varanus Flavescens (Squamata: Varanidae)

    By Varanus Flavescens (Squamata: Varanidae)

    NATURAL HISTORY NOTE The Herpetological Bulletin 145, 2018: 34 Attempted predation of Varanus bengalensis (Squamata: Varanidae) by Varanus flavescens (Squamata: Varanidae) ANIRBAN CHAUDHURI1 & SUBHADEEP CHOWDHURY2* 16/7, Nature Mates, Bijoygarh, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India 2Krishnachak, Dhurkhali, Howrah 711410, West Bengal, India *Corresponding author Email: [email protected] he yellow monitor, Varanus flavescens (Hardwicke & Gray, 1827), is a diurnal carnivorous lizard that Tfeeds on a range of animal prey (Auffenberg et. al. 1989). It is distributed in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan (Wangyal, 2011). The Bengal monitor V. bengalensis (Daudin, 1802), is also diurnal and a generalist feeder found in India, with a range extending from Afghanistan to Mayanmar including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal (Das, 2002). On 31 July 2007 at c.a 15:18 h, a foraging adult V. flavescens (about 1 m in length) was observed trying to predate a juvenile V. bengalensis (approx. 12 inch in length) at Bongaon, 24 Parganas (north) district, West Bengal, India (23°04’40’’ N, 88°82’77’’ E, WGS 84, elev. 15 m) (Fig. 1). The V. flavescens held on to the cornered juvenile Figure 1. Attemped predation of yellow monitor lizard on Bengal V. bengalensis by its mid-body while in response the latter monitor lizard bit and held onto one of the digits of the front left leg of the predator. This situation continued for approximately REFERENCES 7 min. The V. flavescens was observed thrashing its head sideways at intervals in an attempt to release its foot which Auffenberg, W., Rahman, H., Iffat, F. & Perveen, Z.
  • Varanus Flavescens: Status, Distribution and Potential Threats – a Case from Nepal

    Varanus Flavescens: Status, Distribution and Potential Threats – a Case from Nepal

    Biawak, 12(1), pp. 37–41 © 2018 by International Varanid Interest Group Varanus flavescens: Status, Distribution and Potential Threats – A Case from Nepal AJAY KARKI1, DURGA KARKI1, SHANTA RAJ JNAWALI2, SHAMBHU PAUDEL3, SHALU ADHIKARI4 & SAROJ PANTHI1* 1Department of Forests Ministry of Forests and Environment Kathmandu, Nepal 2Hariyo Ban Program, WWF Kathmandu, Nepal 3Tribhuvan University, Institute of Forestry Pokhara, Nepal 4World Wildlife Fund Kathmandu, Nepal *Email: [email protected] Abstract - Varanus flavescens is the least studied varanid lizard of Nepal, and scientific information about this species is very limited. This study explored the status, abundance and existing threats of V. flavescens around the Jagdishpur Reservoir of Nepal through field work and questionnaire surveys. A population estimate survey was conducted along transect lines and a distribution map was prepared based on both direct observations of the species and indirect evidence of its presence. The study found that grass cover within swampy areas and along stream beds are the preferred habitats of this species. The major cause of population decline for V. flavescens in the study area is illegal hunting. Introduction Conservation Monitoring Centre, 1996). In Nepal, V. flavescens is found in 25 districts (Shah & Tiwari, 2004), Varanus flavescens, the yellow or golden monitor and is protected by the National Parks and Wildlife lizard, is a carnivorous poikilothermic reptile (Shah & Conservation Act of 1973 (GoN, 1973). The Department Tiwari, 2004; Ghimire & Shah, 2014) that occurs in of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan (Auffenberg, is the only government agency in Nepal which works 1989; World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 1996).
  • ZOO VIEW Tales of Monitor Lizard Tails and Other Perspectives

    ZOO VIEW Tales of Monitor Lizard Tails and Other Perspectives

    178 ZOO VIEW Herpetological Review, 2019, 50(1), 178–201. © 2019 by Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Tales of Monitor Lizard Tails and Other Perspectives SINCE I—ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO—GOT MY FIRST LIVING NILE MONITOR OTHER AS THE ROLL OVER AND OVER ON THE GROUND. THE VICTOR THEN AND BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH HIS LIFE HABITS IN THE TERRARIUM, THE COURTS THE FEMALE, FIRST FLICKING HIS TONGUE ALL OVER HER AND THEN, MONITOR LIZARDS HAVE FASCINATED ME ALL THE TIME, THESE ‘PROUDEST, IF SHE CONCURS, CLIMBING ON TOP OF HER AND MATING BY CURLING THE BEST-PROPORTIONED, MIGHTIEST, AND MOST INTELLIGENT’ LIZARDS AS BASE OF HIS TAIL BENEATH HERS AND INSERTING ONE OF HIS TWO HEMIPENES [FRANZ] WERNER STRIKINGLY CALLED THEM. INTO HER CLOACA. (MALE VARANIDS HAVE A UNIQUE CARTILAGINOUS, —ROBERT MERTENS (1942) SOMETIMES BONY, SUPPORT STRUCTURE IN EACH HEMIPENES, CALLED A HEMIBACULUM). MODERN COMPARATIVE METHODS ALLOW THE EXAMINATION OF —ERIC R. PIANKA AND LAURIE J. VITT (2003) THE PROBABLE COURSE OF EVOLUTION IN A LINEAGE OF LIZARDS (FAMILY VARANIDAE, GENUS VARANUS). WITHIN THIS GENUS, BODY MASS VARIES MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING DIVERSITY OF VARANIDS, AS WELL AS BY NEARLY A FULL FIVE ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE. THE FOSSIL RECORD AND CLADE DIVERSITY OF ALL OTHER EXTANT LIZARDS, WILL DEPEND INCREASINGLY PRESENT GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION SUGGEST THAT VARANIDS AROSE ON OUR ABILITY TO MANAGE AND SHARE BELEAGUERED SPACESHIP OVER 65 MILLION YR AGO IN LAURASIA AND SUBSEQUENTLY DISPERSED EARTH. CURRENT AND EXPANDING LEVELS OF HUMAN POPULATIONS ARE TO AFRICA AND AUSTRALIA. TWO MAJOR LINEAGES HAVE UNDERGONE UNSUSTAINABLE AND ARE DIRECT AND INDIRECT CAUSES OF HABITAT LOSS.
  • Can Humans Share Spaceship Earth?

    Can Humans Share Spaceship Earth?

    Copyright: © 2012 Pianka. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 6(1):1-24. original author and source are credited. POINT OF VIEW Can humans share spaceship earth? Eric R. Pianka Section of Integrative Biology C0930, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA Abstract.—Earth was a pretty durable spaceship, but we have managed to trash its life support systems, the atmosphere, and the oceans. Humans have also destroyed vast areas of habitats and !"#$%&'(&)*%#'+*,(-&"./*0&*-#1&*%,)23&)*(-&*#(%,.4-&"&*#')*2'*),2'$*.,*-#1&*2'5"&#.&)*(-&* greenhouse effect, which has changed the climate to produce ever increasing maximum tempera- tures. Increased temperatures threaten some lizard species in highly biodiverse tropical and sub- tropical regions. Many lizards are also threatened by habitat loss and over-harvesting. Although lizards are ectotherms and might therefore be expected to be resilient to global warming, evidence strongly suggests that many species could be threatened by warming. Some, such as fossorial or nocturnal species or those in cold temperate regions, may be little affected by climate warming but many others such as thermoconformer species in tropical forests and live bearers appear to be particularly vulnerable. The 2011 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists 12 lizard species as ex- tinct and another 462 species as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable. Together, these constitute at least 8.4%, probably more, of all described lizard species. The highly biodiverse lizard fauna of Madagascar is especially threatened mostly due to habitat loss from extensive deforesta- tion by humans.
  • Varanus Flavescens (Yellow Monitor): Thermoregulation

    Varanus Flavescens (Yellow Monitor): Thermoregulation

    NATURAL HISTORY NOTE The Herpetological Bulletin 129, 2014: 27 Varanus flavescens (yellow monitor): Thermoregulation HASSAN AL-RAZI*, MOHAMMAD ABDUL BAKI & SHAYER MAHMOOD IBNEY ALAM. Department of Zoology, Jagannath University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh *Corresponding author email: [email protected] Varanus flavescens is one of three monitor lizard species remained inactive and did not appear to be afraid of us. in Bangladesh (Islam, 2009). Their distribution includes After half an hour we found the lizard at the same place. floodplains of the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers We also found a burrow about 8 m away from it. in Pakistan, Northern India, Nepal, and Bangladesh Yellow monitor lizards are least active between (Auffenberg et al., 1989; Visser, 2004; Islam 2009). November and February (Visser, 2004). They are Although the species is widely distributed in Bangladesh, known to dig burrows on cold nights during this period it is considered to be endangered (IUCN, 2000; Khan, (Auffenberg et al. 1989). Because of the cold and lack of 2008). Very few behavioural records are available, because sunshine, the lizard might have been compelled to absorb the highly secretive nature of these lizards makes them heat from the alternative source of the embers. This kind difficult to locate (Visser, 2004). Like many diurnal lizard of thermoregulatory behaviour has not been recorded species, yellow monitors regulate their body temperature previously by shifting between sunny and shady areas, hence basking is an important behaviour. In this note, we report a most ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS unusual type of thermoregulatory behaviour exhibited by V. flavescens. We thank Mobasser Alam for his support during field On 30 December 2012 at 09:28 am, an adult work and Caio A.
  • Public Attitudes Toward Monitor Lizards (Reptilia: Varanidae): a Conservation Challenge in the Human- Dominated Ecosystems of Bangladesh

    Public Attitudes Toward Monitor Lizards (Reptilia: Varanidae): a Conservation Challenge in the Human- Dominated Ecosystems of Bangladesh

    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Kazan Federal University Digital Repository Annual Research and Review in Biology, 2017, vol.13, N6 Public attitudes toward monitor lizards (reptilia: varanidae): A conservation challenge in the human- dominated ecosystems of Bangladesh Rahman K., Rakhimov I., Khan M. Kazan Federal University, 420008, Kremlevskaya 18, Kazan, Russia Abstract © 2017 Rahman et al. The present study investigated the public attitudes toward monitor lizards in the human-dominated ecosystems of sub-tropical Bangladesh. In this regard, a total of 100 participants between the age of 15-65 were randomly selected from five different parts (20 participants from each part) of Bangladesh. Based on participants’ opinion, Varanus bengalensis is mostly known (58±2.20) and Varanus salvator is the least known (22±3.48) species among three monitor lizard species found in Bangladesh. Surprisingly, most of the participants (77±0.50) mentioned that monitor lizards are snakes. Though all the monitor lizards found in Bangladesh are non-venomous, a significant proportion (63±1.53) of the participants believe that monitor lizards are venomous and can attack and bite people. The participants’ viewpoint throughout the country regarding the above-mentioned issues, however, were somewhat similar (χ 2 test, p > 0.05). Despite their negative perception, most of the participants (71±1.27) agreed that monitor lizards play vital role in our ecosystems. The populations of monitor lizards are declining day by day at an alarming rate. Most of the participants (32±0.50) mentioned that retribution killing is the primary cause of the decline of monitor lizards.