Varanus acanthurus

Ridgetail monitor

 

TAXONOMY: Formerly three populations were recognized (V. a. acanthurus, V. acanthurus brachyurus, V. acanthurus insulanicus); recent research resolved taxonomic uncertainties, resulting in four valid species of the Varanus acanthurus species complex, i.e., V. acanthurus, V. insulanicus (now elevated to species status),  V. citrinus and V. storri. 

DISTRIBUTION: Western Australia, Northern Territory (inland), &  western Queensland (for detailed distribution data, see Pavón-Vázquez et al. 2022; and compare with Auliya & Koch 2020)

RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern (LC) in 2017 [this assessment only referred to V. acanthurus]

CITES: Appendix II

NATONAL PROTECTION: According to the Australian EPCT Act (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act) of 1999, the commercial export of live specimens is prohibited

THREATS: …

RESEARCH NEEDS: Assess potential threats that could negatively affect the abundance of regional populations

CURRENT PROJECTS: At present unknown