Varanus acanthurus
Ridgetail monitor
TAXONOMY: Formerly three populations were recognized (V. a. acanthurus, V. acanthurus brachyurus, V. acanthurus insulanicus); recent research resolved taxonomic uncertainties, resolving the Varanus acanthurus species complex into four valid species, i.e., V. acanthurus, V. insulanicus (now elevated to species status), the new described -> 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
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
Adult Varanus acanthurus, Western Australia State © Ryan J. Ellis
Adult Varanus acanthurus, Western Australia State © Ryan J. Ellis