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. 

DISTRIBUTIONWestern 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