Varanus nuchalis

Rough-necked water monitor

 

DISTRIBUTION: Philippines (for detailed distribution data, see Auliya & Koch 2020)

RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern (LC) in 2021

CITES: Appendix II

NATIONAL PROTECTION: Under the Republic Act No. 9147 of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001

THREATS: Local populations are intensively hunted as bushmeat, and exploitation levels appear unsustainable. Not much research has been conducted to study other potential threats impacting local populations.

RESEARCH NEEDS: Delineation of the geographical range likely also of V. nuchalis considering the proximity of some Western Visayan Isl. like Masbate, Ticao, and Burias in using genomics methods to characterize admixture, to determine if historical gene flow has occurred, and to ascertain whether any gene flow is ongoing among these named taxa would be very informative and important for conservation planning, especially considering the volatile, and ever changing nature of the pet and bushmeat trade.

CURRENT PROJECTS: Currently not known.