Yemen monitor

Last updated

Yemen monitor
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Varanidae
Genus: Varanus
Subgenus: Polydaedalus
Species:
V. yemenensis
Binomial name
Varanus yemenensis
Böhme, Joger & Schätti, 1989

The Yemen monitor (Varanus yemenensis) is a species of Varanus that lives in Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Contents

Discovery

Although the species was first described in 1988 by Wolfgang Böhme et al. under the name Varanus yemensis, specimens have been collected since the late 19th century to be held by the British Museum by 1903. However, it was assumed that they were mislabelled and actually came from Africa. The discovery was made in an odd manner: two years before the first description Wolfgang Böhme recognized a yet undescribed species of monitor lizard filmed in a TV documentary about nature in Yemen. A few months later, 8 voucher specimens were brought to Europe. [2] The holotype specimen is ZFMK 46500, a subadult. [3]

Distribution

The Yemen monitor inhabits mainly the Tihama, which is the southwest coast of the Arabian Peninsula from Ta'izz and Khobar to the south of Wadi Maraba and the foothills of the southwestern Arabian mountain range. It occurs at altitudes from 300 to 1800 meters and is not found in the coastal lowlands. The animals live mainly in savannah-like areas or lighter forests, of which the soil mostly consists of sand and stones. [3]

Description

Yemen monitors are stoutly built and grow up to 110 cm (3.6 ft) long. [4] The nasal, temporal and parietal area is swollen, the oblique and slit-like nostril sits right in front of the eyes. Yemen monitor are dark brown and striped with lines that are more or less pronounced depending on the individual. The tail also has dark lines, is strongly laterally compressed and has a median crest. A characteristic feature of Yemen's Waran is the striking yellow lines over the snout. The lines are black for specimens from the highlands near Ta'izz. [3]

Habitat

The Yemen monitor often lives close to shallow water or in dry river beds. During the driest season of the year in the months from January to March its activity may be reduced or even suspended. [2] [3]

Behaviour

Deep burrows are excavated under rocks and tree stumps. They are relatively docile in captivity for a monitor.

Its diet mostly consists of invertebrates such as snails and insects, especially beetles. Large vertebrate prey are presumably taken as well when given the chance to. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monitor lizard</span> Genus of reptiles

Monitor lizards are lizards in the genus Varanus, the only extant genus in the family Varanidae. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania, and one species is also found in the Americas as an invasive species. About 80 species are recognized.

Desert monitor Species of lizard

The desert monitor is a species of monitor lizards of the order Squamata found living throughout North Africa and Central and South Asia. The desert monitor is carnivorous, feeding on a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates.

Sand goanna Species of lizard

The sand goanna is a species of large Australian monitor lizard, also known as Gould's monitor, sand monitor, or racehorse goanna.

Black tree monitor Species of reptile

The black tree monitor or Beccari's monitor is a species of lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is a relatively small member of the family, growing to about 90–120 cm (35–47 in) in total length. V. beccarii is endemic to the Aru Islands off New Guinea, living in an arboreal habitat. The skin color of adults is completely black, to which one common name refers.

Savannah monitor Species of lizard

The savannah monitor is a medium-sized species of monitor lizard native to Africa. The species is known as Bosc's monitor in Europe, since French scientist Louis Bosc first described the species. It belongs to the subgenus Polydaedalus.

Mangrove monitor Species of lizard

The mangrove monitor, mangrove goanna, or Western Pacific monitor lizard is a member of the monitor lizard family with a large distribution from northern Australia and New Guinea to the Moluccas and Solomon Islands. It grows to lengths of 3.5 to 4 ft.

Emerald tree monitor Species of lizard

The emerald tree monitor or green tree monitor, is a small to medium-sized arboreal monitor lizard. It is known for its unusual coloration, which consists of shades from green to turquoise, topped with dark, transversedorsal banding. This coloration helps camouflage it in its arboreal habitat. Its color also makes the emerald tree monitor highly prized in both the pet trade and zoos alike.

Yellow-spotted monitor Species of reptile

The yellow-spotted monitor, also known as the Argus monitor, is a monitor lizard found in northern and western regions of Australia and southern New Guinea.

Spiny-tailed monitor Species of lizard

The spiny-tailed monitor, also known as the Australian spiny-tailed monitor, the ridge-tailed monitor or Ackie's dwarf monitor, is an Australian species of lizard belonging to the genus of monitor lizards (Varanus).

Black-throated monitor Subspecies of lizard

The black-throated monitor is a subspecies of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The subspecies is native to Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peacock monitor</span> Species of lizard

The peacock monitor, also known commonly as Auffenberg's monitor, is a species of small monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species, which belongs to the subgenus Odatria, is endemic to Rote Island, Indonesia.

The Pilbara monitor, also known commonly as Bush's monitor, Bush's pygmy monitor, and the Pilbara mulga goanna, is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

Yellow-headed water monitor Species of lizard

The yellow-headed water monitor, also commonly known as Cuming's water monitor, the Mindanao water monitor, and the Philippine water monitor, is a large species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to the Philippines. It thrives in mangrove, forest and water margins in tropical refuges, where it feeds on birds, fishes, mammals, and carrion.

Finsch's monitor is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is found in New Guinea and Australia.

<i>Varanus kordensis</i> Species of lizard

Varanus kordensis, the Biak tree monitor, is a member of the Varanidae family found on Biak Island in Indonesia. It is also known as the Kordo tree monitor. Long considered a subspecies of the emerald tree monitor, most authorities now treat it as a separate species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitchell's water monitor</span> Species of lizard

Mitchell's water monitor is a semiaquatic species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is native to Australia.

<i>Varanus storri</i> Species of lizard

Storr's monitor is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

The Pilbara rock monitor is a small member of the family Varanidae endemic to the Chichester Range in North West Australia.

Mariana monitor Species of lizard

Varanus tsukamotoi, the Mariana monitor or Saipan monitor, is a species of lizard of the Varanidae family. It is endemic to the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, and has been introduced to Japtan in the Marshall Islands.

<i>Varanus darevskii</i> Extinct species of lizard

Varanus darevskii, also known as the Central Asian monitor, is an extinct species of monitor lizard from the Early Pliocene of Tajikistan, known from a partial skull. V. darevskii might have been a close relative of, and perhaps ancestral to, the modern desert monitor.

References

  1. ↑ Sindaco, R.; Busais, S.M.S.; Al Jumaily, M.M.; Böhme, W.; Sweet, S.; Bennett, D. (2012). "Varanus yemenensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012: e.T178647A1540624. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T178647A1540624.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Bennett, Daniels (1 January 1995). A little book of monitor lizards . Viper Press. pp.  134-135.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Pianka, Eric (2004). Varanoid Lizards of the World . Indiana University Press. pp.  143-145.
  4. ↑ "Varanus Yemenensis". Biocyclopedia.com. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.