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| Fig. 1. Mangrove monitors and their habitats: Varanus cerambonensis on Ambon (A) and Buru (D). V. rainerguentheri on Halmahera (E) and Obi (F). Coastal vegetation on Ambon (G) and Nipa swamp (H).
Photographs by Valter Weijola.
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Abstract
According to current literature the islands of the central Moluccan region harbor at
least three species of monitor lizards. This suggests similar patterns of species richness to the
northern Moluccas and could imply significant taxonomic and ecological complexity throughout the
Moluccan region. Field investigations in habitats from sea level up to 300 m elevation failed to locate
more than one widespread species, by definition referable to Varanus indicus (type locality Ambon).
Reassessments of records for other species of mangrove monitors show that these can either be
attributed to taxonomic mis-identifications or to colonial-era specimens lacking reliable collection
data. We test Principal Components Analysis of scalation characters as a diagnostic tool for some
of the island populations and species within the Varanus indicus group.
Key words. Monitor, Euprepiosaurus, Varanus indicus, Varanus cerambonensis, Varanus rainerguentheri, Moluccas,
habitat use
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| Fig. 1. Mangrove monitors and their habitats: Varanus cerambonensis on Ambon (A), Seram (B), and Buru (C, D). Varanus rainerguentheri on Halmahera (E) and Obi (F). Coastal vegetation on Ambon (G) and Nipa swamp (H).
Photographs by Valter Weijola.
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Citation: Weijola V, Sweet SS. 2015. A Single Species of Mangrove Monitor (Varanus) occupies Ambon, Seram, Buru and Saparua, Moluccas, Indonesia.
Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 9(1) [General Section]: 14–23 (e95).
Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 9(1) [General Section]: 14–23 (e95).
