 |
| Varanus iridis, Varanus umbra & Varanus phosphoros Zozaya, Read, Macor, Pavón-Vázquez, Gale, Wright & Broady, 2026 |
Abstract
Monitor lizards (Varanus) are among the most iconic reptiles in the world and reach peak diversity in Australia, yet species diversity on the continent remains incompletely documented. We describe three new species of small-bodied, rock-adapted Varanus from north-eastern Australia (Varanus phosphoros sp. nov., Varanus iridis sp. nov., and Varanus umbra sp. nov.) that form a previously unrecognized and deeply divergent (∼7 Mya) clade within the subgenus Odatria. Despite their distinctive coloration, occurrence near major towns, and informal recognition of one species, these lineages have remained undescribed until now. Through targeted fieldwork, we collected voucher specimens to generate genomic and morphological data clarifying evolutionary relationships. We applied a reference-based framework for species delimitation, using sympatric species with evidence of reproductive isolation to calibrate thresholds of genetic divergence and inform taxonomic decisions. All three taxa are strongly supported as evolutionarily independent lineages based on genetic divergence, sympatry with congeners, and morphological differentiation. These are the first scansorial, rock-adapted Varanus described from east of the Carpentarian Gap (a major biogeographical barrier) and add to a growing list of endemic reptiles from the eastern savannas of Australia. Our findings underscore the value of rocky habitats in generating endemic diversity and highlight the utility of calibrated genetic benchmarks in species delimitation.
Odatria, Queensland, species delimitation, Varanus iridis, Varanus umbra, Varanus phosphoros
 |
| Photographs in life of Varanus iridis (A, B), Varanus umbra (C, D), Varanus phosphoros (E, F), and Varanus orientalis (G, H). A, paratype QM J99219 from Talaroo Station; B, unvouchered individual from Talaroo Station (tissue sample JNW4); C, paratype QM J99224 from Gilberton Station; D, unvouchered individual from Gilberton Station; E, paratype QM J99227 from Isabella Falls; F, unvouchered individual from Mount Molloy; G, unvouchered individual from Gilberton Station (tissue sample JNW6); and H, unvouchered individual from Magnetic Island. Photographs: A–B, D, W. Read; C, E, S. Zozaya; F, J. Meney; G, J. Wright; and H, B. Schembri. |
Varanus phosphoros sp. nov.
Varanus iridis sp. nov.
Varanus umbra sp. nov.
Stephen M Zozaya, Wesley J Read, Scott A Macor, Carlos J Pavón-Vázquez, Nicholas P Gale, Justin M Wright and Elizabeth S Broady. 2026. Three New Species reveal an unrecognized Clade of Rock Monitors (Varanidae: Varanus) from the eastern Australian savannas. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 206(2); zlaf192. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf192 [12 February 2026]
