Updated checklist of the living monitor lizards of the world (Squamata: Varanidae)

摘要

We provide an update of Bohme's (2003) checklist of the living monitor lizards of the world. Since this contribution, ten new species and one new subspecies have been described. Ten of these taxa were described from the islands of the Indo-AustralianArchipelago. One Soterosaurus taxon (macromaculatus) was revalidated to subspecies status, whereas the younger melanistic taxon komaini was synonymized with the former. In addition, five taxa (beccarii, cumingi, marmoratus, nuchalis, and togianus), thatwere formerly treated as subspecies, were re-elevated to species rank resulting in 73 extant species (including 21 subspecies). This represents a 20% increase of the world's varanid diversity since 2003. In addition, ongoing taxonomic studies on V. spinulosus from the Solomon Islands (formerly a member of the V. indicus species group) indicate that this species most likely represents a new subgenus. Therefore, this taxon is currently treated incertae sedis. In sum, taxonomic research in monitor lizardsremains incomplete. Further studies must be initiated to fully understand diversity and distribution of these CITES-listed lizards next to implications for sustainable conservation measures.