Northern Sierra Madre forest monitor
| Northern Sierra Madre Forest Monitor Lizard | |
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| Species: | Varanus bitatawa
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| Varanus bitatawa ?, 2010
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The Northern Sierra Madre Forest Monitor Lizard (Varanus bitatawa) is a dragon-sized, arboreal, fruit-eating lizard of the genus Varanus.[1] The lizard is eaten by the Agta and Ilongot indigenous people of the Philippines.[2]
Geographic distribution
Its known range is currently limited to the Sierra Madre Forest, in the northeastern coast of the island of Luzon, Philippines.
Taxonomy
It was confirmed as a new species in April 2010 by biologists from the University of Kansas. DNA analysis has revealed a deep genetic divergence between this species and its closest relative, Gray's monitor lizard, which is also a fruit-eater but lives on the southern end of Luzon, rather than the northern end where the forest monitor lizard lives. These findings were published in Biology Letters, the journal of the Royal Society.
Physical Description
The forest monitor lizard can grow to more than six feet in length but weighs only about 22 pounds (10 kg). It is brightly colored with stripes of gold flecks.[1]. Its scaly body and legs are a blue-black mottled with pale yellow-green dots, while its tail is marked in alternating segments of black and green.[3]
Males have a double penis, called a hemipenis, also found in some snakes and other lizards. The two penises are often used in alternation, and sometimes contain spines or hooks that serve to anchor the male within the female during intercourse.[3]
Behavior
One of only three fruit-eating lizards in the world, the lizard prefers to eat the fruit of pandanus trees.[1] It is described as skittish, and fearful of humans.
References
- ^ a b c Dragon-sized lizard eluded science, until now, by C.Q. Choi, MSNBC.com. Accessed 06 April 2010.
- ^ Scientist Name Large But Elusive Lizard, by S. Milius, Science News. Accessed 06 April 2010.
- ^ a b New species of giant lizard found in Philippines, 06 April 2010, PARIS (AFP)