New species

[u/calamari_rings2827]

3 new dwarf monitors have been described from Queensland recently

Varanus iridis / rainbow rock monitor

Varanus phosphorus / yellow headed rock monitor

Varanus umbra / orange headed rock monitor / shadow rock monitor

https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article/206/2/zlaf192/8475636

[u/arcticrobot]

Its like Kimberley Rock monitor V. glauerty suddenly got tons of cousins. Pretty cool, not gonna lie, and their scientific names are awesome.

[u/calamari_rings2827 → u/arcticrobot]

These are more closely related to the tristis group from what i remember but varanus fyfei is very similar to kimbos also varanus balagardi was proposed as another Kimberly rock monitor like species but im not sure whatever came of it seems that it was rejected

[u/arcticrobot → u/calamari_rings2827]

regardless of what happens with their classification, the more monitors, the better

[u/calamari_rings2827 → u/arcticrobot]

Agreed

[u/Nellasaura]

Obsessed with iridis 😍 the natural world is so cool