Varanus stellatus
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
| Varanus stellatus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Species: |
V. stellatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus stellatus |
|
Varanus stellatus, West Africa Nile Monitor, is a cyptic species of Polydaedalus monitor lizard from West Africa. It includes the west African form of what was previously considered to be Varanus ornatus. Genetically, Varanus stellatus is a very distinct species, with over 8% uncorrected sequence divergence from either of the V. niloticus races.[1] Physical characteristics that distinguish Varanus stellatus from Varanus niloticus are not known.
References
- ↑ Dowell S.A, D.M. Portik, V. de Buffrenil, I. Ineich, E. Greenbaum, S.O. Kolokotronis, and E.R. Hekkala. (2015). Molecular data from contemporary and historical collections reveal a complex story of cryptic diversification in the Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus Species Group. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2015.10.004
