When some scientist redescribes a sub species he usually gives it some fancy latin name that helps identify that particular sub group. This would be fine if the scientific world wasn't constantly changing the terminology.

THE LAST V. ALBIGULARIS SUBSPECIES WAS DESCRIBED IN 1964! IS THAT A SHORT TIME TO YOU? THE ONE BEFORE THAT WAS 1934, AND BEFORE THAT 1893, AND THEN 1803.

RECENTLY THE MANGROVE MONITORS WERE SPLIT UP INTO SPECIES: THE LAST SUBSPECIES WAS V. INDICUS SPINULOSUS, AND THAT WAS 1941. BEFORE THAT 1839. THERE ARE 'NEW' SPECIES OF THIS COMPLEX RECENTLY - IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO? VARANUS CERAMBONENSIS WAS NEWEST DESCRIBED, FORMERLY CONSIDERED A MANGROVE MONITOR FOR THIS COMPLEX...IN 1999.

THE TIMOR MONITOR IS GOING THROUGH A SIMILAR REVISION, WITH VARANUS AUFFENBERGI ITS MOST RECENT 'NEW' MEMBER...

SO THESE THINGS DO NOT CHANGE EVERY DAY OR MONTH OR EVEN YEAR - IT USUALLY TAKES DECADES IF NOT LONGER!

WHAT THE PET TRADES CALLS AN ANIMAL TODAY, THEY GLADLY CHANGE TOMORROW, VIA THE ALL MIGHTY DOLLAR AND GIMACKS - LOOK AT CORN SNAKES AND TELL ME THAT IS NOT CONFUSING, OR BALL PYTHONS?!!

NOW WHO IS CONFUSING WHOM? DO YOU WONDER 'SCIENTISTS' DO NOT OFTEN PAY ATTENTION TO THIS TYPE OF NAME GAME IN THE PET TRADE? IT CHANGES LIKE THE WIND!

Cheers,
mbayless

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]