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Hi Michael. You were mentioning that the Varanus salvator complex is about to be split up. Can you be specific about which subspecies are to be elevated to species status. Thanks, Wayne.

>>Hi Michael. You were mentioning that the Varanus salvator complex is about to be split up. Can you be specific about which subspecies are to be elevated to species status. Thanks, Wayne.>>

Hello Wayne,
Actually, the work involves creating a Varanus salvator Complex. The work is not finish. This is an extremely large and diverse group of monitors. Their range is very large. We are talking about a group of monitors that has morphs that have yet to be formerly classified (i.e. Sulphur Water Monitor).
Here are some variations within this country:

(Chao Phraya River Basin- Nakhon Pathom)

(Eastern/Northeastern Thai Rainforest- Nakhon Ratchasima)

(North Central Arid Region- Saraburi)

(Varanus salvator komaini (NUTAPHAND 1987)- soon to be just V. s. salvator- Southern Thailand- Satun)

When the work is finished, I will post the reference on this forum.

Cheers,
Michael

That's nice to know! I'm from Thailand!

what's the criteria for making the subspecies complexes? is it mDNA, geographic region/isolation, doubt it's osteology?

It'll be interesting to see how it all pans out in the end. I think monitor taxonomy is the most interesting aspect of varanids. By the way Michael, if you're still around, on your treks through the wilds and waters, what kind of softshell turtles do you see in your neck of the woods?

Jburokas, mDNA, geographical isolation and morphological differences would all be considered for determination in categorising a subspecies. More and more we see these same factors determining rank as a species, especially slight morphological differences (i.e. scale counts).

Wayne, yes it will be interesting how everything comes out. There will be some opposition to this. Not everyone agrees, just like there is still an ongoing debate on whether V. kordensis is valid or is really V. prasinus kordensis. Some other work being done is mDNA analysis on the V. prasinus Complex.

We have 5 species of softshell turtles in Thailand: Amyda cartilaginea, Dogania subplana, Chitra chitra, Pelochelys cantorii and the introduced (escaped from farms and established) Pelodiscus sinensis. Since the water is rarely ever clear anywhere, they are difficult to spot. I often have people bringing me wild turtles to relocate, fearing someone poor will collect them as food.

Cheers,
Michael

Thanks Michael. It does seem that people are calling every new monitor a different species without it actually being thoroughly studied. Thanks for your answer on the softies. I love softshell turtles (not to eat of course), but they are no joy to keep. It is just brutally hard work to keep the Asian species alive. Monitor lizards on the other hand are as a rule tough as nails and truly fun to watch. Later.