Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,

I was wondering if there existed any documents or research work around the subject of Convergent Evolution between monitors and Tegus?
The question around this topic is controversial for some, however it's one of those subjects that needs some clarification. Why are monitors and tegus so similiar yet come from unrelated species?

I'm also hoping this can help shed some light on improving, or at least, furthering our understanding of Tegu biology and in turn our husbandry practices.

-Kit

I've wondered why or how did it happen that both tegus and monitors have the same type of tongue. From what I know of evolution it would seem highly unlikely that it would happen in two different family trees. I just read that snakes probably evolved from a monitor and that's were they got their tongue. But tegus are much more closely related to skinks or lacertas lizards. Are there any other unique similarities between monitors and tegus? Maybe the reason they both get so big is because the forked tongue made them more successful with bigger game. My tegus sure uses use it a lot. It's almost like a fifth leg; it's always going when they walk around.
http://www.szgdocent.org/cc/c-gen.htm
http://www.cyclura.com/article/articleview/99/1/20/

The main thing that gets me, is the head, Monitors have a head that is covered in hundreds of small scales, while a Tegu has a head covered in larger scales. The other huge difference is the tails, Monitor tails don't come off like a Tegu's tail does (I find it weird though, my Tegu tries to use his tail to hang off my hand, usually when I put him back in his cage).

Well I've been pointed to some interesting reading, there have been a few journals and articles published around this topic so I have a new reading list to dive into.

On another note, I'm seriously considering adopting many of my husbandry practices for monitors that I've used over the years for my Columbian Tegu. The question in my mind that keeps bubbling to the surface is why is there so much coverage on Argentines and little to nothing about their "northern" cousins? Aside from the blues, breeding Columbian Tegus just doesn't seem to be on anyone's agenda at the moment.
I'll post periodically and share with others how it goes.

-Kit