Reptile & Amphibian Forums

this is a juvie prasinus

Hi Don,

That is a beautiful Varanus kordensis you've got there, as well as all of your other animals.. Not sure if the message I sent you got through or not... Could you throw me an email when you get a chance? I've got a couple of questions to ask you... Thanks mate,

Bob
admin@treemonitors.com

i haven't even checked my email lately as my computer still isn't back (im getting worried) and i am sharing my sons who is one of those kids who play those games for hours. I am also busy as my youngest son is getting married this weekend BUT i will check it soon and if not i will drop you an email. Thanks, Don

Bob, oh and i forgot to ask you, you said V kordiensis. I called it a prasinus and new it to be a kordiensis but the last i heard it was still a sub species, V. p. kordiensis. I had heard talk of elevating it to its own species but that was all. Do you know something i do not? This whole taxonomy thing drives me crazy, i can't keep up with my wifes birthday let alone the constant confusion with the species nutshell game. thanks, don

Hey Don,

Yes, V. kordensis is now considered a valid species, as it was shown that scale counts and hemipenal morphology is different than that of mainland V. prasinus. It has been so for several years now.
The problem with the taxonomy/systematics of this group, is that nobody is in agreeance with eachother, and all of the newer species are being described by different people, based on a different set of requirements. There is very little cooperation and acceptance within the taxonomic community... this is why the names of members of this complex are so messed up... I believe the whole complex needs revision, I guess it's just up to somebody to sit down and reassemble to complex, based on a set of standards that everyone can agree with. The same thing goes for the indicus/doreanus group... There are many different island variants that I am sure would prove out to be separate species...

Cheers Don,

Bob