Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just through i would share

Does anybody know how V. melinus got dubbed the name "yellow tree monitor"? As they most certainly do not lead the truly arboreal lifestyle of the V. prasinus group, what is commonly referred to as the "tree monitors"...

V. melinus lacks any of the traits shared by the true tree dwellers such as V. prasinus, beccarii, macraei, etc.. such as the sticky pads on the soles of their feet, long and slender body plan, prehensile tail, etc..

V. melinus is a member of the Mangrove Monitor/Blue Tail Monitor complex, not the tree monitor complex, as so many people are confused with because of the allocation of their common name.(I was always under the impression that their common name was the Quince Monitor). They have a laterally compressed tail, which would signify a partially aquatic lifestyle. Their large, bulky framework is more reminiscent of many of the terrestrial/semi arboreal species..(note that all monitors will do a fair amount of climbing- doesn't make them arboreal).

I love V. melinus; they are probably one of my favorite 'other' monitor species besides the V. prasinus complex. I just think that people get confused and think that these animals are part of the V. prasinus group, due to their erroneous name, "Yellow Tree Monitor".

If anything is to be called a "Yellow Tree Monitor", it would be these guys, V. reisingeri.... Anyways, beautiful Quince Monitor, best of luck with it! Cheers,

Bob

treemonitors.com

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TheOdatriad

I was under the impression that the yellow tree monitor picture with the V.prasinus and V.macrei was not of a separate species, although it certainly looks like it should but was actually just a yellow phase V.prasinus?

http://www.livefoodshop.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=23878&hl=

It would be good to hear if it had been promoted to species status.

Cheers

James Stroud