The rediscovery of the Common Water Monitor Lizard Varanus salvator (Squamata: Varanidae) in northern Myanmar

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Sai Sein Lin Oo
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9897-6164
Paul Jeremy James Bates
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3630-739X

Abstract

On 09 June 2015, a Common Water Monitor Varanus salvator (Laurenti, 1768) was observed and photographed (Image 1) on the campus of Banmaw University, Banmaw (Bhamo), Kachin State, Myanmar (24018’15â€N & 97015’52â€E).  Subsequently, a second individual was observed 140km to the west at Banmauk, Sagaing Division (24024’N & 95051’E). These two observations are the first records of Varanus salvator from Upper Myanmar since Anderson (1878). It would be interesting to conduct follow-up studies to determine whether this is indeed a relict northern population. 

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Author Biography

Paul Jeremy James Bates, Harrison Institute, 15 St Botolph’s Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3AQ, UK

Director, Harrison Institute

References

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