Geographical Distribution and Habitat Use of Monitor Lizards of the North Moluccas.
Biawak, 4(1), pp. 7-23
Abstract:
Observations on the ecology and distribution of monitor lizards were made on three different field visits to Halmahera, Morotai, Bacan, Gebe and Obi islands. Data was collected on four species: Varanus caerulivirens, V. rainerguentheri, V. cf. salvator and V. yuwonoi. No specimens of V. zugorum were observed during the course of the study, and this species also appears to be virtually unknown even among local hunters and animal collectors. Varanus caerulivirens, V. rainerguentheri and V. cf. salvator are reported from Obi for the first time. Additionally, V. caerulivirens and V. rainerguentheri were recorded from Morotai and Bacan. The different species appear to avoid competition by differences in habitat use, body size, and foraging mode. Varanus rainerguentheri is largely restricted to the coasts, while V. caerulivirens and V. yuwonoi primarily occur in inland forest habitats.
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