Varanus indicus

Varanus cf. indicus (Daudin, 1802)

(Fig. 29)

Type locality. Ambon, Indonesia.

Distribution in the Kei Islands. We collected Varanus cf. indicus on Kei Kecil and additional specimens have been collected by the WAM expedition to Kei Besar. Though we did not collect Varanus on Tam, we did observe a large monitor lizard there, and therefore expect it to occur there. Interestingly, this lizard appears to be absent from Kur Island although local people claim it is abundant on nearby Kaimer island (just to the north or Kur).

Natural history. Varanus occupy a broad range of habitats from aquatic to arboreal. On Kei Kecil, we encountered Varanus primarily on small trees in disturbed forest.

Field identification. This is the only monitor lizard known from the Kei islands.

Remarks. Previously reported as Varanus indicus (Doria, 1875; Roux, 1910; de Rooij, 1915) or V. finschi (Ziegler et al., 2007) in the literature, this population is morphologically similar to other Varanus samples we collected on Aru, Seram, and Gorom though it differs in colour pattern, having much more pronounced yellow to gold ocelli.

p. 470; Cogger, 2014, p. 835). Colouration in the Kei Islands matches the eastern Australian form; pale to rich brown above, with narrow, irregular, dark bands, and belly orange to pink (Wilson & Swan, 2013, p. 470)

Dendrelaphis keiensis (Mertens, 1926) (Fig. 30)

Type locality. Dulah, Kei Islands, Indonesia.

Distribution in the Kei Islands. This species is endemic to the Kei Islands. We collected three specimens of this species on Kei Kecil and a single specimen from Kur. The WAM expedition collected two specimens on Kei Besar.

Fig. 29. Photo in life of Varanus cf. in dicus from Kei Kecil (ALS 100).