Louisiade monitor

The Louisiade monitor (Varanus louisiadensis) is a species of monitor lizard native to the Louisiade Archipelago of Papua New Guinea.^[1] The species inhabits all three major islands of the Louisiade Archipelago: Tagula Island, Misima Island, and Rossel Island. It was first described in 2023, alongside Varanus tanimbar.^[2]

Louisiade monitor
Juvenile holotype, on Misima Island
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Anguimorpha
Family:	Varanidae
Genus:	Varanus
Species:	V. louisiadensis
Binomial name
Varanus louisiadensis Weijola & Kraus, 2023

Description

Varanus louisiadensis has a 3% genetic divergence from other species of monitor lizards. Its body is generally black in coloration, with the presence of yellow patterns that become less distinct with age.^[1]

Measurements taken from a sample of 11 individuals resulted in a snout–vent length ranging from 115 mm to 460 mm and tail length ranging from 270 mm to 1170 mm.^[2] The length of V. louisiadensis heads are about 1.82 times that of their width.

• 
  Adult paratype on Rossel Island
• 
  Adult paratype on Sudest Island
• 
  Juvenile holotype as a preserved specimen