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Varanus Merrem, 1820:
Varanus B. Merrem, 1820. Tent. Syst. Amphib.: 58.
(type species: Lacerta Varia Shaw in:
White, 1790 [= Varanus varius [Shaw in: White, 1790], by subsequent designation
of Gray, 1827).
Derivation:
Latinization of ‘Waran’, the Egyptian name for Varanus niloticus (Linnaeus, 1766).
Remarks:
The genus Varanus Merrem, 1820 has
been considered monophyletic by Ast (1997) and Baverstock et al. (1994).
Key to Varanus.-
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1.
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Nostrils oblique slits
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2
Nostrils rounded or oval .............................................................................................
salvator |
| 2.
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Nuchal scales smooth or
posteriorly feebly keeled; snout moderately long ....................
dumerilii
Nuchal scales strongly keeled; snout very long ..........................................................
rudicollis |
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