MELBOURNE, Dec 31: Australian scientists have discovered the world’s smallest goanna lizard – weighing barely 16 grams – in a remote region of the country.
The Western Australia Museum announced the discovery of the new species of goanna lizard from the Kimberley region.
The new species has been named ‘Dampier Peninsula Goanna’ while its scientific name is Varanus sparnus.
The discovery of this species is significant as it is the world’s smallest species of Varanus lizard (this single genus has 77 species, with the new species the 78th one), researchers said.
This group of charismatic lizards also contains large-bodied species such as the Australian desert-dwelling Perentie (Varanus giganteus) at over 2 metres long, and the famous Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) from Indonesia at over 3 metres long and over 80 kg (the largest lizard in the world).
In contrast, the new species has a maximum known size of only 23 cm and weighs just 16 grams.
The species was discovered by consultants Roy Teale and Greg Harold from Biota Environmental Sciences while undertaking a survey in the region.
It was classified by Dr Paul Doughty, Curator of Reptiles at the WA Museum. (PTI)
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