Discovery of a new species of goanna lizard from the Kimberley

The lizard, Varanus sparnus, has also acquired the descriptive common name of ‘Dampier Peninsula Goanna’.

The discovery of this species is significant as it is the world’s smallest species of Varanus lizard. This group of charismatic lizards also contains large-bodied species such as the Australian desert-dwelling Perentie (Varanus giganteus) at more than two metres long, and the famous Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) from Indonesia which is more than three metres long and more than 80 kilograms (the largest lizard in the world). In contrast, the new species has a maximum known size of only 23 centimetres and weighs only 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 described and named by WA Museum Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians Dr Paul Doughty. Finding the Dampier Peninsula Goanna once more highlights the high biodiversity value of the Kimberley region, and the possibility that more exciting finds await.

This female goanna named ‘Pokey’, will be on display in the Museum’s Discovery Centre through January 2015.