The smallest goanna of the world Found
The discovery of the world's smallest species of goanna, currently on display at the Western Australian Museum. It has been described as an evolutionary marvel by scientists.
At a maximum length of 23
centimetres and weighing just 16 grams, the world's smallest species of goanna
has been discovered in the Kimberley.
"The biggest mass of the largest [Dampier Peninsula goanna] was 16 grams, with a length of about 23 centimetres, whereas a komodo dragon is about 80 kilos at least, and over three metres long," Dr Doughty said from the WA Muesum.
Dr Doughty said this goanna diverged from its closest living relative - the short-tailed monitor - around six to seven million years ago, about the same time humans and chimpanzees split off from their common ancestor.
This particular goanna's nick name is Pokey. This goanna is only known from the peninsula north of Broome and Derby in Western Australia's Kimberley region, which is not the case with its relatives that are often found over a widespread area.
This goanna is currently on display at the WA Museum where visitors will be able to observe her small head, tiny legs, stretchy body and short tail, which Dr Doughty described as a "funky" shape for a goanna.
“We estimate from the genetic information [that the species] diverged roughly about the same time that chimpanzees diverged from human beings,” said Dr Paul Doughty from the WA Museum.
Museum visitors will be able to observe her small head, tiny legs, stretchy body and short tail, which Doughty described as a “funky” shape for a goanna.
Paul Doughty, said the discovery of the Dampier Peninsula goanna was a "eureka" moment because it's a completely new species.
"The biggest mass of the largest [Dampier Peninsula goanna] was 16 grams, with a length of about 23 centimetres, whereas a komodo dragon is about 80 kilos at least, and over three metres long," Dr Doughty said from the WA Muesum.
Dr Doughty said this goanna diverged from its closest living relative - the short-tailed monitor - around six to seven million years ago, about the same time humans and chimpanzees split off from their common ancestor.
This particular goanna's nick name is Pokey. This goanna is only known from the peninsula north of Broome and Derby in Western Australia's Kimberley region, which is not the case with its relatives that are often found over a widespread area.
This goanna is currently on display at the WA Museum where visitors will be able to observe her small head, tiny legs, stretchy body and short tail, which Dr Doughty described as a "funky" shape for a goanna.
“We estimate from the genetic information [that the species] diverged roughly about the same time that chimpanzees diverged from human beings,” said Dr Paul Doughty from the WA Museum.
Museum visitors will be able to observe her small head, tiny legs, stretchy body and short tail, which Doughty described as a “funky” shape for a goanna.
Paul Doughty, said the discovery of the Dampier Peninsula goanna was a "eureka" moment because it's a completely new species.
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