Home to 1,000 species of reptiles, Australia has the distinction of representing a 10th of all diversity in the world. With the discovery of a new goanna lizard species, the Land Down Under just broke through the 1000th mark, adding the Komodo dragon's smallest cousin to the list.
Scientifically, it's called the Varanus sparnus. More commonly, it is known as the Dampier Peninsula goanna, so-called because it only exists in the peninsula north of Derby and Broome in Western Australia's Kimberley region. It was discovered by Biota Environmental Sciences' Greg Harold and Roy Teale during a survey of the region. The goanna lizard was classified by Dr. Paul Doughty, reptile curator from the Western Australian Museum.
At the moment, a female Dampier Peninsula goanna named Pokey is on display at the WA Museum. Unlike the Komodo dragon and monitor lizards, Pokey's kind is tiny, growing to a maximum length of 23 cm and weight of 0.04 lbs. By comparison, Indonesia's Komodo dragon can grow up to more than three meters long and weigh at least 176 lbs.
Pokey may look just like any other lizard to the untrained eye but scientists consider the Dampier Peninsula goanna to be an evolutionary marvel, remaining largely unchained over the last six million years.
"We estimate from the genetic information [that the species] diverged roughly about the same time that chimpanzees diverged from human beings," said Doughty.
Those visiting the WA Museum can catch a glimpse of Pokey and observe her tiny legs, small head, short tail and stretchy body, which the curator simply described as "funky" for a goanna. Hyperactive, Pokey is a big wriggler and loved burrowing into the sand under some grass.
However, Pokey has a bit of stage fright. The public may have a lot to learn from her but the goanna was less than pleased to be on display, shedding over Christmas in anticipation. Doughty had to tidy her up a bit before being presented to the public and Pokey showed annoyance at the process.
Three other Dampier Peninsula goannas are in the possession of the WA Museum but all have died. They have been preserved, however, for recording and classification purposes. The museum has more than 4.6 million artifacts and objects in collection, ranging from 19th century children's toys and pre-solar system diamonds to insects and shipwrecks. Reptiles are included in the Natural History Collection.
