Lanthanotidae
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[edit] Classification
Family Lanthanotidae
- Genus Lanthanotus
- Lanthanotus borneensis
Lanthanotus borneensis (earless monitor) (1) is a semi-aquatic, brown lizard from Borneo. It has reduced eyes and limbs, a thick body, and strongly keeled scales. This species is very rare, and most known specimens are preserved, though these, also, are rare. The species is primarily of interest to scientists, since it is an evolutionary outgroup for both varanid and helodermatid lizards, as well as being one of the three lizards to possess venom (the other two being the two species of the related helodermatids.) Its ecology and natural history are almost completely unknown. Given its body type and short stocky legs with well developed claws, it is believed to be largely adapted to a fossorial, or burrowing, lifestyle. They average between 17 and 20 inches.
- Digital Morphology - Dr. Jessie Maisano, 2001, "Lanthanotus borneensis"
