Ledx: further reworked citations to improve readability and fixed typos as per guidelines

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further reworked citations to improve readability and fixed typos as per guidelines

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{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Yellow (golden) monitor lizard
| status = LR/LC
| status_system = IUCN2.3
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=World Conservation Monitoring Centre |title=''Varanus flavescens'' |volume=1996 |page=e.T22872A9396496 |date=1996 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T22872A9396496.en }}</ref>
| image = Varanus flavescens1.jpg
| genus = Varanus
| parent = Varanus (Empagusia)
| species = flavescens
| authority = (Hardwicke & Gray, 1827)
| synonyms =
| range_map =
| range_map_caption =
}}
[[File:Yellow monitor lizard.jpg|thumb|golden monitor lizard, seen in Nepal]]

The '''yellow monitor''' or '''golden monitor''' (''Varanus flavescens'') is a species of [[monitor lizard]] found in [[South Asia]]. It is also called '''sun gohoro''' (in Nepali).<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Phuyal | first2 = S. | last3 = Shah | first3 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Protected species outside the protected areas: People's attitude, threats and conservation of the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) in the Far-western Lowlands of Nepal | doi = 10.1016/j.jnc.2014.08.003 | journal = Journal for Nature Conservation | volume = 22 | issue = 6| pages = 497–503 }}</ref> It is also known as ''SANGOIH'' (सनगोहि) in [[Maithili language|Maithili]] and ''Svarna Godhika'' (স্বর্ণগোধিকা) in [[Bengali language|Bengali]].

==Description==
''Varanus flavescens'' has subcorneal teeth, scarcely compressed. Its snout is short and convex, measuring a little less than the distance from the anterior border of the orbit to the anterior border of the ear; ''canthus rostralis'' distinct. Its nostril an oblique slit, a little nearer to the end of the snout than to the orbit. Digits short, the length of the fourth toe, measured from its articulation with the tarsus to the base of the claw, not exceeding the length of the femur. The tail of the yellow monitor feebly compressed, keeled above. Scales of head small, subequal; the median series of supraocular scales slightly dilated transversely. Scales on upper surfaces moderate, oval, keeled. Abdominal scales smooth, in 65 to 75 transverse rows. Caudal scales keeled; the caudal keel with a very low, doubly toothed crest. Olive or yellowish brown above, with irregular darker markings which are generally confluent into broad cross bars; a blackish temporal streak; lower surfaces yellowish, with rather indistinct brown cross bars, which are most distinct on the throat. Young dark brown above, with yellow spots confluent into crossbars; lower surface yellow, with dark brown cross bars.<ref>Boulenger, G. A. 1890. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia.</ref>
[[File:Golden monitor lizard.jpg|thumb|golden monitor lizard in the bush, seen tarai region of Nepal]]

==Population==
The actual population or population trends is unknown. However, it is considered that the species has low population density even in its preferred habitat. Limited studies suggest that the species is decreasing, however more studies required to confirm actual trend of the species.<ref>Ghimire, H. R. (2012). Distribution and Conservation Status of Yellow Monitor, Varanus flavescens (Hardwicke and Gray, 1827) in Parasan VDC of Kanchanpur District, M.Sc. thesis, Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. {{doi|10.13140/RG.2.1.2180.5605}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Phuyal | first2 = S. | last3 = Shah | first3 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Protected species outside the protected areas: People's attitude, threats and conservation of the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) in the Far-western Lowlands of Nepal | doi = 10.1016/j.jnc.2014.08.003 | journal = Journal for Nature Conservation | volume = 22 | issue = 6| pages = 497–503 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Shah | first2 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Status and habitat ecology of the Yellow Monitor, Varanus flavescens, in the Southeastern part of Kanchanpur District, Nepal | url = http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_9/Issue_2/Ghimire_Shah_2014.pdf | format = PDF | journal = Herpetological Conservation and Biology | volume = 9 | issue = 2| pages = 387–393 }}</ref>

==Habitat and ecology==
The species prefers wet areas, found to be edge of forest and near to human settlements that increase its threat from direct killing. It looks like ''V. flavescens'' tolerate the habitat modification of some degree for agriculture as it was also found on agricultural land. They are not habitat specialist group, but generally less found on forest with large trees, dry areas. It is a carnivorous lizard, and less adapted to climb on trees due to its short hind toes.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Shah | first2 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Status and habitat ecology of the Yellow Monitor, Varanus flavescens, in the Southeastern part of Kanchanpur District, Nepal | url = http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_9/Issue_2/Ghimire_Shah_2014.pdf | format = PDF | journal = Herpetological Conservation and Biology | volume = 9 | issue = 2| pages = 387–393 }}</ref> They separate the habitat with sympatric V. bengalensis, as former prefers wet areas with high ground cover and later prefers the areas with large trees.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Phuyal | first2 = S. | last3 = Shah | first3 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Protected species outside the protected areas: People's attitude, threats and conservation of the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) in the Far-western Lowlands of Nepal | doi = 10.1016/j.jnc.2014.08.003 | journal = Journal for Nature Conservation | volume = 22 | issue = 6| pages = 497–503 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Shah | first2 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Status and habitat ecology of the Yellow Monitor, Varanus flavescens, in the Southeastern part of Kanchanpur District, Nepal | url = http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_9/Issue_2/Ghimire_Shah_2014.pdf | format = PDF | journal = Herpetological Conservation and Biology | volume = 9 | issue = 2| pages = 387–393 }}</ref>

A medium-sized monitor, it measures from snout to vent 448 mm; 952 mm including the [[tail]] and weight up to 1450 gm.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Shah | first2 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Status and habitat ecology of the Yellow Monitor, Varanus flavescens, in the Southeastern part of Kanchanpur District, Nepal | url = http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_9/Issue_2/Ghimire_Shah_2014.pdf | format = PDF | journal = Herpetological Conservation and Biology | volume = 9 | issue = 2| pages = 387–393 }}</ref>

==Distribution==
Flood plains of the [[Indus river|Indus]], [[Ganges river|Ganges]] and [[Brahmaputra river]]s in [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Nepal]] and [[Bangladesh]].<ref>[http://www.monitor-lizards.net/species/empagusia/flavescens.html Monitor-lizards.net]</ref>

==Threat==
Previously international trade was a major threat to the species, but the current status of the trade is unknown. However, the local and national trade creates a threat to the species (in Nepal).<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Phuyal | first2 = S. | last3 = Shah | first3 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Protected species outside the protected areas: People's attitude, threats and conservation of the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) in the Far-western Lowlands of Nepal | doi = 10.1016/j.jnc.2014.08.003 | journal = Journal for Nature Conservation | volume = 22 | issue = 6| pages = 497–503 }}</ref>
Direct killing is the major threat to the species. Lack of knowledge about the species among local people is the cause of most of the killing, most of the killing is related to use and trade of the skin. Ignorance is a root issue, no campaign to spread awareness or education of the local people is being conducted.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Phuyal | first2 = S. | last3 = Shah | first3 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Protected species outside the protected areas: People's attitude, threats and conservation of the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) in the Far-western Lowlands of Nepal | doi = 10.1016/j.jnc.2014.08.003 | journal = Journal for Nature Conservation | volume = 22 | issue = 6| pages = 497–503 }}</ref>
Creation of Protected areas is insufficient for the species as most of potential habitat lies outside the protected areas and it is often found near to human settlement; this increases the threat to the species.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Phuyal | first2 = S. | last3 = Shah | first3 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Protected species outside the protected areas: People's attitude, threats and conservation of the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) in the Far-western Lowlands of Nepal | doi = 10.1016/j.jnc.2014.08.003 | journal = Journal for Nature Conservation | volume = 22 | issue = 6| pages = 497–503 }}</ref>

==Conservation==
The yellow monitor ''Varanus flavescens'' is protected in all range countries except Bhutan; Nepal, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Shah | first2 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Status and habitat ecology of the Yellow Monitor, Varanus flavescens, in the Southeastern part of Kanchanpur District, Nepal | url = http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_9/Issue_2/Ghimire_Shah_2014.pdf | format = PDF | journal = Herpetological Conservation and Biology | volume = 9 | issue = 2| pages = 387–393 }}</ref>
As data is inadequate for the species, research for its distribution, population status, trend, ecology and threats are urgent.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Phuyal | first2 = S. | last3 = Shah | first3 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Protected species outside the protected areas: People's attitude, threats and conservation of the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) in the Far-western Lowlands of Nepal | doi = 10.1016/j.jnc.2014.08.003 | journal = Journal for Nature Conservation | volume = 22 | issue = 6| pages = 497–503 }}</ref> The countries should enforce the legal measure to stop the local trade and killing of the species. As there is low awareness among people about its importance and legal status, they should be made aware about it.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Phuyal | first2 = S. | last3 = Shah | first3 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Protected species outside the protected areas: People's attitude, threats and conservation of the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) in the Far-western Lowlands of Nepal | doi = 10.1016/j.jnc.2014.08.003 | journal = Journal for Nature Conservation | volume = 22 | issue = 6| pages = 497–503 }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* [[Walter Auffenberg|Auffenberg W.]] Rahman H. Iffat F. Perveen Z. 1989 A STUDY OF VARANUS-FLAVESCENS HARDWICKE AND Gray (SAURIA VARANIDAE). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 86 (3): 286-307 [1990]
* Ghimire, H. R. (2012). Distribution and Conservation Status of Yellow Monitor, Varanus flavescens (Hardwicke and Gray, 1827) in Parasan VDC of Kanchanpur District, M.Sc. thesis, Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. {{doi|10.13140/RG.2.1.2180.5605}}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Phuyal | first2 = S. | last3 = Shah | first3 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Protected species outside the protected areas: People's attitude, threats and conservation of the Yellow Monitor (Varanus flavescens) in the Far-western Lowlands of Nepal | doi = 10.1016/j.jnc.2014.08.003 | journal = Journal for Nature Conservation | volume = 22 | issue = 6| pages = 497–503 }}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Ghimire | first1 = H. R. | last2 = Shah | first2 = K. B. | year = 2014 | title = Status and habitat ecology of the Yellow Monitor, Varanus flavescens, in the Southeastern part of Kanchanpur District, Nepal | url = http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_9/Issue_2/Ghimire_Shah_2014.pdf | format = PDF | journal = Herpetological Conservation and Biology | volume = 9 | issue = 2| pages = 387–393 }}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Visser | first1 = G. J. | year = 1985 | title = Notizen zur Brutbiologie des Gelbwarans Varanus (Empagusia) flavescens (HARDWICKE & Gray 1827) im Zoo Rotterdam | journal = Salamandra | volume = 21 | issue = 2/3| pages = 161–168 }}
* Whitaker, Rom 1981 Bangladesh - Monitors and turtles Hamadryad 6 (3): 7-9

==External links==
* {{NRDB species|genus=Varanus|species=flavescens}}

{{Varanoidea}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q598687}}

[[Category:Monitor lizards]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Reptiles of India]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Nepal]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1827]]

Yellow monitor - Revision history

Ledx: further reworked citations to improve readability and fixed typos as per guidelines

imported>Ddum5347 at 01:29, 12 April 2021