Varanus gouldii (Gray, 1838)

Taxonomic Classification

Varanus gouldii is a species of Varanus, a group of lizards commonly called monitors and goannas.

Historical Taxonomic Uncertainty

Taxonomic uncertainty throughout the twentieth century led to the species' known form and behavioural range including taxa that were later recognised as separate species.

Reclassified Related Taxa

These include V. rosenbergi, which was formerly treated as a subspecies of Varanus gouldii before being elevated to full species status, and V. panoptes, which was first described as a new species in 1980 and confirmed as a validly published species in 2000.