Taxonomy
Skull of Varanus prisca the extinct giant monitor lizard. © Boston Museum
Varanus prisca was originally described in a separate genus (Megalania) before being moved to Varanus.
Varanus prisca is now recognised as a close relative of the living Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis).
Varanus prisca can be distinguished from other monitor lizards by various features of the skeleton including
- subtle features of the brain case
- low spines on its trunk vertebrae
- enormous body size.
Morphology
In many respects, Varanus prisca would have looked like a larger version of a Komodo dragon, with a
- large, flattened head
- bulky body
- long powerful tail
- jaw lined with sharp serrated teeth