Description:
A small monitor with a maximum SVL of 216 mm. Snout long,
not pointed, and depressed at the tip anterior to the nostrils. The
nostrils are small and round, located midway between snout tip and
anterior rim of orbit. There are 7 scales between the nostrils, and
three rows of scales beneath the nostrils. The canthus rostralis is
rounded and indistinct. Snout length (tip to anterior rim of orbit)
is 14-20 mm. There are 25 supralabial scales. Supraocular scales are
rounded, smaller than interocular scales. Scales on upper surface of
head small, round or hexagonal, and smooth. Overall texture of top
of head pebbled. Forty rows of scales go from rictus to rictus (from
last supralabial over skull to opposite last supralabial). Head
width of holotype, immediately posterior to the eyes is 15 mm;
length (from tip to top of ear opening) 33 mm. Gular scales are
small and oblong, without keels. There are 15 rows of postocular
scales (from posterior rim of eye to top of ear opening). Teeth
narrow, slightly recurved, and feebly serrated posteriorly.
Nuchal scales oval,
closely set, and smooth, each with a large central pore. Nuchals are
smaller than dorsals. Dorsal scales are oblong and bear a feeble
keel. There are 109 scales at midbody. Ventral scales smooth, in 85
rows.
Forearm shorter than
leg. Antebrachial (front forearm) scales larger than other forearm
scales, with a gradual progression in size from front to back of
arm. Claws moderately straight, slightly recurved only at tip.
Palmar surfaces are pale, interspersed with isolated dark scales.
The holotype is a
female, determined by internal examination of oviducts. The right
post-cloacal region was dissected to examine for presence of
copulatory organs, and the everted hemiclitoris was exposed. There
are no post-cloacal tufts, nor evidence of preanal pores.
The tail is longer
than the body, slender, and sub-triangular in section. Caudal scales
are keeled, but not spinose, and there are no subcaudal spines.
