Varanidae

Varanus +‎ -idae

Varanidae

1. A taxonomic family within the order Squamata – monitor lizards.

The taxonomy (especially with regard to extinct species) of the family is not yet resolved. Modern definitions define it as a clade, but disagree on the specification of last common ancestor. Specifically, there is disagreement on whether earless monitor lizards (Lanthanotus borneensis) should or should not be included. For more details, see Varanidae on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

• (family): Eukaryota – superkingdom; Animalia – kingdom; Bilateria – subkingdom; Deuterostomia – infrakingdom; Chordata – phylum; Vertebrata – subphylum; Gnathostomata – infraphylum; Tetrapoda – superclass; Reptilia – class; Diapsida – subclass; Lepidosauromorpha – infraclass; Lepidosauria – superorder; Squamata – order; Varanoidea – superfamily

• (family): Varanus – sole extant genus
  • †Aiolosaurus, †Archaeovaranus, †Ovoo, †Paravaranus, †Proplatynotia, †Saniwa, †Saniwides, †Telmasaurus – extinct genera

• †Megalania (=Varanus)