Giant momentum makes the scientific world confused

Rumors of a 1.8-meter-long mysterious lizard have appeared in the Philippines hundreds of years ago, but until recently Western scientists have found them.

Varanus bitatawa has many yellow spots on the skin and body length of up to 1.8 m. Photo: Times Online .

This variegated species was discovered on Luzon island of the Philippines and has the scientific name Varanus bitatawa. According to Livescience, DNA analysis results show that they are closely related to Komodo dragons - the planet's largest lizard species. Varanus bitatawa 's skin is adorned with many yellow spots. They possess large, curved claws to serve climbing trees. This is one of the three fruit-eating species in the world.

Livescience has confirmed that in recent decades the discovery of new vertebrate species is an extremely rare event. Scientists do not understand why they did not know the existence of the great Varanus bitatawa, though they lived on a rather populated island.

"Great daisies, colorful and easily detected have avoided the attention of biologists for the past 150 years , " said Rafe Brown, a reptile animal researcher at Dai. University of Kansas in USA, speaking.

Even so, people on the island of Luzon knew the varanus bitatawa daisies long ago. They seem shy and don't like to go through empty areas.

"Scientists are confused because this is not a real new animal. It is only for us, Western scientists. In fact, the indigenous people have known them for generations. " Brown commented.

Brown and his colleagues and a team of other experts began searching for giants since 2005 after hearing rumors of them from the Abta and Ilongot tribes of the island. They climbed the mountains with about 20 Aboriginal people with a full range of hunting tools. But recently they found the mature varanus bitatawa .

Scientists claim that Varanus bitatawa plays an important role in the development of forests because they help spread seeds. If humans protect their habitat, thousands of other animals and plants will also be protected. Brown said the giant species should be prioritized for protection as the Philippines' "national treasure".

Brown and colleagues' findings are published in Biology Letters .