Population genetic structure and differentiation of monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) for conservation and illegal trade monitoring

Abstract

The population of Varanus continuously decline through their distribution range due to over hunting and destruction of their habitat through anthropogenic activity. Reduction in population size will cause low genetic diversity, which leads to inbreeding rendering the population unfit to survive and pushing it to the brink of extinction. Objectives are 1. To establish the genetic signatures of Varanus bengalensis from Terai Arc Landscape and augmenting the genetic database of the species from the opportunistically collected samples from other Indian states. 2. To inventories the Varanus biological samples at Wildlife Institute of India for determining their species, phylogenetic status and genetic variation. 3. To determine the population genetic structure of V. bengalensis from examined samples