Varanus melinus is a representative of themangrove monitor group (V. indicus species group),which currently comprises the following 13 species (inchronological order, see Koch et al, 2009; Ziegler et al.,2007a; 2007b; Weijola & Sweet, 2010): V. indicus, V.doreanus, V. jobiensis, V. finschi, V. melinus, V. yuwonoi,V. caerulivirens, V. cerambonensis, V. juxtindicus, V.zugorum, V. rainerguentheri, V. lirungensis, and V.