Komodo dragon collision between Australia and Southeast Asia allowed these larger varanids to move back into what is now the Indonesian archipelago, extending their range as far east as the island of Timor. The Komodo dragon was believed to have differentiated from its Australian ancestors 4 million years ago. However, recent fossil evidence from Queensland suggests the Komodo dragon actually evolved in Australia before spreading to Indonesia. Dramatic lowering of sea level during the last glacial period uncovered extensive stretches of continental shelf that the Komodo dragon colonised, becoming isolated in their present island range as sea levels rose afterwards. Extinct Pliocene
Sagebrush lizard Sagebrush lizard The sagebrush lizard ("Sceloporus graciosus") is a common species of phrynosomatid lizard found at mid to high altitudes in the western United States of America. It belongs to the genus "Sceloporus" (spiny lizards) in the Phrynosomatidae family of reptiles. Named after the sagebrush plants near which it is commonly found, the sagebrush lizard has keeled and spiny scales running along its dorsal surface. The sagebrush lizard is similar to the western fence lizard, another "Sceloporus" species found in the western US. The sagebrush lizard can be distinguished from the western fence lizard in that the former is on