Australian Water Dragon - Queensland - Which subspecies? (1 Viewer)

[Mark Eising]

I found this Water Dragon at Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge in October 2022. There are two subspecies: the Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii) and the Gippsland Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii).
It seems that Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii occurs along the east coast of Australia from Cooktown in the north down to the New South Wales and Intellagama lesueurii howitti occurs more south in New South Wales down to Victoria. So based on this information, the one on my photo should be Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii.
However, Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii has a prominent dark stripe behind its eye and Intellagama lesueurii howitti does not have this. That would make the one on the photo Intellagama lesueurii howitti. Unless this is different with young(er) individuals.
Any advice or help is highly appreciated!

 

[THE_FERN]

I think this is Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii. First, it looks like a younger animal without fully developed adult colours. Second, the descriptions I've seen suggest the overall colours are better for this. Last, I see a developing diagonal dark streak leading to bottom right from the eye. It's bordered by paler lines. Above it is another dark streak (also bordered by a pale line). These are the 2 dark lines of the adults. (In those, the diagonal streak is less pronounced while the one which leads to the ear is prominent. But both are usually visible.)

 

[Mark Eising]

I think this is Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii. First, it looks like a younger animal without fully developed adult colours. Second, the descriptions I've seen suggest the overall colours are better for this. Last, I see a developing diagonal dark streak leading to bottom right from the eye. It's bordered by paler lines. Above it is another dark streak (also bordered by a pale line). These are the 2 dark lines of the adults. (In those, the diagonal streak is less pronounced while the one which leads to the ear is prominent. But both are usually visible.)

Thank you so much for your clear explanation Fern! You must be right!