| the effect of large body size on the temperature regulation of the komodo dragon, varanus komodoensis. | | 1976 | 9248 |
| internal fixation of a humeral fracture in a komodo dragon lizard (varanus komodoensis). | | 1978 | 249168 |
| the amino acid sequences of two alpha chains of hemoglobins from komodo dragon varanus komodoensis and phylogenetic relationships of amniotes. | to elucidate phylogenetic relationships among amniotes and the evolution of alpha globins, hemoglobins were analyzed from the komodo dragon (komodo monitor lizard) varanus komodoensis, the world's largest extant lizard, inhabiting komodo islands, indonesia. four unique globin chains (alpha a, alpha d, beta b, and beta c) were isolated in an equal molar ratio by high performance liquid chromatography from the hemolysate. the amino acid sequences of two alpha chains were determined. the alpha d ch ... | 1996 | 8752011 |
| isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the komodo dragon varanus komodoensis. | | 1998 | 9465421 |
| an outbreak of salmonellosis among children attending a reptile exhibit at a zoo. | in january 1996, an outbreak of diarrhea caused by salmonella enteritidis occurred in children attending a komodo dragon exhibit at a metropolitan zoo. we sought to determine the extent of the outbreak and mode of transmission. | 1998 | 9602189 |
| genetic structure and gene flow among komodo dragon populations inferred by microsatellite loci analysis. | a general concern for the conservation of endangered species is the maintenance of genetic variation within populations, particularly when they become isolated and reduced in size. estimates of gene flow and effective population size are therefore important for any conservation initiative directed to the long-term persistence of a species in its natural habitat. in the present study, 10 microsatellite loci were used to assess the level of genetic variability among populations of the komodo drago ... | 1999 | 10703549 |
| blood values in wild and captive komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis). | the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) is the largest living lizard and occupies a range smaller than that of any other large carnivore in the world. samples from 33 free-ranging animals at five localities in komodo national park, indonesia were evaluated to assess underlying health problems. to build a comparative database, samples from 44 komodo dragons in both indonesian and u.s. zoos were also analyzed. tests performed included complete blood counts, clinical chemistry profiles, vitamin a, ... | 2000 | 11180411 |
| aerobic salivary bacteria in wild and captive komodo dragons. | during the months of november 1996, august 1997, and march 1998, saliva and plasma samples were collected for isolation of aerobic bacteria from 26 wild and 13 captive komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis). twenty-eight gram-negative and 29 gram-positive species of bacteria were isolated from the saliva of the 39 komodo dragons. a greater number of wild than captive dragons were positive for both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. the average number of bacterial species within the saliva o ... | 2002 | 12238371 |
| control of an exotic tick (aponomma komodoense) infestation in a komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) exhibit at a zoo in florida. | a protocol was developed to control an exotic tick (aponomma komodoense) infestation on three komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis) at a florida zoo without direct application of acaricides to the lizards. with the komodo dragons secured within their indoor pens, their outdoor enclosures and the exhibition area were sprayed with a formulation of permethrin prepared specifically for use with reptiles. once the acaricide had dried, the komodo dragons were allowed to return to their outdoor enclosur ... | 2004 | 15305524 |
| mitochondrial genome of the komodo dragon: efficient sequencing method with reptile-oriented primers and novel gene rearrangements. | the mitochondrial genome of the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) was nearly completely sequenced, except for two highly repetitive noncoding regions. an efficient sequencing method for squamate mitochondrial genomes was established by combining the long polymerase chain reaction (pcr) technology and a set of reptile-oriented primers designed for nested pcr amplifications. it was found that the mitochondrial genome had novel gene arrangements in which genes from nadh dehydrogenase subunit 6 to ... | 2004 | 15449544 |
| archaeology and age of a new hominin from flores in eastern indonesia. | excavations at liang bua, a large limestone cave on the island of flores in eastern indonesia, have yielded evidence for a population of tiny hominins, sufficiently distinct anatomically to be assigned to a new species, homo floresiensis. the finds comprise the cranial and some post-cranial remains of one individual, as well as a premolar from another individual in older deposits. here we describe their context, implications and the remaining archaeological uncertainties. dating by radiocarbon ( ... | 2004 | 15510146 |
| redescription of kapsulotaenia sandgroundi (carter, 1943) (eucestoda: proteocephalidea: acanthotaeniinae), a parasite of varanus komodoensis (varanoidea: varanidae) from indonesia. | the proteocephalidean cestode kapsulotaenia sandgroundi (carter, 1943) (proteocephalidae: acanthotaeniinae), the type-species of kapsulotaenia freze, 1963, is redescribed on the basis of the type-material from varanus komodoensis ouwens on komodo island, indonesia, and material from museum collections. the ovary is larger than described by freze (1965) and occupies 42-59% and not 33% of the proglottis width as cited by freze. the presence of a small vaginal sphincter and a seminal receptacle are ... | 2006 | 16541299 |
| early stone technology on flores and its implications for homo floresiensis. | in the soa basin of central flores, eastern indonesia, stratified archaeological sites, including mata menge, boa lesa and kobatuwa (fig. 1), contain stone artefacts associated with the fossilized remains of stegodon florensis, komodo dragon, rat and various other taxa. these sites have been dated to 840-700 kyr bp (thousand years before present). the authenticity of the soa basin artefacts and their provenance have been demonstrated by previous work, but to quell lingering doubts, here we descr ... | 2006 | 16738657 |
| parthenogenesis in komodo dragons. | parthenogenesis, the production of offspring without fertilization by a male, is rare in vertebrate species, which usually reproduce after fusion of male and female gametes. here we use genetic fingerprinting to identify parthenogenetic offspring produced by two female komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis) that had been kept at separate institutions and isolated from males; one of these females subsequently produced additional offspring sexually. this reproductive plasticity indicates that female ... | 2006 | 17183308 |
| cranial performance in the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) as revealed by high-resolution 3-d finite element analysis. | the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) displays a unique hold and pull-feeding technique. its delicate 'space-frame' skull morphology differs greatly from that apparent in most living large prey specialists and is suggestive of a high degree of optimization, wherein use of materials is minimized. here, using high-resolution finite element modelling based on dissection and in vivo bite and pull data, we present results detailing the mechanical performance of the giant lizard's skull. unlike most ... | 2008 | 18510503 |
| timing of a mtdna gene rearrangement and intercontinental dispersal of varanid lizards. | the mitochondrial genomes of the komodo monitor (varanus komodoensis) and the nile monitor (v. niloticus) were previously shown to have an extensive gene rearrangement. here, we show that this gene arrangement widely occurs in varanid taxa originated from africa, asia and australasia. based on phylogenetic relationships of the varanids constructed using mitochondrial dna sequences encoding the nadh dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene and seven flanking trna genes, we estimated their divergence times by ... | 2008 | 18670139 |
| the liang bua faunal remains: a 95k.yr. sequence from flores, east indonesia. | excavations at liang bua, a limestone cave on the island of flores, east indonesia, have yielded a well-dated archaeological and faunal sequence spanning the last 95k.yr., major climatic fluctuations, and two human species -h. floresiensis from 95 to 17k.yr.(1), and modern humans from 11k.yr. to the present. the faunal assemblage comprises well-preserved mammal, bird, reptile and mollusc remains, including examples of island gigantism in small mammals and the dwarfing of large taxa. together wit ... | 2009 | 19058833 |
| response of hatchling komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis) at denver zoo to visual and chemical cues arising from prey. | five hatchling komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis) at denver zoo were observed in two experiments that studied the effects of visual and chemical cues arising from prey. rate of tongue flicking was recorded in experiment 1, and amount of time the lizards spent interacting with stimuli was recorded in experiment 2. our hypothesis was that young v. komodoensis would be more dependent upon vision than chemoreception, especially when dealing with live, moving, prey. although visual cues, including ... | 2009 | 19358316 |
| secundum atrial septal defect in a komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis). | | 2009 | 19363231 |
| compressive myelopathy of the cervical spine in komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis). | cervical subluxation and compressive myelopathy appears to be a cause of morbidity and mortality in captive komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis). four cases of cervical subluxation resulting in nerve root compression or spinal cord compression were identified. three were presumptively induced by trauma, and one had an unknown inciting cause. two dragons exhibited signs of chronic instability. cervical vertebrae affected included c1-c4. clinical signs on presentation included ataxia, ambulatory p ... | 2009 | 19368265 |
| a central role for venom in predation by varanus komodoensis (komodo dragon) and the extinct giant varanus (megalania) priscus. | the predatory ecology of varanus komodoensis (komodo dragon) has been a subject of long-standing interest and considerable conjecture. here, we investigate the roles and potential interplay between cranial mechanics, toxic bacteria, and venom. our analyses point to the presence of a sophisticated combined-arsenal killing apparatus. we find that the lightweight skull is relatively poorly adapted to generate high bite forces but better adapted to resist high pulling loads. we reject the popular no ... | 2009 | 19451641 |
| dragon's paradise lost: palaeobiogeography, evolution and extinction of the largest-ever terrestrial lizards (varanidae). | the largest living lizard species, varanus komodoensis ouwens 1912, is vulnerable to extinction, being restricted to a few isolated islands in eastern indonesia, between java and australia, where it is the dominant terrestrial carnivore. understanding how large-bodied varanids responded to past environmental change underpins long-term management of v. komodoensis populations. | 2009 | 19789642 |
| deathly drool: evolutionary and ecological basis of septic bacteria in komodo dragon mouths. | komodo dragons, the world's largest lizard, dispatch their large ungulate prey by biting and tearing flesh. if a prey escapes, oral bacteria inoculated into the wound reputedly induce a sepsis that augments later prey capture by the same or other lizards. however, the ecological and evolutionary basis of sepsis in komodo prey acquisition is controversial. two models have been proposed. the "bacteria as venom" model postulates that the oral flora directly benefits the lizard in prey capture irres ... | 2010 | 20574514 |
| microbiology of animal bite wound infections. | the microbiology of animal bite wound infections in humans is often polymicrobial, with a broad mixture of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. bacteria recovered from infected bite wounds are most often reflective of the oral flora of the biting animal, which can also be influenced by the microbiome of their ingested prey and other foods. bacteria may also originate from the victim's own skin or the physical environment at the time of injury. our review has focused on bite wound infections in ... | 2011 | 21482724 |
| life-history and spatial determinants of somatic growth dynamics in komodo dragon populations. | somatic growth patterns represent a major component of organismal fitness and may vary among sexes and populations due to genetic and environmental processes leading to profound differences in life-history and demography. this study considered the ontogenic, sex-specific and spatial dynamics of somatic growth patterns in ten populations of the world's largest lizard the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis). the growth of 400 individual komodo dragons was measured in a capture-mark-recapture study ... | 2012 | 23028983 |
| anaerobic and aerobic bacteriology of the saliva and gingiva from 16 captive komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis): new implications for the "bacteria as venom" model. | it has been speculated that the oral flora of the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) exerts a lethal effect on its prey; yet, scant information about their specific oral flora bacteriology, especially anaerobes, exists. consequently, the aerobic and anaerobic oral bacteriology of 16 captive komodo dragons (10 adults and six neonates), aged 2-17 yr for adults and 7-10 days for neonates, from three u.s. zoos were studied. saliva and gingival samples were collected by zoo personnel, inoculated int ... | 2013 | 23805543 |
| komodo dragon-inspired synthetic peptide drgn-1 promotes wound-healing of a mixed-biofilm infected wound. | cationic antimicrobial peptides are multifunctional molecules that have a high potential as therapeutic agents. we have identified a histone h1-derived peptide from the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis), called vk25. using this peptide as inspiration, we designed a synthetic peptide called drgn-1. we evaluated the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity of both peptides against pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus. drgn-1, more than vk25, exhibited potent antimicrobial and anti-bio ... | 2017 | 28649410 |
| the oral and skin microbiomes of captive komodo dragons are significantly shared with their habitat. | examining the way in which animals, including those in captivity, interact with their environment is extremely important for studying ecological processes and developing sophisticated animal husbandry. here we use the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) to quantify the degree of sharing of salivary, skin, and fecal microbiota with their environment in captivity. both species richness and microbial community composition of most surfaces in the komodo dragon's environment are similar to the komodo ... | 2017 | 27822543 |
| bitten by a dragon. | komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis) are large lizards known to take down prey even larger than themselves. they rarely attack humans. a 38-year-old woman was bitten by a komodo dragon on her hand while cleaning its enclosure. she was transiently hypotensive. the wounds were extensively cleaned, and she was started on prophylactic antibiotics. her wounds healed without any infectious sequelae. komodo dragon bites are historically thought to be highly infectious and venomous. based on a literatur ... | 2016 | 27161437 |
| how to build your dragon: scaling of muscle architecture from the world's smallest to the world's largest monitor lizard. | the functional design of skeletal muscles is shaped by conflicting selective pressures between support and propulsion, which becomes even more important as animals get larger. if larger animals were geometrically scaled up versions of smaller animals, increases in body size would cause an increase in musculoskeletal stress, a result of the greater scaling of mass in comparison to area. in large animals these stresses would come dangerously close to points of failure. by examining the architectur ... | 2016 | 26893606 |
| how not to train your dragon: a case of a komodo dragon bite. | komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis) are the world's largest lizards, known for killing prey that exceed their body mass. reports of bites to humans in the popular press suggest high degrees of morbidity and mortality. reports in the medical literature are lacking. we describe the case of a zookeeper who was bitten by a komodo dragon, with a resultant mallet finger. we further discuss the various potential mechanisms of komodo dragon lethality, including sepsis and venom deposition theories that ... | 2015 | 25772822 |
| comparative insights using the molecular homology model of bdnf (brain derived neurotrophic factor) of varanus komodoensis and the known ngf (nerve growth factor) structure of naja atra. | bdnf (brain derived neurotrophic factor) is a secretion protein and a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors. structural and functional characterization of bdnf varanus komodoensis is of interest while its structure remains unknown. thus, a homology molecular model of bdnf was constructed for gleaning possible structural insights. the model was compared with the structure of the homologous ngf (nerve growth factor, another member of neuro-trophin family) from naja atra. comparative ... | 2013 | 24023416 |
| komodo dragons are not ecological analogs of apex mammalian predators. | apex predators can have substantial and complex ecological roles in ecosystems. however, differences in species-specific traits, population densities, and interspecific interactions are likely to determine the strength of apex predators' roles. here we report complementary studies examining how interactions between predator per capita metabolic rate and population density influenced the biomass, population energy use, and ecological effects of apex predators on their large mammalian prey. we fir ... | 2020 | 31984486 |
| conserved sex chromosomes and karyotype evolution in monitor lizards (varanidae). | despite their long history with the basal split dating back to the eocene, all species of monitor lizards (family varanidae) studied so far share the same chromosome number of 2n = 40. however, there are differences in the morphology of the macrochromosome pairs 5-8. further, sex determination, which revealed zz/zw sex microchromosomes, was studied only in a few varanid species and only with techniques that did not test their homology. the aim of this study was to (i) test if cryptic interchromo ... | 2019 | 30670841 |
| shared ancient sex chromosomes in varanids, beaded lizards, and alligator lizards. | sex determination in varanids, gila monsters, beaded lizards, and other anguimorphan lizards is still poorly understood. sex chromosomes were reported only in a few species based solely on cytogenetics, which precluded assessment of their homology. we uncovered z-chromosome-specific genes in varanids from their transcriptomes. comparison of differences in gene copy numbers between sexes across anguimorphan lizards and outgroups revealed that homologous differentiated zz/zw sex chromosomes are pr ... | 2019 | 30722046 |
| a comparative histological study of the osteoderms in the lizards heloderma suspectum (squamata: helodermatidae) and varanus komodoensis (squamata: varanidae). | we describe the histological appearance of the osteoderms (ods) of heloderma suspectum and varanus komodoensis using multiple staining and microscopy techniques to yield information about their morphology and development. histological analysis showed that the ods of h. suspectum are composed of three main tissue types, a superficial layer, herein identified as osteodermine, capping a base composed of sharpey-fibre bone and lamellar bone rich in secondary osteons (haversian bone tissue). in contr ... | 2020 | 31986227 |
| total eclipse of the zoo: animal behavior during a total solar eclipse. | the infrequency of a total solar eclipse renders the event novel to those animals that experience its effects and, consequently, may induce anomalous behavioral responses. however, historical information on the responses of animals to eclipses is scant and often conflicting. in this study, we qualitatively document the responses of 17 vertebrate taxa (including mammals, birds, and reptiles) to the 2017 total solar eclipse as it passed over riverbanks zoo and garden in columbia, south carolina. i ... | 2020 | 32244374 |
| komodo dragon predation on crab-eating macaques at the rinca island's visitor centre, indonesia. | we investigated the proportion of crab-eating macaques in the diet of komodo dragons and quantified the spatial habitat use between the species as a proxy for predation threat and in relation to prey availability due to ecotourism. in 2013, in loh buaya valley of rinca island, komodo national park, we conducted macroscopic identification of hairs, claws, dentition and osteological remains of consumed prey. for habitat use, we quantified the use of vertical strata by macaques through focal animal ... | 2018 | 30114686 |
| location of fruit using only airborne odor cues by a lizard. | although squamate reptiles are known to locate conspecifics by scent-trailing and to locate and identify prey by tongue-flicking substrates, an ability to locate food using only airborne cues has previously only been suspected based on observations that dead animals can be used as bait for komodo dragons and that some nocturnal geckos aggregate on flowers. we conducted a simple field test of the ability of the omnivorous lizard podarcis lilfordi to find fruit hidden under opaque cups. when a boa ... | 2001 | 11714497 |
| a novel varanic acid epimer--(24r,25s)-3α,7α,12α,24-tetrahydroxy-5β-cholestan-27-oic acid--is a major biliary bile acid in two varanid lizards and the gila monster. | a key intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway by which c(24) bile acids are formed from cholesterol has long been considered to be varanic acid, (24ξ,25ξ)-3α,7α,12α-24-tetrahydroxy-5β-cholestan-27-oic acid. the (24r,25r)-epimer of this tetrahydroxy bile acid, in the form of its taurine n-acyl amidate, was thought to be the major biliary bile acid in lizards of the family varanidae. we report here that a major biliary bile acid of three lizard species - the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis), g ... | 2012 | 22986074 |
| facultative parthenogenesis validated by dna analyses in the green anaconda (eunectes murinus). | in reptiles, the mode of reproduction is typically sexual. however, facultative parthenogenesis occurs in some squamata, such as komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) and burmese python (python bivittatus). here, we report facultative parthenogenesis in the green anaconda (eunectes murinus). we found two fully developed female neonates and 17 undeveloped eggs in the oviduct of a female anaconda isolated from other individuals for eight years and two months at ueno zoo, japan. to clarify the zygosi ... | 2017 | 29236745 |
| toxic toad invasion of wallacea: a biodiversity hotspot characterized by extraordinary endemism. | (a) a map of wallacea showing islands invaded by duttaphrynus melanostictus in red, islands inhabited by varanus komodoensis in blue, and localities of genetic samples in yellow points. (b) a d. melanostictus from lombok island. (c) environmental niche model for the sunda islands clade of d. melanostictus projected into wallacea. green color indicates very high suitability, yellow color indicates high suitability, and orange color indicates moderate suitability. | 2017 | 28833907 |
| late pleistocene songbirds of liang bua (flores, indonesia); the first fossil passerine fauna described from wallacea. | passerines (aves: passeriformes) dominate modern terrestrial bird communities yet their fossil record is limited. liang bua is a large cave on the indonesian island of flores that preserves late pleistocene-holocene deposits (∼190 ka to present day). birds are the most diverse faunal group at liang bua and are present throughout the stratigraphic sequence. | 2017 | 28828271 |
| tooth counts through growth in diapsid reptiles: implications for interpreting individual and size-related variation in the fossil record. | tooth counts are commonly recorded in fossil diapsid reptiles and have been used for taxonomic and phylogenetic purposes under the assumption that differences in the number of teeth are largely explained by interspecific variation. although phylogeny is almost certainly one of the greatest factors influencing tooth count, the relative role of intraspecific variation is difficult, and often impossible, to test in the fossil record given the sample sizes available to palaeontologists and, as such, ... | 2015 | 25689039 |
| discovery of novel antimicrobial peptides from varanus komodoensis (komodo dragon) by large-scale analyses and de-novo-assisted sequencing using electron-transfer dissociation mass spectrometry. | komodo dragons are the largest living lizards and are the apex predators in their environs. they endure numerous strains of pathogenic bacteria in their saliva and recover from wounds inflicted by other dragons, reflecting the inherent robustness of their innate immune defense. we have employed a custom bioprospecting approach combining partial de novo peptide sequencing with transcriptome assembly to identify cationic antimicrobial peptides from komodo dragon plasma. through these analyses, we ... | 2017 | 28164707 |
| evolution of extreme body size disparity in monitor lizards (varanus). | many features of species' biology, including life history, physiology, morphology, and ecology are tightly linked to body size. investigation into the causes of size divergence is therefore critical to understanding the factors shaping phenotypic diversity within clades. in this study, we examined size evolution in monitor lizards (varanus), a clade that includes the largest extant lizard species, the komodo dragon (v. komodoensis), as well as diminutive species that are nearly four orders of ma ... | 2011 | 21884063 |
| The effects of biting and pulling on the forces generated during feeding in the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). | In addition to biting, it has been speculated that the forces resulting from pulling on food items may also contribute to feeding success in carnivorous vertebrates. We present an in vivo analysis of both bite and pulling forces in Varanus komodoensis, the Komodo dragon, to determine how they contribute to feeding behavior. Observations of cranial modeling and behavior suggest that V. komodoensis feeds using bite force supplemented by pulling in the caudal/ventrocaudal direction. We tested these ... | 2011 | 22028837 |
| development of a multiplex pcr assay for fine-scale population genetic analysis of the komodo monitor varanus komodoensis based on 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci. | multiplex pcr assays for the coamplification of microsatellite loci allow rapid and cost-effective genetic analyses and the production of efficient screening protocols for international breeding programs. we constructed a partial genomic library enriched for di-nucleotide repeats and characterized 14 new microsatellite loci for the komodo monitor (or komodo dragon, varanus komodoensis). using these novel microsatellites and four previously described loci, we developed multiplex pcr assays that m ... | 2011 | 21481213 |
| quaternary vertebrate faunas from sumba, indonesia: implications for wallacean biogeography and evolution. | historical patterns of diversity, biogeography and faunal turnover remain poorly understood for wallacea, the biologically and geologically complex island region between the asian and australian continental shelves. a distinctive quaternary vertebrate fauna containing the small-bodied homininhomo floresiensis, pygmystegodonproboscideans, varanids and giant murids has been described from flores, but quaternary faunas are poorly known from most other lesser sunda islands. we report the discovery o ... | 2017 | 28855367 |
| grooves to tubes: evolution of the venom delivery system in a late triassic "reptile". | venom delivery systems occur in a wide range of extant and fossil vertebrates and are primarily based on oral adaptations. teeth range from unmodified (komodo dragons) to highly specialized fangs similar to hypodermic needles (protero- and solenoglyphous snakes). developmental biologists have documented evidence for an infolding pathway of fang evolution, where the groove folds over to create the more derived condition. however, the oldest known members of venomous clades retain the same conditi ... | 2010 | 21060984 |
| physical therapy as an adjunctive treatment for severe osteoarthritis in a komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis). | this case report describes a new physical therapy technique, specifically the wolfe kinetic technique, as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of severe osteoarthritis in a 20-yr-old komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis). this animal was managed with oral analgesics for 3 yr with fair to minimal response over time. due to worsening of lameness and mobility, physical therapy was initiated. ten treatment sessions were administered at 1-wk intervals. within 1 mo the komodo dragon exhibited marked impr ... | 2015 | 25831594 |
| in response to how not to train your dragon: a case of komodo dragon bite, by borek and charlton. | | 2015 | 25998862 |
| evidence of egg diversity in squamate evolution from cretaceous anguimorph embryos. | lizards are remarkable amongst amniotes, for they display a unique mosaic of reproduction modes ranging from egg-laying to live-bearing. within this patchwork, geckoes are believed to represent the only group to ever have produced fully calcified rigid-shelled eggs, contrasting with the ubiquitous parchment shelled-eggs observed in other lineages. however, this hypothesis relies only on observations of modern taxa and fossilised gecko-like eggshells which have never been found in association wit ... | 2015 | 26176757 |
| ecological allometries and niche use dynamics across komodo dragon ontogeny. | ontogenetic allometries in ecological habits and niche use are key responses by which individuals maximize lifetime fitness. moreover, such allometries have significant implications for how individuals influence population and community dynamics. here, we examined how body size variation in komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis) influenced ecological allometries in their: (1) prey size preference, (2) daily movement rates, (3) home range area, and (4) subsequent niche use across ontogeny. with inc ... | 2016 | 26936625 |
| the structural and functional diversification of the toxicofera reptile venom system. | the evolutionary origin and diversification of the reptilian venom system is described. the resolution of higher-order molecular phylogenetics has clearly established that a venom system is ancestral to snakes. the diversification of the venom system within lizards is discussed, as is the role of venom delivery in the behavioural ecology of these taxa (particularly varanus komodoensis). the more extensive diversification of the venom system in snakes is summarised, including its loss in some cla ... | 2012 | 22446061 |
| can camera traps monitor komodo dragons a large ectothermic predator? | camera trapping has greatly enhanced population monitoring of often cryptic and low abundance apex carnivores. effectiveness of passive infrared camera trapping, and ultimately population monitoring, relies on temperature mediated differences between the animal and its ambient environment to ensure good camera detection. in ectothermic predators such as large varanid lizards, this criterion is presumed less certain. here we evaluated the effectiveness of camera trapping to potentially monitor th ... | 2013 | 23527027 |
| first description of the karyotype and sex chromosomes in the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis). | the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard in the world. surprisingly, it has not yet been cytogenetically examined. here, we present the very first description of its karyotype and sex chromosomes. the karyotype consists of 2n = 40 chromosomes, 16 macrochromosomes and 24 microchromosomes. although the chromosome number is constant for all species of monitor lizards (family varanidae) with the currently reported karyotype, variability in the morphology of the macrochromosomes ... | 2016 | 27450879 |
| multihormonal islet cell carcinomas in three komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis). | multihormonal pancreatic islet cell carcinomas were found in one female and two male captive geriatric komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis). gross changes in the pancreas were visible in two of the cases. clinical signs noted in the komodo dragons were lethargy, weakness, and anorexia. histologically, the tumors were comprised of nests and cords of well-differentiated neoplastic islet cells with scant amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm and round, euchromatic nuclei, with rare mitoses. infiltratio ... | 2017 | 28363070 |
| komodo-dragon cathelicidin-inspired peptides are antibacterial against carbapenem-resistant klebsiella pneumoniae. | introduction. the rise of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (cre) is a growing crisis that requires development of novel therapeutics.hypothesis. to this end, cationic antimicrobial peptides (camps) represent a possible source of new potential therapeutics to treat difficult pathogens such as carbapenem-resistant klebsiella pneumoniae (crkp), which has gained resistance to many if not all currently approved antibiotics, making treatment difficult.aim. to examine the anti-crkp antimicrobial ... | 2020 | 33084564 |
| identifying island safe havens to prevent the extinction of the world's largest lizard from global warming. | the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) is an endangered, island-endemic species with a naturally restricted distribution. despite this, no previous studies have attempted to predict the effects of climate change on this iconic species. we used extensive komodo dragon monitoring data, climate, and sea-level change projections to build spatially explicit demographic models for the komodo dragon. these models project the species' future range and abundance under multiple climate change scenarios. ... | 2020 | 33072275 |
| phylogenomics of monitor lizards and the role of competition in dictating body size disparity. | organismal interactions drive the accumulation of diversity by influencing species ranges, morphology, and behavior. interactions vary from agonistic to cooperative and should result in predictable patterns in trait and range evolution. however, despite a conceptual understanding of these processes, they have been difficult to model, particularly on macroevolutionary timescales and across broad geographic spaces. here we investigate the influence of biotic interactions on trait evolution and com ... | 2020 | 32521014 |
| the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) genome and identification of innate immunity genes and clusters. | we report the sequencing, assembly and analysis of the genome of the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis), the largest extant lizard, with a focus on antimicrobial host-defense peptides. the komodo dragon diet includes carrion, and a complex milieu of bacteria, including potentially pathogenic strains, has been detected in the saliva of wild dragons. they appear to be unaffected, suggesting that dragons have robust defenses against infection. while little information is available regarding the mo ... | 2019 | 31470795 |
| genome of the komodo dragon reveals adaptations in the cardiovascular and chemosensory systems of monitor lizards. | monitor lizards are unique among ectothermic reptiles in that they have high aerobic capacity and distinctive cardiovascular physiology resembling that of endothermic mammals. here, we sequence the genome of the komodo dragon varanus komodoensis, the largest extant monitor lizard, and generate a high-resolution de novo chromosome-assigned genome assembly for v. komodoensis using a hybrid approach of long-range sequencing and single-molecule optical mapping. comparing the genome of v. komodoensis ... | 2019 | 31358948 |
| the cephalic osteoderms of varanus komodoensis as revealed by high-resolution x-ray computed tomography. | osteoderms constitute a morphological system that plays an important role in squamate systematics. however, their study and visualization have always been difficult due to their isolated occurrence in the skin, among the first organs to be removed during the skeletonization process. high-resolution x-ray computed tomography (hrxct) offers a nondestructive means of visualizing osteoderms both in their natural relationship to each other and to the underlying cranial bones. although it is often sta ... | 2019 | 31177617 |
| temporal shifts in the distribution of murine rodent body size classes at liang bua (flores, indonesia) reveal new insights into the paleoecology of homo floresiensis and associated fauna. | liang bua, the type locality of homo floresiensis, is a limestone cave located in the western part of the indonesian island of flores. the relatively continuous stratigraphic sequence of the site spans the past ∼190 kyr and contains ∼275,000 taxonomically identifiable vertebrate skeletal elements, ∼80% of which belong to murine rodent taxa (i.e., rats). six described genera are present at liang bua (papagomys, spelaeomys, hooijeromys, komodomys, paulamys, and rattus), one of which, hooijeromys, ... | 2019 | 31010543 |
| isolating chromosomes of the komodo dragon: new tools for comparative mapping and sequence assembly. | we developed new tools to build a high-quality chromosomal map of the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) available for cross-species phylogenomic analyses. first, we isolated chromosomes by flow sorting and determined the chromosome content of each flow karyotype peak by fish. we then isolated additional komodo dragon chromosomes by microdissection and amplified chromosome-specific dna pools. the chromosome-specific dna pools can be sequenced, assembled, and mapped by next-generation sequencing ... | 2019 | 30641525 |
| exploring mechanisms and origins of reduced dispersal in island komodo dragons. | loss of dispersal typifies island biotas, but the selective processes driving this phenomenon remain contentious. this is because selection via, both indirect (e.g. relaxed selection or island syndromes) and direct (e.g. natural selection or spatial sorting) processes may be involved, and no study has yet convincingly distinguished between these alternatives. here, we combined observational and experimental analyses of an island lizard, the komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis, the world's largest ... | 2018 | 30429305 |