A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus (Megalania) priscus

Title
A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus (Megalania) priscus
Publication Date
2009
Author(s)
Fry, Bryan G
Wroe, Stephen
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6365-5915
Email: swroe@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:swroe
Winter, Kelly L
Greisman, Laura
Roelants, Kim
van der Weerd, Louise
Clemente, Christofer J
Giannakis, Eleni
Hodgson, Wayne C
Luz, Sonja
Martelli, Paolo
Krishnasamy, Karthiyani
Teeuwisse, Wouter
Kochva, Elazar
Kwok, Hang Fai
Scanlon, Denis
Karas, John
Citron, Diane M
Goldstein, Ellie J C
Mcnaughtan, Judith E
Norman, Janette A
van Osch, Matthias J P
Moreno, Karen
Ingle, Janette
McHenry, Colin
Ferrara, Toni
Clausen, Phillip
Scheib, Holger
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences
Place of publication
United States of America
DOI
10.1073/pnas.0810883106
UNE publication id
une:15049
Abstract
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 notion regarding toxic bacteria utilization. Instead, we demonstrate that the effects of deep wounds inflicted are potentiated through venom with toxic activities including anticoagulation and shock induction. Anatomical comparisons of 'V. komodoensis' with 'V. (Megalania) priscus' fossils suggest that the closely related extinct giant was the largest venomous animal to have ever lived.
Link
link
Citation
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(22), p. 8969-8974
ISSN
1091-6490
0027-8424
Start page
8969
End page
8974

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