title: A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus (Megalania) priscus.
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.
authors.affiliation: Venomics Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. bgf@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Bryan G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Fry
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wroe
authors.forename: Wouter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Teeuwisse
authors.forename: Matthias J P
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van Osch
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Janette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ingle
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McHenry
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clausen
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Scheib
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greisman
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roelants
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van der Weerd
authors.forename: Christofer J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Clemente
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannakis
authors.forename: Wayne C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luz
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.forename: Karthiyani
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krishnasamy
authors.forename: Elazar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kochva
authors.forename: Hang Fai
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scanlon
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karas
authors.forename: Diane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Citron
authors.forename: Ellie J C
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Judith E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: McNaughtan
authors.forename: Janette A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Norman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003817:Dentition; D053476:Extinction, Biological; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D014688:Venoms
chemical_list: D014688:Venoms