Journal article
A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus ( Megalania) priscus
BG Fry, S Wroe, W Teeuwisse, MJP Van Osch, K Moreno, J Ingle, C McHenry, T Ferrara, P Clausen, H Scheib, KL Winter, L Greisman, K Roelants, L Van Der Weerd, CJ Clemente, E Giannakis, WC Hodgson, S Luz, P Martelli, K Krishnasamy Show all
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | Published : 2009
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 ind..
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Awarded by Australian Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank the Singapore Zoological Gardens for making V. komodoensis tissues available for the study and Dr. Rainer Guenther and Dr. Mark-Oliver Roedel( Museumof Natural History, Humboldt University) for generously loaning us a preserved specimen for the magnetic resonance imaging studies. H. S. is grateful to GlaxoSmithKline for an exclusive version of Swiss Protein Databank Viewer. We are particularly grateful to Lim Kok Peng Kelvin and the staff of Naturalis Museum for all of their kind help and to Nicolas Vidal for constructive criticisms. This work was funded by grants ( to B. G. F.) from the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian French Association for Science and Technology, the Australia and Pacific Science Foundation, the Australian Research Council ( DP0665971 and DP0772814 also to W. C. H. and J. A. N.), the CASS Foundation, the Ian Potter Foundation, the International Human Frontiers Science Program Organisation, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, the University of Melbourne ( Faculty of Medicine and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), and a Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Victoria Fellowship. This work was also funded by an Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training International Science Linkages grant ( to B. G. F. and J. A. N.) and funding from the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute ( to B. G. F., J. K., and D. S.) for peptide synthesis. Further funding came from Australian Research Council and University of New South Wales Internal Strategic Initiatives grants ( to S. W.).