科学家报告说,科莫多巨蜥咬它们的猎物的时候注入毒液,从而让猎物削弱和无法移动。人们知道这种爬行动物咬它们的猎物,然后释放它们,让它们因伤流血而死;据报告,受害者出现休克,然后科莫多巨蜥杀死它们并把它们吃掉。
一些科学家认为科莫多巨蜥嘴里的致病细菌感染了猎物,但是Bryan Fry及其同事如今证明了这种爬行类的牙齿和毒液的组合很可能是它们的狩猎威力的原因。这组科学家利用计算机建模分析了科莫多巨蜥的咬的动作,结果发现它们的咬的威力远远比鳄鱼更弱。
然而,这组作者用磁共振成像技术发现了科莫多巨蜥的复杂毒液腺。在从动物园的一头患晚期疾病的科莫多巨蜥身上用手术切除这些腺体之后,这组科学家利用质谱仪获得了这种毒液的特征,结果发现这种毒素类似于希拉毒蜥和许多种蛇的毒液。这种毒液通过防止血液凝结和扩张血管从而导致血压严重下降,从而让受害者休克。这组科学家还检查了已灭绝的巨蜥亲缘物种——古巨蜥的化石,结果发现这种7米长的蜥蜴是曾经存在过的最大的有毒液动物之一。(生物谷Bioon.com)
生物谷推荐原始出处:
PNAS May 18, 2009, doi: 10.1073/pnas.0810883106
A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus (Megalania) priscus
Bryan G. Frya,b,1, Stephen Wroec, Wouter Teeuwissed, Matthias J. P. van Oschd, Karen Morenoc,e, Janette Inglef, Colin McHenryf, Toni Ferrarac, Phillip Clausenf, Holger Scheibg, Kelly L. Winterh, Laura Greismana,b,h, Kim Roelantsi, Louise van der Weerdd,j, Christofer J. Clementek, Eleni Giannakisl, Wayne C. Hodgsonh, Sonja Luzm, Paolo Martellin, Karthiyani Krishnasamyo, Elazar Kochvap, Hang Fai Kwokq,2, Denis Scanlonb, John Karasb, Diane M. Citronr, Ellie J. C. Goldsteinr, Judith E. Mcnaughtans and Janette A. Normana,b,t
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.