Add to this the fact that secretory tissues are notably unfussy about the genes they express and the fact that reptile toxins are most likely to become toxins because they were expressed at some level in the oral glands in the first place. This suggests that similarities between helodermatid and varanid lizard glands are (somewhat) convergent, and maybe this is because they share a function (i.e. Some species, like this heath monitor (Varanus rosenbergi) near Sydney, have successfully adapted to (relatively) cool regions by adopting an interesting nesting strategy. Thanks for reading everyone – check in next week for the promised (and delayed) discussion of snake venom glands! The protein-secreting regions are confined to the lower half of the gland and contain “lumens” in which protein-rich secretions can be stored, ready to be deployed. However, Komodo dragons take good care of their oral hygiene, and other scientists argue that their saliva is not particularly infectious or venomous. Toxic activities established in the laboratory are sometimes referred to as “functions”, but this is inaccurate in a biological context. Komodo dragons can smell prey at a distance of up to 4 km (2.5 mi) Their large size makes killing prey cumbersome, but with a top speed of around 18 km/h (11 mi/h) Komodo dragons move quickly enough to bite and wait for the meal to succumb. Although if you are bitten by a Komodo dragon you should look for treatment even in the safest of situations. Being carnivores they’ll eat anything from eggs to small mammals, fish, … Monitor Lizards for Sale. Photo: Matt Summerville. Unfortunately, in different but related fields of science we use the same words with somewhat different meanings. Monitor lizards, like the Komodo dragon or Malayan (common) water monitor, have recently been added to the list of venomous lizards. Contrary to previous beliefs, most lizards do possess glands that secrete venom. As usual, the answer is that whilst the similarities in structure are a compelling clue about similarities in function (i.e. safety) to its approval that are different from those faced by researchers trying to establish a functional role in venom for a particular molecule, but overall the challenges are more similar than you might think. Image: Matt Summerville. Photo: Matt Summerville. This means the glands are “homologous”, as opposed to “analogous”, the latter being a term we might apply to similar structures that converged on that similarity from disparate origins. No one seriously doubts that the gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) and beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum) are “venomous”. Scientists have long observed the Komodo dragon, native to Indonesia. The same cannot be said for monitor lizards (although see below for more controversy!). Monitor lizard researcher Daniel Bennett releasing a Philippine water monitor (Varanus marmoratus) trapped during field research on Polillo Island in the northern Philippines, 2002. The spotted tree monitor (Varanus scalaris) is a small goanna (up to approximately 45cm including the tail). Their poison is not very strong and probably designed for digesting their food. One thing is certain: if goannas are eventually shown to be venomous, they will join the long list of venomous organisms that are not dangerous to humans as a result of their venom (but again, watch out for the teeth!). Dental glands have been described as “incipient” venom systems, meaning that they may represent the ancestral condition that the functional venom systems of venomous lizards and snakes evolved from. ” for the science of pharmacology, which is concerned with drugs and their venomous glands many species frequently... 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