科學(xué)家報(bào)告說(shuō),，科莫多巨蜥咬它們的獵物的時(shí)候注入毒液，從而讓獵物削弱和無(wú)法移動(dòng),。人們知道這種爬行動(dòng)物咬它們的獵物,，然后釋放它們，讓它們因傷流血而死,；據(jù)報(bào)告,，受害者出現(xiàn)休克，然后科莫多巨蜥殺死它們并把它們吃掉,。
一些科學(xué)家認(rèn)為科莫多巨蜥嘴里的致病細(xì)菌感染了獵物，但是Bryan Fry及其同事如今證明了這種爬行類(lèi)的牙齒和毒液的組合很可能是它們的狩獵威力的原因,。這組科學(xué)家利用計(jì)算機(jī)建模分析了科莫多巨蜥的咬的動(dòng)作,，結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)它們的咬的威力遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)比鱷魚(yú)更弱。
然而,，這組作者用磁共振成像技術(shù)發(fā)現(xiàn)了科莫多巨蜥的復(fù)雜毒液腺,。在從動(dòng)物園的一頭患晚期疾病的科莫多巨蜥身上用手術(shù)切除這些腺體之后，這組科學(xué)家利用質(zhì)譜儀獲得了這種毒液的特征,，結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)這種毒素類(lèi)似于希拉毒蜥和許多種蛇的毒液,。這種毒液通過(guò)防止血液凝結(jié)和擴(kuò)張血管從而導(dǎo)致血壓嚴(yán)重下降，從而讓受害者休克,。這組科學(xué)家還檢查了已滅絕的巨蜥親緣物種——古巨蜥的化石,，結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)這種7米長(zhǎng)的蜥蜴是曾經(jīng)存在過(guò)的最大的有毒液動(dòng)物之一。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推薦原始出處：
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.
