Size-Related Differences in the Thermoregulatory Habits of Free-Ranging Komodo Dragons
Thermoregulatory processes were compared among three-size groups of free-ranging Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) comprising small (5–20 kg), medium (20–40 gm) and large (40–70 kg) lizards. While all size groups maintained a similar preferred body temperature of ≈35∘C, they achieved this end poi...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2010-01-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Zoology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/921371 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832561050759725056 |
|---|---|
| author | Henry J. Harlow Deni Purwandana Tim S. Jessop John A. Phillips |
| author_facet | Henry J. Harlow Deni Purwandana Tim S. Jessop John A. Phillips |
| author_sort | Henry J. Harlow |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Thermoregulatory processes were compared among three-size groups of free-ranging Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) comprising small (5–20 kg), medium (20–40 gm) and large (40–70 kg) lizards. While all size groups maintained a similar preferred body temperature of ≈35∘C, they achieved this end point differently. Small dragons appeared to engage in sun shuttling behavior more vigorously than large dragons as represented by their greater frequency of daily ambient temperature and light intensity changes as well as a greater activity and overall exposure to the sun. Large dragons were more sedentary and sun shuttled less. Further, they appear to rely to a greater extent on microhabitat selection and employed mouth gaping evaporative cooling to maintain their preferred operational temperature and prevent overheating. A potential ecological consequence of size-specific thermoregulatory habits for dragons is separation of foraging areas. In part, differences in thermoregulation could contribute to inducing shifts in predatory strategies from active foraging in small dragons to more sedentary sit-and-wait ambush predators in adults. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ecc185eaafff4afa8bcfba7872ea8aef |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-8477 1687-8485 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2010-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Zoology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ecc185eaafff4afa8bcfba7872ea8aef2025-02-03T01:26:14ZengWileyInternational Journal of Zoology1687-84771687-84852010-01-01201010.1155/2010/921371921371Size-Related Differences in the Thermoregulatory Habits of Free-Ranging Komodo DragonsHenry J. Harlow0Deni Purwandana1Tim S. Jessop2John A. Phillips3Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USAKomodo Survival Program Indonesia, Jalan Pulau Moyo Komplek Karantina, Blok 4 No. 2 Denpasar, Bali 80222, IndonesiaDepartment of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, AustraliaConservation and Research for Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego, Escondido, CA 92027, USAThermoregulatory processes were compared among three-size groups of free-ranging Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) comprising small (5–20 kg), medium (20–40 gm) and large (40–70 kg) lizards. While all size groups maintained a similar preferred body temperature of ≈35∘C, they achieved this end point differently. Small dragons appeared to engage in sun shuttling behavior more vigorously than large dragons as represented by their greater frequency of daily ambient temperature and light intensity changes as well as a greater activity and overall exposure to the sun. Large dragons were more sedentary and sun shuttled less. Further, they appear to rely to a greater extent on microhabitat selection and employed mouth gaping evaporative cooling to maintain their preferred operational temperature and prevent overheating. A potential ecological consequence of size-specific thermoregulatory habits for dragons is separation of foraging areas. In part, differences in thermoregulation could contribute to inducing shifts in predatory strategies from active foraging in small dragons to more sedentary sit-and-wait ambush predators in adults.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/921371 |
| spellingShingle | Henry J. Harlow Deni Purwandana Tim S. Jessop John A. Phillips Size-Related Differences in the Thermoregulatory Habits of Free-Ranging Komodo Dragons International Journal of Zoology |
| title | Size-Related Differences in the Thermoregulatory Habits of Free-Ranging Komodo Dragons |
| title_full | Size-Related Differences in the Thermoregulatory Habits of Free-Ranging Komodo Dragons |
| title_fullStr | Size-Related Differences in the Thermoregulatory Habits of Free-Ranging Komodo Dragons |
| title_full_unstemmed | Size-Related Differences in the Thermoregulatory Habits of Free-Ranging Komodo Dragons |
| title_short | Size-Related Differences in the Thermoregulatory Habits of Free-Ranging Komodo Dragons |
| title_sort | size related differences in the thermoregulatory habits of free ranging komodo dragons |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/921371 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT henryjharlow sizerelateddifferencesinthethermoregulatoryhabitsoffreerangingkomododragons AT denipurwandana sizerelateddifferencesinthethermoregulatoryhabitsoffreerangingkomododragons AT timsjessop sizerelateddifferencesinthethermoregulatoryhabitsoffreerangingkomododragons AT johnaphillips sizerelateddifferencesinthethermoregulatoryhabitsoffreerangingkomododragons |