Functional Anatomy of the Thoracic Limb of the Komodo Dragon (<i>Varanus komodoensis</i>)
Michał Kępa,
Anna Tomańska,
Joanna Staszewska,
Małgorzata Tarnowska,
Joanna Klećkowska-Nawrot,
Karolina Goździewska-Harłajczuk,
Amadeusz Kuźniarski,
Tomasz Gębarowski,
Maciej Janeczek
Affiliations
Michał Kępa
Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska St. 1, 51-631 Wrocław, Poland
Anna Tomańska
Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska St. 1, 51-631 Wrocław, Poland
Joanna Staszewska
Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska St. 1, 51-631 Wrocław, Poland
Małgorzata Tarnowska
Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida St. 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
Joanna Klećkowska-Nawrot
Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska St. 1, 51-631 Wrocław, Poland
Karolina Goździewska-Harłajczuk
Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska St. 1, 51-631 Wrocław, Poland
Amadeusz Kuźniarski
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Wrocław Medical University, Krakowska St. 26, 50-425 Wrocław, Poland
Tomasz Gębarowski
Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska St. 1, 51-631 Wrocław, Poland
Maciej Janeczek
Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska St. 1, 51-631 Wrocław, Poland
Since the Komodo dragon has been included on The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, it is crucial to know in detail its biology as there is a limited availability of research material on these animals—mainly those who died in zoos or whose remains were found in the wild. Anatomy is essential for understanding physiology, identification of diseases, adaptations in the environment, and behavior. In this dissection study, the relationship of individual anatomical structures was analyzed, the anatomy of the active and passive movement system of the thoracic limb was described, photographs were taken, and a radiographic examination was conducted. This species has its own differences, even within closely related lizard species. Varanus komodoensis possesses triceps muscles with three heads, and the wrist is extended with additional bones for greater flexibility of the hand. The muscles of the forelimb are analogous to the hind limb; however, they differ in the mass of individual muscles, especially those predisposed to perform the most important antigravity and locomotive functions.
