@misc{deitz1979behavorial,
    author = "Deitz, David Charles",
    title = "Behavorial ecology of young American alligators /",
    year = "1979",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.48396",
    doi = "10.5962/bhl.title.48396"
}

@book{auffenburg1981the1,
    author = "Auffenburg, W",
    title = "The Behavorial Ecology of the Komodo Monitor",
    year = "1981",
    publisher = "Gainesville, Florida, University of Florida Presses",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Auffenburg, W., 1981, The Behavorial Ecology of the Komodo Monitor: Gainesville, Florida, University of Florida Presses.}"
}

@article{frye1982komodo,
    author = "Frye, F. L. and Auffenberg, W.",
    title = {Komodo Monitor ("Dragon")},
    year = "1982",
    journal = "The Journal of Zoo Animal Medicine",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.2307/20094565",
    doi = "10.2307/20094565",
    number = "1",
    pages = "47",
    volume = "13"
}

@article{pianka1982the,
    author = "Pianka, Eric R.",
    title = "The Behavioral Ecology of the Komodo Monitor. Walter Auffenberg",
    year = "1982",
    journal = "The Quarterly Review of Biology",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1086/412881",
    doi = "10.1086/412881",
    number = "3",
    pages = "339-339",
    volume = "57"
}

@article{swingland1982the,
    author = "Swingland, I. R. and Affenberg, Walter",
    title = "The Behavioural Ecology of the Komodo Monitor",
    year = "1982",
    journal = "The Journal of Animal Ecology",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.2307/4019",
    doi = "10.2307/4019",
    number = "3",
    pages = "1017",
    volume = "51"
}

@article{vitt1982the,
    author = "Vitt, Laurie J. and Auffenberg, Walter",
    title = "The Behavioral Ecology of the Komodo Monitor",
    year = "1982",
    journal = "Copeia",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.2307/1444685",
    doi = "10.2307/1444685",
    number = "3",
    pages = "733",
    volume = "1982"
}

@article{doi1023071445147,
    author = "Padian, Kevin and Olsen, Paul E.",
    title = "Footprints of the Komodo Monitor and the Trackways of Fossil Reptiles",
    year = "1984",
    journal = "Copeia",
    abstract = "differs from the lateral arc of protraction in the forearm movement of crocodiles, whose manus prints are generally less distinct. The monitor's pes moves parasagittally, somewhat as in crocodiles. Tail marks were not conspicuous. The Komodo monitor tracks are similar in great detail to those of Triassic pseudosuchian thecodonts and (to a lesser extent) Early Jurassic crocodiles. Footprint faunas since the Upper Triassic are completely devoid of similar tracks. The similarities probably reflect retention in all these groups of a primitive reptilian locomotory pattern. Hence, the Komodo monitor tracks underscore the extent to which fossil footprints are classified by grade of organization and locomotion. Lacertilian tracks are uncommon in the fossil record. Similarities of Komodo monitor tracks to fossil footprints of nonlacertilians suggest that analysis of modern lacertilian footprints may provide insight into ontogenetic and functional differences underlying much of the basis of paleoichnologic taxonomy.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.2307/1445147",
    doi = "10.2307/1445147",
    openalex = "W2330792837",
    references = "doi101038261129a0, doi101038294747a0, doi101111j109636421980tb00852x, doi101139z80301, doi10230725058147, doi105281zenodo13525207, openalexw1496509561, openalexw3216659992, openalexw384818744, swingland1982the, vitt1982the"
}

@incollection{warhol1986komodo,
    author = "Warhol, Andy and Benirschke, Kurt",
    title = "Komodo Monitor",
    year = "1986",
    booktitle = "Vanishing Animals",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-6333-0\_9",
    doi = "10.1007/978-1-4684-6333-0\_9",
    pages = "52-57"
}

@article{crossref1992komodo,
    title = "Komodo, the living dragon",
    year = "1992",
    journal = "Choice Reviews Online",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.29-3309",
    doi = "10.5860/choice.29-3309",
    number = "06",
    openalex = "W575827996",
    pages = "29-3309-29-3309",
    volume = "29"
}

@article{doi101002sici109823611996153341aidzoo1230co2d,
    author = "Morris, Patrick J. and Jackintell, Lori A. and Alberts, Allison C.",
    title = "Predicting the gender of subadult Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) using two-dimensional ultrasound imaging and plasma testosterone concentration",
    year = "1996",
    journal = "Zoo Biology",
    abstract = "Six yearling Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) underwent ultrasound examinations every three months over a nine-month period to assess the value of two-dimensional ultrasound imaging technology for the purpose of determining gender in this highly monomorphic species. Beginning at an age of 28 months, ovarian structures could be imaged, allowing a prediction of gender based on the presence or absence of ovarian follicles. Simultaneously, plasma testosterone concentration was measured monthly on each individual during the study period. Beginning at an age of 24 months, putative males had consistently elevated plasma testosterone values that were ∼40–60 times greater than those of putative females. In a blind comparison, predictions of gender based on plasma testosterone values matched the prediction of sex based on ultrasound imaging for all six individuals. The results indicate that measurements of circulating testosterone and two-dimensional ultrasound imaging together appear useful in the noninvasive determination of gender in juvenile V. komodoensis at just over two years of age. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1098-2361(1996)15:3<341::aid-zoo12>3.0.co;2-d",
    doi = "10.1002/(sici)1098-2361(1996)15:3<341::aid-zoo12>3.0.co;2-d",
    openalex = "W2025894723"
}

@article{ciofi1999the,
    author = "Ciofi, Claudio",
    title = "The Komodo Dragon",
    year = "1999",
    journal = "Scientific American",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0399-84",
    doi = "10.1038/scientificamerican0399-84",
    number = "3",
    openalex = "W2007122001",
    pages = "84-91",
    volume = "280"
}

@article{doi101002109823612000196495aidzoo230co21,
    author = "Gillespie, Don and Frye, F. L. and Stockham, Steven L. and Fredeking, T.",
    title = "Blood values in wild and captive Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis)",
    year = "2000",
    journal = "Zoo Biology",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-2361(2000)19:6<495::aid-zoo2>3.0.co;2-1",
    doi = "10.1002/1098-2361(2000)19:6<495::aid-zoo2>3.0.co;2-1",
    openalex = "W2043955404",
    references = "ciofi1999the, doi101001jama198603370170093043, doi101002sici109823611996153341aidzoo1230co2d, doi101007978146159391120, doi101007bf01607721, doi1010160300962991902366, doi101093clinchem174275, openalexw116498037, openalexw196420394, vitt1982the"
}

@article{doi101016jbiocon200308005,
    author = "Jessop, Tim S. and Sumner, Joanna and Rudiharto, Heru and Purwandana, Deni and Imansyah, M. Jeri and Phillips, John A.",
    title = "Distribution, use and selection of nest type by Komodo Dragons",
    year = "2003",
    journal = "Biological Conservation",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2003.08.005",
    doi = "10.1016/j.biocon.2003.08.005",
    openalex = "W2062231192",
    references = "ciofi1999the"
}

@article{doi101002zoo20000,
    author = "Lemm, Jeffrey M. and Edwards, Mark S. and Grant, Tandora D. and Alberts, Allison C.",
    title = "Comparison of growth and nutritional status of juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) maintained on rodent or poultry‐based diets",
    year = "2004",
    journal = "Zoo Biology",
    abstract = "Abstract Nutrition and growth data were collected on six juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) over 20 months. The animals were captive‐bred from two separate clutches, laid 6 months apart. Three animals were fed a rodent diet, and the other three were fed a poultry‐based diet. The animals were all weighed and measured weekly. Blood samples were collected monthly. Blood samples were analyzed for sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), 25‐OH‐D, and cholesterol. Significant differences (P <0.05) were observed in dry matter intake (DMI) (1.12 vs. 0.90 \%BW) and gross energy intake (GEI) (182.3 vs. 143.0 kcal GE/d), between rodent and poultry‐based diets, respectively. However, there were no differences in growth (average daily gain=6.13 vs. 6.33 g BW/d) between the two dietary treatments. Blood Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, and 25‐OH‐D concentrations were similar across treatments, while cholesterol levels were higher in the animals maintained on the rodent‐based diet. Zoo Biol 23:239–252, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20000",
    doi = "10.1002/zoo.20000",
    openalex = "W1980339958",
    references = "crossref1992komodo"
}

@article{doi1010384441021a,
    author = "Watts, Phillip C. and Buley, Kevin R. and Sanderson, Stephanie and Boardman, Wayne and Ciofi, Claúdio and Gibson, Richard",
    title = "Parthenogenesis in Komodo dragons",
    year = "2006",
    journal = "Nature",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/4441021a",
    doi = "10.1038/4441021a",
    openalex = "W2010802832"
}

@article{doi104236abc201224043,
    author = "Merchant, Mark and Henry, Danyell and Falconi, Rodolfo and Muscher, Becky and Bryja, Judith",
    title = "Characterization of serum complement activity in serum of the Komodo dragon (\&lt;i\&gt;Varanus komodoensis\&lt;/i\&gt;)",
    year = "2012",
    journal = "Advances in Biological Chemistry",
    abstract = "Incubation of different volumes of serum from the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) resulted in volume-dependent hemolysis, as measured spectrophotometrically at 540 nm. The hemolysis occurred rapidly, with almost 90\% of the hemolytic activity occurring within 20 min of incubation. A thermal profile showed that Komodo dragon serum exhibited low activity from 5- 20℃, but exerted maximum activity at 35℃, which was substantially reduced at 40℃. The maximum activity was observed near optimal temperatures to which Komodo dragons thermoregulate. Mild heat treatment of Komodo dragon serum (56℃, 30 min) depleted the ability to hemolyze SRBCs. In addition, preincubation of Komodo dragon serum with only 5 mM EDTA or phosphate, both chelators of divalent metal ions, reduced the hemolytic activity sharply. These results indicate that the hemolytic activity was due to the presence of a potent serum complement system. Incubation of Komodo dragon serum with 5 mM EDTA and 15 mM Ca2+ or Mg2+, but not Ba2+, Zn2+, or Fe2+, completely restored activity. These results indicate that Komodo dragon serum complement activity requires the presence of Mg2+ or Ca2+. This is the first assessment of innate immune activity of a Varanid.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.4236/abc.2012.24043",
    doi = "10.4236/abc.2012.24043",
    openalex = "W2090996418",
    references = "crossref1992komodo"
}

@article{ainsworth2013how,
    author = "Ainsworth, Claire",
    title = "How to train your Komodo dragon",
    year = "2013",
    journal = "New Scientist",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/s0262-4079(13)62962-0",
    doi = "10.1016/s0262-4079(13)62962-0",
    number = "2948-2949",
    openalex = "W2002773176",
    pages = "56-58",
    volume = "220"
}

@article{doi10167013006,
    author = "Doody, J. Sean and James, H. G. and Ellis, Ryan J. and Gibson, Nick and Raven, Mitchell and Mahony, Stephen V. and Hamilton, David G. and Rhind, David and Clulow, Simon and McHenry, Colin R.",
    title = "Cryptic and Complex Nesting in the Yellow-Spotted Monitor, Varanus panoptes",
    year = "2014",
    journal = "Journal of Herpetology",
    abstract = "Despite the general importance of nest site choice in reproductive success in taxa with little or no parental care, little is known for reptiles other than turtles. Here we report on the nesting ecology of the Yellow-Spotted Monitor, Varanus panoptes, a large tropical lizard that utilizes warrens (concentrated groups of burrows) in northern Australia. We used radio-telemetry, remote photography, and the complete excavation of a warren to test the hypotheses that 1) warrens are used by multiple individual V. panoptes; and if so, 2) they are used for communal nesting; or alternatively 3) they are used for communal estivation during the dry season. At least six individual V. panoptes utilized the warren system including four females and two males, and burrows were excavated by both sexes. Excavation of the warren revealed no estivating lizards at a time when four radio-telemetered V. panoptes had begun estivation. However, we found two nests in the warren, indicative of either communal nesting or multiple clutches of the same female. Nests were deeper than that recorded for any other reptile and were structurally complex. We discuss the implications of the depth and structure of the nesting burrow for the thermal and hydric environment of the eggs and for hatchling emergence. The warren's usage by multiple individuals raises the possibility that the severe declines in V. panoptes caused by invasive Cane Toads (Bufo marinus) may have important implications for the V. panoptes social structure.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1670/13-006",
    doi = "10.1670/13-006",
    openalex = "W2063714860",
    references = "ciofi1999the, doi101007s1014400901526, doi101086605078, doi101093oso97801951116370010001, doi101111j1365294x200803772x, doi101111j144299931985tb00890x, doi101111j14691795200800219x, doi1023071443905, openalexw1536715139, openalexw176118264, openalexw2950960996"
}

@article{doi101159000447340,
    author = "Pokorná, Martina and Altmanová, Marie and Rovatsos, Michail and Velenský, Petr and Vodička, Roman and Rehák, Ivan and Kratochvíl, Lukáš",
    title = "First Description of the Karyotype and Sex Chromosomes in the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)",
    year = "2016",
    journal = "Cytogenetic and Genome Research",
    abstract = "The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard in the world. Surprisingly, it has not yet been cytogenetically examined. Here, we present the very first description of its karyotype and sex chromosomes. The karyotype consists of 2n = 40 chromosomes, 16 macrochromosomes and 24 microchromosomes. Although the chromosome number is constant for all species of monitor lizards (family Varanidae) with the currently reported karyotype, variability in the morphology of the macrochromosomes has been previously documented within the group. We uncovered highly differentiated ZZ/ZW sex microchromosomes with a heterochromatic W chromosome in the Komodo dragon. Sex chromosomes have so far only been described in a few species of varanids including V. varius, the sister species to Komodo dragon, whose W chromosome is notably larger than that of the Komodo dragon. Accumulations of several microsatellite sequences in the W chromosome have recently been detected in 3 species of monitor lizards; however, these accumulations are absent from the W chromosome of the Komodo dragon. In conclusion, although varanids are rather conservative in karyotypes, their W chromosomes exhibit substantial variability at the sequence level, adding further evidence that degenerated sex chromosomes may represent the most dynamic genome part.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1159/000447340",
    doi = "10.1159/000447340",
    openalex = "W2486775465",
    references = "ciofi1999the, doi1010160014482772905587, doi101016jcrvi200510001, doi1010384441021a, doi101073pnas0605274103, doi10108010635150490522340, doi101098rsbl20120703, doi101111bij12751, doi101111j10963642200800481x, doi101186147121481393, vitt1982the"
}

@article{doi101098rspb20181829,
    author = "Jessop, Tim S. and Ariefiandy, Achmad and Purwandana, Deni and Ciofi, Claúdio and Imansyah, Jeri and Benu, Yunias Jackson and Fordham, Damien A. and Forsyth, David M. and Mulder, Raoul A. and Phillips, Ben L.",
    title = "Exploring mechanisms and origins of reduced dispersal in island Komodo dragons",
    year = "2018",
    journal = "Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences",
    abstract = ", the world's largest lizard), to provide evidence for the actions of multiple processes that could contribute to island dispersal loss. In the Komodo dragon, concordant results from telemetry, simulations, experimental translocations, mark-recapture, and gene flow studies indicated that despite impressive physical and sensory capabilities for long-distance movement, Komodo dragons exhibited near complete dispersal restriction: individuals rarely moved beyond the valleys they were born/captured in. Importantly, lizard site-fidelity was insensitive to common agents of dispersal evolution (i.e. indices of risk for inbreeding, kin and intraspecific competition, and low habitat quality) that consequently reduced survival of resident individuals. We suggest that direct selection restricts movement capacity (e.g. via benefits of spatial philopatry and increased costs of dispersal) alongside use of dispersal-compensating traits (e.g. intraspecific niche partitioning) to constrain dispersal in island species.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.1829",
    doi = "10.1098/rspb.2018.1829",
    openalex = "W2901615864",
    references = "doi101016s0003347280801035, doi101073pnas0800375105, doi10108000063659909477239, doi101093genetics16331177, doi101093oso97801985406630010001, doi101098rstb19900107, doi101111j14610248200400684x, doi101111j14610248200801267x, doi101111j1469185x201100201x, doi1023073802722, doi1023073802723, swingland1982the"
}

@article{doi101038s4155901909458,
    author = "Lind, Abigail and Lai, Yvonne Y. Y. and Mostovoy, Yulia and Holloway, Alisha K. and Iannucci, Alessio and Mak, Angel C. Y. and Fondi, Marco and Orlandini, Valerio and Eckalbar, Walter L. and Milan, Massimo and Rovatsos, Michail and Kichigin, Ilya G. and Makunin, Alex and Pokorná, Martina and Altmanová, Marie and Trifonov, Vladimir A. and Schijlen, Elio and Kratochvíl, Lukáš and Fani, Renato and Velenský, Petr and Rehák, Ivan and Patarnello, Tomaso and Jessop, Tim S. and Hicks, James W. and Ryder, Oliver A. and Mendelson, Joseph R. and Ciofi, Claúdio and Kwok, Pui–Yan and Pollard, Katherine S. and Bruneau, Benoit G.",
    title = "Genome of the Komodo dragon reveals adaptations in the cardiovascular and chemosensory systems of monitor lizards",
    year = "2019",
    journal = "Nature Ecology \& Evolution",
    abstract = "Monitor lizards are unique among ectothermic reptiles in that they have high aerobic capacity and distinctive cardiovascular physiology resembling that of endothermic mammals. Here, we sequence the genome of the Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis, the largest extant monitor lizard, and generate a high-resolution de novo chromosome-assigned genome assembly for V. komodoensis using a hybrid approach of long-range sequencing and single-molecule optical mapping. Comparing the genome of V. komodoensis with those of related species, we find evidence of positive selection in pathways related to energy metabolism, cardiovascular homoeostasis, and haemostasis. We also show species-specific expansions of a chemoreceptor gene family related to pheromone and kairomone sensing in V. komodoensis and other lizard lineages. Together, these evolutionary signatures of adaptation reveal the genetic underpinnings of the unique Komodo dragon sensory and cardiovascular systems, and suggest that selective pressure altered haemostasis genes to help Komodo dragons evade the anticoagulant effects of their own saliva. The Komodo dragon genome is an important resource for understanding the biology of monitor lizards and reptiles worldwide.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-019-0945-8",
    doi = "10.1038/s41559-019-0945-8",
    openalex = "W2966521773",
    references = "doi101159000447340"
}

@article{purwandana2020insights,
    author = "Purwandana, Deni and Imansyah, M. Jeri and Ariefiandy, Achmad and Rudiharto, Heru and Ciofi, Claudio and Jessop, Tim S.",
    title = "Insights into the Nesting Ecology and Annual Hatchling Production of the Komodo Dragon",
    year = "2020",
    journal = "Copeia",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1643/ch-19-337",
    doi = "10.1643/ch-19-337",
    number = "4",
    openalex = "W3111413919",
    volume = "108",
    references = "doi1010079780387781518, doi101007bf00346972, doi101086605078, doi101093oso97801985018480010001, doi101146annurevecolsys36102003152631, doi10120197802037370883, doi1018900012965820000810642alhvac20co2, doi1018900621621, doi102307177366, doi1023072389364"
}

@article{doi101007s10531020021008,
    author = "Ariefiandy, Achmad and Purwandana, Deni and Azmi, Muhammad and Nasu, Sanggar Abdil and Mardani, Juna and Ciofi, Claúdio and Jessop, Tim S.",
    title = "Human activities associated with reduced Komodo dragon habitat use and range loss on Flores",
    year = "2021",
    journal = "Biodiversity and Conservation",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-020-02100-8",
    doi = "10.1007/s10531-020-02100-8",
    openalex = "W3119119948",
    references = "doi101098rspb20181829"
}

@article{doi101016jasoc2021108043,
    author = "Suyanto, Suyanto and Ariyanto, Alifya Aisyah and Ariyanto, Alifya Fatimah",
    title = "Komodo Mlipir Algorithm",
    year = "2021",
    journal = "Applied Soft Computing",
    abstract = "This paper proposes Komodo Mlipir Algorithm (KMA) as a new metaheuristic optimizer. It is inspired by two phenomena: the behavior of Komodo dragons living in the East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, and the Javanese gait named mlipir. Adopted the foraging and reproduction of Komodo dragons, the population of a few Komodo individuals (candidate solutions) in KMA are split into three groups based on their qualities: big males, female, and small males. First, the high-quality big males do a novel movement called high-exploitation low-exploration to produce better solutions. Next, the middle-quality female generates a better solution by either mating the highest-quality big male (exploitation) or doing parthenogenesis (exploration). Finally, the low-quality small males diversify candidate solutions using a novel movement called mlipir (a Javanese term defined as a walk on the side of the road to reach a particular destination safely), which is implemented by following the big males in a part of their dimensions. A self-adaptation of the population is also proposed to control the exploitation–exploration balance. An examination using the well-documented twenty-three benchmark functions shows that KMA outperforms the recent metaheuristic algorithms. Besides, it provides high scalability to optimize thousand-dimensional functions. The source code of KMA is publicly available at: https://suyanto.staff.telkomuniversity.ac.id/komodo-mlipir-algorithm and https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/102514-komodo-mlipir-algorithm.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2021.108043",
    doi = "10.1016/j.asoc.2021.108043",
    openalex = "W3214412462",
    references = "ciofi1999the, doi10100797836421253866, doi101016jadvengsoft201312007, doi101016jadvengsoft201501010, doi101016jadvengsoft201707002, doi101016jcad201012015, doi101016jins200903004, doi101016jknosys201507006, doi1011094235585893, openalexw2904250082"
}

@article{doi101111mec16121,
    author = "Iannucci, Alessio and Benazzo, Andrea and Natali, Chiara and Arida, Evy and Zein, Moch Samsul Arifin and Jessop, Tim S. and Bertorelle, Giorgio and Ciofi, Claúdio",
    title = "Population structure, genomic diversity and demographic history of Komodo dragons inferred from whole‐genome sequencing",
    year = "2021",
    journal = "Molecular Ecology",
    abstract = "decrease. Genomic diversity of Komodo dragons was similar to that found in endangered or already extinct reptile species. Overall, this study provides an example of how whole-genome analysis of a few individuals per population can help define population structure and intraspecific demographic dynamics. This is particularly important when applying population genomics data to conservation of rare or elusive endangered species.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16121",
    doi = "10.1111/mec.16121",
    openalex = "W3188567658",
    references = "doi101098rspb20181829, doi101159000447340"
}

@article{doi103390ani14152142,
    author = "Tomańska, Anna and Stawinoga, Martyna and Szturo, Kacper and Styczyńska, Marzena and Klećkowska‐Nawrot, Joanna and Janeczek, Maciej and Goździewska‐Harłajczuk, Karolina and Melnyk, Oleksii O. and Gębarowski, Tomasz",
    title = "Biological Significance of the Komodo Dragon’s Tail (Varanus komodoensis, Varanidae)",
    year = "2024",
    journal = "Animals",
    abstract = "The Komodo dragon is a unique reptile with an elongated tail that exhibits hitherto unknown adaptations and functions. This tail, composed of 60-86 vertebrae, serves diverse ecological and physiological roles. In juveniles, it is essential for an arboreal lifestyle and balance, while in adults, it functions as a tool for defense and offensive actions. It possesses characteristic haemal arches and a dorsal keel, along with well-developed muscles which enable precise tail control, influencing the Komodo dragon's maneuverability and directional changes. The tail stores adipose tissue, providing Komodo dragons with the ability to regulate body temperature and independence from other seasonal variations. The tail adipose tissue impacts numerous biochemical processes and may play a crucial role in the animals' metabolic strategies and reproductive capabilities. Its functions include providing essential mineral compounds for the organism, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Analysing the biochemical composition of tail fat is crucial for understanding the health of Komodo dragons.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152142",
    doi = "10.3390/ani14152142",
    openalex = "W4400905494",
    references = "doi101093biolinneanblac045"
}