Embryonic development of the monitor lizard, Varanus indicus
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Describing the stages of normal development of Varanus indicus, the present paper provides the first developmental data on Varanidae. The incubation period is relatively long (180 days at 28°C) and without any diapause. The development is rather slow during the first 50 days, after which a considerable acceleration can be observed. The stage of accelerated growth terminates at app. 100 days when all essential specificities of adult organisation (prolonged narial region with vomeronasal organ, eyes, claws, large heart and robust body and limbs) are established. The remaining period of the embryonic development is characterized by continuation of the respective trends, i.e., enlarging body, prolongation of rostrum, enlarging teeth and claws, keratinisation of claws and scales etc. In short, the second half of the embryonic development of Varanus is devoted to refining the structures supporting its adaptations for active predation.
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Embryonic development of the monitor lizard, Varanus indicus
In: Amphibia-ReptiliaSearch for other papers by Martina Gregorovicova in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Oldrich Zahradnicek in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Abigail S. Tucker in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Petr Velensky in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ivan Horacek in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Describing the stages of normal development of Varanus indicus, the present paper provides the first developmental data on Varanidae. The incubation period is relatively long (180 days at 28°C) and without any diapause. The development is rather slow during the first 50 days, after which a considerable acceleration can be observed. The stage of accelerated growth terminates at app. 100 days when all essential specificities of adult organisation (prolonged narial region with vomeronasal organ, eyes, claws, large heart and robust body and limbs) are established. The remaining period of the embryonic development is characterized by continuation of the respective trends, i.e., enlarging body, prolongation of rostrum, enlarging teeth and claws, keratinisation of claws and scales etc. In short, the second half of the embryonic development of Varanus is devoted to refining the structures supporting its adaptations for active predation.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1257 | 0 | 0 |
| Full Text Views | 656 | 370 | 19 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 591 | 451 | 37 |