Histological and histochemical characterisation of the salivary glands of the palatine fold and the mandibular venom gland of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis).

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living lizard whose hunting strategy allows it to attack large animals. It inflicts serious damage to its prey with specially developed teeth, called ziphodonts. Although the mandibular venom gland system was previously detected in the Komodo dragon, there is still a lack of its histochemical analysis.

Macroanatomical, Histological and Microtomographic Study of the Teeth of the Komodo Dragon ()-Adaptation to Hunting.

The present study aimed to characterize the macrostructure and microstructure of the mandibular teeth of the Komodo dragon () and the methods it uses to obtain food. Examinations were performed using a stereoscopic microscope, autofluorescence method, histological method and computed microtomography. A detailed macro- and micro-structural description of mandibular teeth were made.