Recent Komodo postings of Dr. Bryan Fry

[Rob_H]

i didn't realize there were so many biochemists and toxinologists on this board....

Yes, they`re "10 a penny" on these websites.....

I think using the public's money for research entitles them to discuss it though don't you think?

Either way, Fry et al has published in general journals (PNAS, Nature, Science), so of course they will welcome scrutiny by non-specialists.... and I would say that it's a huge achievement if you've explained your subject so well that non-specialists know enough to disagree with you.

Hi, I think you`ve clearly misunderstood what was stated in the articles; at no time have Bryan or his associates claimed the Komodo dragons drank the water the prey had been wallowing in and that`s where the bacteria in their mouths came from?
They found the most advanced venom delivery system of any reptile in V. komodensis.
Maybe you can read ALL the articles again and then offer your opinions? Alternatively, you could contact the scientists immediately and inform them you know better (just kidding)!

Ouch! I won't claim to have read all of Fry's work: I'd be seriously impressed if you have! However, this is exactly what Fry has said though; in talks at conferences, in press releases, and he's implied it in some papers.... including the one we're talking about. I really don't have time to dig the quotes out at the moment, but will if you remind me later/still want proof.

There are pros and cons to both the venom idea and the bacteria idea, but I don't think either one can be advocated as being more or less important in an ecological context until a study is actually DONE in an ecological context. This is the question where specific expertise in biochemistry is useless. I guess the main problem is that buffs and pigs are introduced, so we'll never really know the evolutionary context of the bacteria idea unless someone shows there are specific adaptations to allow their colonisation (such as a behavioural preferences for drinking putrid vs clean water etc). But again, whether predatory behaviour using pathogenic microbes is an evolved response or not doesn't detract that it may now be important for the animal's foraging ecology.

By the way, by no means do Komodos have 'the most advanced venom delivery system of any reptile'. I assume that was a typo... or that you've never seen a viper or elapid before .