18 results on '"Sonja Luz"'
Search Results
2. Addressing the Biodiversity Paradox: Mismatch between the Co-Occurrence of Biological Diversity and the Human, Financial and Institutional Resources to Address Its Decline
- Author
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Jon Paul Rodríguez, Bibiana Sucre, Kira Mileham, Ada Sánchez-Mercado, Nahomy De Andrade, Simeon Bezeng Bezeng, Carmel Croukamp, João Falcato, Pablo García-Borboroglu, Susana González, Paula González-Ciccia, José F. González-Maya, Lucy Kemp, Mirza D. Kusrini, Cristina Lopez-Gallego, Sonja Luz, Vivek Menon, Patricia D. Moehlman, Domitilla C. Raimondo, Claudio Sillero-Zubiri, William Street, Amanda Vincent, and Yan Xie
- Subjects
act ,assess ,capacity building ,extinction risk ,geographic distribution ,Global Biodiversity Framework ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Pressures are mounting for the adoption of a Global Biodiversity Framework that transforms conservation and sustainable use efforts worldwide. Underlying this challenge is the biodiversity paradox: biological diversity predominantly concentrates in the tropics, while human, institutional, and financial resources are primarily located at higher latitudes both north and south. Addressing the biodiversity paradox requires the expansion and mobilization of human, institutional and financial resources around the world. We outline a model championed by the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) that builds on the Species Conservation Cycle (Assess-Plan-Act-Network-Communicate) and recognizes that most conservation action occurs at the national or local level. Various strategies are applied to this end by the partners of Reverse the Red, a global movement that ignites strategic cooperation and science-based action to ensure the survival of wild species and ecosystems. The SSC contributes to Reverse the Red through two primary strategies: National Species Specialist Groups and Centers for Species Survival. By building on existing expert networks and catalyzing efforts with established local institutions, we aim to significantly expand capacity to implement conservation action at the national level and reverse the negative trends indicated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the Red List of Ecosystems.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Evaluating the feasibility of pangolin farming and its potential conservation impact
- Author
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Daniel W.S. Challender, Michael't Sas-Rolfes, Gary W.J. Ades, Jason S.C. Chin, Nick Ching-Min Sun, Ju lian Chong, Ellen Connelly, Lisa Hywood, Sonja Luz, Rajesh K. Mohapatra, Paul de Ornellas, Keri Parker, Darren W. Pietersen, Scott I. Roberton, Gono Semiadi, Debbie Shaw, Chris R. Shepherd, Paul Thomson, Yifu Wang, Leanne Wicker, Shi Bao Wu, and Helen C. Nash
- Subjects
Ecology ,QH540-549.5 - Abstract
Pangolins are threatened by overexploitation for local and international use. They are subject to an international commercial trade ban, and are also the focus of other interventions, including attempts at commercial captive breeding. The impact that the latter could have on the conservation of wild populations deserves consideration. We critically evaluate the feasibility of commercial captive breeding (or farming) of pangolins to displace wild collection and assess its potential conservation impact on pangolin conservation using a recently published framework developed for this purpose. Of the 17 conditions posited that need to be met for supply-side interventions to displace wild collection, we find that pangolins meet a maximum of only six conditions. This analysis suggests that pangolin farming will not displace wild collection in the near future. Major barriers include an inability to breed pangolins on a commercial scale and available data suggest that it would be unprofitable. The immediate impact of pangolin farming on conservation of the species’ is unclear, but it is unlikely to benefit the conservation of wild populations. If commercial captive breeding were possible, it is uncertain how it would affect economic incentives for poaching, interactions between legal and illegal markets, stockpile policies, and how consumers and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners would respond. To understand better the potential overall impact of pangolin farming on wild populations there is a need for further research on these uncertainties. The framework used has utility in analysing the potential impact of wildlife farming but there remains a need for a more robust approach to evaluate potential impacts of supply-side interventions. Keywords: Economics, Enforcement, Market, Regulation, Supply-side conservation, Wildlife farming
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Melioidosis in Singapore: Clinical, Veterinary, and Environmental Perspectives
- Author
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Siew Hoon Sim, Catherine Ee Ling Ong, Yunn Hwen Gan, Dongling Wang, Victor Wee Hong Koh, Yian Kim Tan, Michelle Su Yen Wong, Janet Seok Wei Chew, Sian Foong Ling, Brian Zi Yan Tan, Agnes Zhengyu Ye, Patrick Chuan Kiat Bay, Wai Kwan Wong, Charlene Judith Fernandez, Shangzhe Xie, Praveena Jayarajah, Tasha Tahar, Pei Yee Oh, Sonja Luz, Jaime Mei Fong Chien, Thuan Tong Tan, Louis Yi Ann Chai, Dale Fisher, Yichun Liu, Jimmy Jin Phang Loh, and Gladys Gek Yen Tan
- Subjects
melioidosis ,B. pseudomallei ,Singapore ,clinical ,veterinary ,environmental ,Medicine - Abstract
Melioidosis is a notifiable infectious disease registered with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), Singapore. From a clinical perspective, increased awareness of the disease has led to early detection and treatment initiation, thus resulting in decreasing mortality rates in recent years. However, the disease still poses a threat to local pet, zoo and farm animals, where early diagnosis is a challenge. The lack of routine environmental surveillance studies also makes prevention of the disease in animals difficult. To date, there have been no reports that provide a complete picture of how the disease impacts the local human and animal populations in Singapore. Information on the distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in the environment is also lacking. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of both published and unpublished clinical, veterinary and environmental studies on melioidosis in Singapore to achieve better awareness and management of the disease.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Georeferencing Sunda pangolin Manis javanica records in Singapore
- Author
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Muhammad Khairuldin Aziz, Anthony O'Dempsey, Bee Choo Ng, Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan, Sonja Luz, Charlene Yeong, Sharon Chan, and Marcus A.H. Chua
- Subjects
Citizen science ,conservation ,georeferencing ,Manis javanica ,roadkill ,sightings ,Singapore ,Sunda pangolin ,wildlife rescue ,General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution ,QH1-199.5 - Abstract
In Singapore, the Critically Endangered Sunda pangolin Manis javanica is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and road traffic collisions. To mitigate these threats, an understanding of its spatiotemporal distribution is needed, as identified in the National Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for the species. However, Sunda pangolin occurrence data are held in multiple separate databases, are typically collected using non-standardized methods, and often lack accurate location details. To compile a complete georeferenced database of Sunda pangolin records in Singapore, we consolidated occurrence data from heterogeneous databases and mainstream and social media, and converted locality descriptions into geographical coordinates. We demonstrate the use of this database to analyse data on rescued pangolins and those killed on roads, to aid conservation efforts in Singapore, and describe other potential applications. We georeferenced 482 records of pangolin sightings, rescues and roadkill for 1996–2021, finding an increase in all three over the study period. Roadkill and rescues occurred mostly in central and western Singapore, close to forested areas, and were predominantly of subadults and adult males. The data can be used to inform threat mitigation strategies, post-rescue release plans and further research. The database has already been used in practice, contributing to environmental impact assessments and conservation recommendations. Overall, this georeferenced database demonstrates the value of citizen science and collating wildlife data from multiple sources, and the methods used can be applied to other taxa to aid conservation strategies.
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Addressing the Biodiversity Paradox: Mismatch between the Co-Occurrence of Biological Diversity and the Human, Financial and Institutional Resources to Address Its Decline
- Author
-
Jon Paul Rodríguez, Bibiana Sucre, Kira Mileham, Ada Sánchez-Mercado, Nahomy De Andrade, Simeon Bezeng Bezeng, Carmel Croukamp, João Falcato, Pablo García-Borboroglu, Susana González, Paula González-Ciccia, José F. González-Maya, Lucy Kemp, Mirza D. Kusrini, Cristina Lopez-Gallego, Sonja Luz, Vivek Menon, Patricia D. Moehlman, Domitilla C. Raimondo, Claudio Sillero-Zubiri, William Street, Amanda Vincent, and Yan Xie
- Subjects
Ecology ,Ecological Modeling ,Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous) ,Nature and Landscape Conservation - Abstract
Pressures are mounting for the adoption of a Global Biodiversity Framework that transforms conservation and sustainable use efforts worldwide. Underlying this challenge is the biodiversity paradox: biological diversity predominantly concentrates in the tropics, while human, institutional, and financial resources are primarily located at higher latitudes both north and south. Addressing the biodiversity paradox requires the expansion and mobilization of human, institutional and financial resources around the world. We outline a model championed by the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) that builds on the Species Conservation Cycle (Assess-Plan-Act-Network-Communicate) and recognizes that most conservation action occurs at the national or local level. Various strategies are applied to this end by the partners of Reverse the Red, a global movement that ignites strategic cooperation and science-based action to ensure the survival of wild species and ecosystems. The SSC contributes to Reverse the Red through two primary strategies: National Species Specialist Groups and Centers for Species Survival. By building on existing expert networks and catalyzing efforts with established local institutions, we aim to significantly expand capacity to implement conservation action at the national level and reverse the negative trends indicated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the Red List of Ecosystems.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Veterinary Observations and Biological Specimen Use after a Massive Confiscation of Palawan Forest Turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis)
- Author
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Charles J. Innis, Kenneth Conley, Paul Gibbons, Nicole I. Stacy, Heather D.S. Walden, Paolo Martelli, Sonja Luz, Karthiyani Krishnasamy, Cris Hagen, John Sykes, Diverlie Acosta, Kyle Tabug, Matthew O'Connor, Vicente Vergara Wilson, James Liu, Czaba Géczy, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, Ihsaan Sebro, Sheena Koeth, S. Mariah Lancaster, Alessandro Grioni, Sandra Schneider, Olivia Vandersanden, Thomas Owens, Andrew Walde, Niño Rey C. Estoya, Allyson Lee, and Sabine Schoppe
- Subjects
Animal Science and Zoology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Published
- 2022
8. List of contributors
- Author
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Levita Acosta-Lagrada, Gary Ades, Nick Ahlers, Faraz Akrim, Daniel Alempijevic, Dexter Alvarado, Shaista Andleeb, Brou Guy-Mathieu Assovi, Sam Ayebare, Guillaume Billet, Timothy C. Bonebrake, Anbarasi Boopal, Tom Bruce, Gayle Burgess, Francis Cabana, Rod Cassidy, Tamar Cassidy, Daniel W.S. Challender, Jung-Tai Chao, Shavez Cheema, Tina Ting-Yu Chen, Wenda Cheng, Jason Shih-Chien Chin, Ju Lian Chong, Yi Fei Chung, Rosie Cooney, Desire Lee Dalton, Tim R.B. Davenport, Enrico Di Minin, Holly Dublin, Sérgio Ferreira-Cardoso, Louise Fletcher, Andrew Fowler, Philippe Gaubert, Timothy J. Gaudin, Maja Gudehus, Lam Kim Hai, Stuart R. Harrop, John Hart, Terese Hart, Anna Hausmann, Lionel Hautier, Martin Hega, Sean P. Heighton, Sarah Heinrich, Michael Hoffmann, Rachel Hoffmann, Ichu Godwill Ichu, Daniel J. Ingram, Nausheen Irshad, Nian-Hong Jang-Liaw, Raymond Jansen, Zhigang Jiang, Jessica Jimerson, Jim Kao, Prativa Kaspal, Lydia K.D. Katsis, Ambika P. Khatiwada, Antoinette Kotze, Ade Kurniawan, Juan Lapuente, Natalie Lawrence, Paige B. Lee, Caroline Lees, Chenny Li, Hou-Feng Li, Jocy Yu-Wen Li, Norman T-L Lim, Chung-Chi Lin, Flora Hsuan-Yi Lo, Karin Lourens, Sonja Luz, Tariq Mahmood, Fiona Maisels, David Mills, Rajesh Kumar Mohapatra, Dana J. Morin, Helen C. Nash, Constant Ndjassi, Bruno Nebe, Leo Niskanen, Stuart Nixon, Rob Ogden, Alegria Olmedo, Annette Olsson, Colman O’Criodain, Wendy Panaino, Sudarsan Panda, Elisa Panjang, Keri Parker, Kumar Paudel, Priyan Perera, Darren W. Pietersen, Christian Plowman, Paul Rankin, Madhu Rao, Amy Roberts, Dilys Roe, Sabine Schoppe, Gono Semiadi, Sandhya Sharma, Debbie Shaw, Chris R. Shepherd, Matthew H. Shirley, Diane Skinner, Olufemi Sodeinde, Withoon Sodsai, Durojaye Soewu, Bee Choo Ng Strange, Nick Ching-Min Sun, Tulshi Laxmi Suwal, Jonathan Swart, Sanjan Thapa, Paul Thomson, Kathy Traylor-Holzer, Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes, Diogo Veríssimo, Akshay Vishwanath, Martin T. Walsh, Muhammad Waseem, Carly Waterman, John R. Wible, Leanne Vivian Wicker, Daniel Willcox, Oliver Withers, Nicci Wright, Wendy Wright, Shibao Wu, Shuang Xing, Yishuang Yu, Fuhua Zhang, Mingxia Zhang, Youlong Zhou, and Tenke Zoltani
- Published
- 2020
9. Zoo engagement in pangolin conservation: contributions, opportunities, challenges, and the way forward
- Author
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Sonja Luz and Keri Parker
- Subjects
Conservation planning ,Geography ,Extinction ,biology ,Pangolin ,IUCN Species Survival Commission ,Wildlife ,biology.organism_classification ,Environmental planning ,Wildlife conservation - Abstract
This chapter discusses contributions that zoos have made to pangolin conservation, opportunities for increased zoo engagement in pangolin conservation, and the challenges and risks that impede those opportunities. Discussions include what defines a “conservation zoo” and the contributions of international zoo networks to wildlife conservation. Case studies of zoo-supported conservation programs that secured species from extinction are provided. Challenges, such as unscrupulous entities that launder wildlife through legal mechanisms, and conflict among stakeholders are examined. Next steps for pangolin conservation planning are recommended, such as following the IUCN Species Survival Commission Guidelines on the Use of Ex situ Management for Species Conservation. Applying these Guidelines under the framework of the One Plan Approach can ensure decisions about ex situ management activities with pangolins are made collectively by all of the important stakeholders to support conservation goals. Suggested ways that zoos can make a positive difference for pangolins are offered.
- Published
- 2020
10. Pythons, parasites, and pests: anthropogenic impacts onSarcocystis(Sarcocystidae) transmission in a multi-host system
- Author
-
Abraham Mathew, David Bickford, Anne Devan-Song, Mary-Ruth Low, and Sonja Luz
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,biology ,Ecology ,Biodiversity ,Zoology ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,Habitat ,Sarcocystidae ,Python (genus) ,Sarcocystis ,Ecosystem ,PEST analysis ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Trophic level - Abstract
Parasites are essential components of ecosystems and can be instrumental in maintaining host diversity and populations; however, their role in trophic interactions has often been overlooked. Three apicomplexan parasite species of Sarcocystis (S. singaporensis, S. zamani, and S. villivillosi) use the reticulated python as their definitive hosts and several species within the Rattus genus as intermediate hosts, and they form a system useful for studying interactions between host–parasite and predator–prey relationships, as well as anthropogenic impacts on parasite transmission. Based on predictions from a 1998 survey, which detected an inverse relationship between urban development and Sarcocystis infection in Rattus, we tested the hypothesis that Sarcocystis transmission in Singapore will decrease over time due to anthropogenic activities. Despite a large proportion of the reticulated python diet consisting of Rattus species at all sizes of pythons, Sarcocystis infection rates decreased from 1998 to 2010. Pythons found in industrial areas had lower Sarcocystis infection rates, particularly in the western industrial area of Singapore Island. Average python size also decreased, with implications that we predict may disrupt host–parasite relationships. Anthropogenic activities such as habitat modification, fragmentation, and systematic removal and translocation of pythons have negative impacts on Sarcocystis transmission in Singapore, which in turn may augment pest rat populations. Trends observed may ultimately have negative impacts on human health and biodiversity in the region.
- Published
- 2017
11. Evaluating the feasibility of pangolin farming and its potential conservation impact
- Author
-
Darren William Pietersen, Ellen Connelly, Gono Semiadi, Jason Shih-Chien Chin, Scott I. Roberton, Paul de Ornellas, Chris R. Shepherd, Shi Bao Wu, Keri Parker, Debbie Shaw, Nick Ching-Min Sun, Sonja Luz, Michael 't Sas-Rolfes, Ju Lian Chong, Paul Thomson, Yifu Wang, Daniel W.S. Challender, Gary Ades, Lisa Hywood, Helen C. Nash, Rajesh Kumar Mohapatra, and Leanne Vivian Wicker
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Ecology ,biology ,business.industry ,Natural resource economics ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Pangolin ,Wildlife ,Poaching ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Overexploitation ,Incentive ,Agriculture ,lcsh:QH540-549.5 ,Captive breeding ,Threatened species ,lcsh:Ecology ,business ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Nature and Landscape Conservation - Abstract
Pangolins are threatened by overexploitation for local and international use. They are subject to an international commercial trade ban, and are also the focus of other interventions, including attempts at commercial captive breeding. The impact that the latter could have on the conservation of wild populations deserves consideration. We critically evaluate the feasibility of commercial captive breeding (or farming) of pangolins to displace wild collection and assess its potential conservation impact on pangolin conservation using a recently published framework developed for this purpose. Of the 17 conditions posited that need to be met for supply-side interventions to displace wild collection, we find that pangolins meet a maximum of only six conditions. This analysis suggests that pangolin farming will not displace wild collection in the near future. Major barriers include an inability to breed pangolins on a commercial scale and available data suggest that it would be unprofitable. The immediate impact of pangolin farming on conservation of the species’ is unclear, but it is unlikely to benefit the conservation of wild populations. If commercial captive breeding were possible, it is uncertain how it would affect economic incentives for poaching, interactions between legal and illegal markets, stockpile policies, and how consumers and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners would respond. To understand better the potential overall impact of pangolin farming on wild populations there is a need for further research on these uncertainties. The framework used has utility in analysing the potential impact of wildlife farming but there remains a need for a more robust approach to evaluate potential impacts of supply-side interventions. Keywords: Economics, Enforcement, Market, Regulation, Supply-side conservation, Wildlife farming
- Published
- 2019
12. Infopaket Neuseeland
- Author
-
Sonja Luz, Margret Boigs, and Birgit Schätz
- Published
- 2013
13. Infopaket Australien
- Author
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Sonja Luz, Hanna Meyer, and Lito-Laura Gerhold
- Published
- 2013
14. Infopaket Medizinjournalismus
- Author
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Sonja Luz and Felicitas Witte
- Published
- 2013
15. Conservation First: Strategic Planning to Save the Critically Endangered Singapore Freshwater Crab, Johora singaporensis
- Author
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Yixiong Cai, Daniel J J Ng, Philip J K McGowan, Sonja Luz, Darren C. J. Yeo, Roopali Raghavan, Geoffrey W. H. Davison, and Neil Cumberlidge
- Subjects
Strategic planning ,Engineering ,biology ,business.industry ,Ecology ,Johora singaporensis ,biology.organism_classification ,Fishery ,Critically endangered ,Action plan ,Threatened species ,IUCN Red List ,business ,Freshwater crab ,Invertebrate - Abstract
The critically endangered Singapore freshwater crab, Johora singaporensis, is among the 100 most threatened species in the world. The species is endemic to Singapore and known from only a few hill stream localities. Conservation approaches so far have largely focused on basic descriptive research into the animal’s taxonomy, autecology and distribution, and on in situ site conservation and management. In an effort to enhance and ensure the long-term survival of this flagship aquatic invertebrate, a conservation strategy was recently developed along International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines to integrate efforts and approaches into a cohesive action plan. This article outlines the background, development processes (including analysis of threats), and follow-up that have led to publication of the Singapore freshwater crab species conservation strategy, which is to our knowledge, the first for a single invertebrate species.
- Published
- 2016
16. Melioidosis in Singapore: Clinical, Veterinary, and Environmental Perspectives
- Author
-
Pei Yee Oh, Thuan Tong Tan, Patrick Chuan Kiat Bay, Tasha Tahar, Praveena Jayarajah, Dale Fisher, Yichun Liu, Gladys Tan, Shangzhe Xie, Louis Yi Ann Chai, Janet S. W. Chew, Yian Kim Tan, Dongling Wang, Brian Zi Yan Tan, Charlene Judith Fernandez, Victor Wee Hong Koh, Agnes Zhengyu Ye, Sian Foong Ling, Catherine Ong, Wai Kwan Wong, Jaime Mei Fong Chien, Jimmy Loh, Siew Hoon Sim, Yunn-Hwen Gan, Michelle Su Yen Wong, and Sonja Luz
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Veterinary medicine ,Melioidosis ,B. pseudomallei ,030106 microbiology ,030231 tropical medicine ,MEDLINE ,lcsh:Medicine ,Disease ,clinical ,environmental ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,medicine ,Singapore ,General Immunology and Microbiology ,biology ,Burkholderia pseudomallei ,business.industry ,Mortality rate ,lcsh:R ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,veterinary ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Environmental studies ,Infectious Diseases ,Infectious disease (medical specialty) ,Christian ministry ,melioidosis ,business - Abstract
Melioidosis is a notifiable infectious disease registered with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), Singapore. From a clinical perspective, increased awareness of the disease has led to early detection and treatment initiation, thus resulting in decreasing mortality rates in recent years. However, the disease still poses a threat to local pet, zoo and farm animals, where early diagnosis is a challenge. The lack of routine environmental surveillance studies also makes prevention of the disease in animals difficult. To date, there have been no reports that provide a complete picture of how the disease impacts the local human and animal populations in Singapore. Information on the distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in the environment is also lacking. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of both published and unpublished clinical, veterinary and environmental studies on melioidosis in Singapore to achieve better awareness and management of the disease.
- Published
- 2018
17. A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus (Megalania) priscus
- Author
-
Jeanette Ingle, Colin R. McHenry, Ellie J C Goldstein, Wouter M. Teeuwisse, Kim Roelants, Christofer J. Clemente, Janette A Norman, Stephen Wroe, Diane M Citron, Eleni Giannakis, Denis B. Scanlon, Matthias J.P. van Osch, Karthiyani Krishnasamy, J McNaughtan, John A. Karas, Toni L. Ferrara, Hang Fai Kwok, Louise van der Weerd, Paolo Martelli, Elazar Kochva, Kelly Lee Winter, Laura Greisman, Sonja Luz, Wayne C. Hodgson, Bryan G. Fry, Holger Scheib, Karen Moreno, Phillip D. Clausen, Wake, David B., Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology, Ecology and Systematics, Fry, Bryan G, Wroe, Stephen, Teeuwisse, Wouter, van, Osch Matthias JP, Giannakis, Eleni, and Norman, Janette A
- Subjects
Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Bacteria ,Ecology ,Venoms ,Skull ,Deep wounds ,Venom ,Lizards ,Biological Sciences ,biology.organism_classification ,Extinction, Biological ,phylogeny ,Predation ,squamate ,Predatory behavior ,biology.animal ,Predatory Behavior ,evolution ,Komodo dragon ,Animals ,Dentition ,protein ,toxin ,Megalania - Abstract
The predatory ecology of Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) has been a subject of long-standing interest and considerable conjecture. Here, we investigate the roles and potential interplay between cranial mechanics, toxic bacteria, and venom. Our analyses point to the presence of a sophisticated combined-arsenal killing apparatus. We find that the lightweight skull is relatively poorly adapted to generate high bite forces but better adapted to resist high pulling loads. We reject the popular notion regarding toxic bacteria utilization. Instead, we demonstrate that the effects of deep wounds inflicted are potentiated through venom with toxic activities including anticoagulation and shock induction. Anatomical comparisons of V. komodoensis with V. ( Megalania ) priscus fossils suggest that the closely related extinct giant was the largest venomous animal to have ever lived.
- Published
- 2009
18. Field study on the use of inactivated H5N2 vaccine in avian species
- Author
-
Lim Chee Wee, Oh Soon Hock, Paolo Martelli, Er Jwee Chiek, Sonja Luz, Ng Mee Keun, Serena Oh, and Chris Furley
- Subjects
Vaccination ,General Veterinary ,Field (physics) ,Treatment outcome ,Influenza A virus ,medicine ,General Medicine ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Virology ,Hemagglutination tests - Published
- 2005
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