The Musculoskeletal Anatomy of the Komodo Dragon’s Hindlimb (Varanus komodoensis, Varanidae)

Abstract

This study provides a detailed examination of the musculoskeletal anatomy of the Komodo dragon’s hindlimbs, with a focus on structural features related to posture and locomotion. Anatomical dissection was primarily performed to investigate all regions of the pelvic limb. Radiographic imaging was employed complementarily to analyze the overall skeletal structure, while histological analysis was applied to examine the muscle tissue and fiber architecture. The muscles demonstrated a dense fiber arrangement, leading to a compact and firm structure with minimal adipose tissue and a well-developed connective tissue sheath. The muscle fiber diameters ranged from 11 to 220 µm, underscoring significant diversity in fiber architecture. These findings improve our understanding of the Komodo dragon’s pelvic limb anatomy and open new avenues for research into its functional adaptations, with broader implications for its biological research. These results contribute valuable anatomical insights, emphasizing the pivotal role of biomechanics in the evolutionary adaptations of Komodo dragons, particularly in sustaining a sprawling limb posture. This research is especially relevant for clinicians, including orthopedic surgeons, who are involved in limb-related procedures for this species.