Somatic growth patterns represent a major component of organismal fitness and may vary among sexes populations due to genetic environmental processes leading profound differences in life-history demography. This study considered the ontogenic, sex-specific spatial dynamics somatic ten world’s largest lizard Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). The 400 individual dragons was measured capture-mark-recapture at sites on four islands eastern Indonesia, from 2002 2010. Generalized Additive Mixed...

Camera trapping has greatly enhanced population monitoring of often cryptic and low abundance apex carnivores. Effectiveness passive infrared camera trapping, ultimately monitoring, relies on temperature mediated differences between the animal its ambient environment to ensure good detection. In ectothermic predators such as large varanid lizards, this criterion is presumed less certain. Here we evaluated effectiveness potentially monitor status Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), an...

Loss of dispersal typifies island biotas, but the selective processes driving this phenomenon remain contentious. This is because selection via, both indirect (e.g. relaxed or syndromes) and direct natural spatial sorting) may be involved, no study has yet convincingly distinguished between these alternatives. Here, we combined observational experimental analyses an lizard, Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis , world's largest lizard), to provide evidence for actions multiple that could...

Monitoring the abundances of prey is important for informing management threatened and endangered predators. We evaluated usefulness faecal counts distance sampling monitoring rusa deer Rusa timorensis , feral pig Sus scrofa water buffalo Bubalus bubalis three key Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis at 11 sites on five islands in around National Park, eastern Indonesia. used species‐specific global detection functions cluster sizes (i.e. multiple covariates sampling) to estimate densities pig,...

Apex predators can have substantial and complex ecological roles in ecosystems. However, differences species-specific traits, population densities, interspecific interactions are likely to determine the strength of apex predators' roles. Here we report complementary studies examining how between predator per capita metabolic rate density influenced biomass, energy use, effects on their large mammalian prey. We first investigated mammal prey resources field rates terrestrial predators,...

Multidisciplinary conservation initiatives are increasingly advocated as best practice for recovering endangered species. The K omodo dragon V aranus komodoensis is the world's largest lizard, of prominent value an umbrella species protection south‐east Indonesian ecosystems. dragons have faced multiple human‐related threat processes in past 30 years and listed on Appendix I Convention International Trade Endangered Species Wild Fauna Flora, considered Vulnerable according to Union...

The population dynamics of island species are considered particularly sensitive to variation in environmental, demographic and/or genetic processes. However, few studies have attempted evaluate the relative importance these processes for key vital rates endemics. We integrated results long‐term capture–mark–recapture analysis, prey surveys, habitat quality assessments and molecular analysis determine causes survival Komodo dragons Varanus komodoensis at 10 sites on four islands National...

The roles of density-dependent and density-independent factors in the dynamics tropical large herbivore populations are poorly understood. Understanding these is particularly important if prey for an apex predator conservation concern because a decline could cause to decline. We tested hypotheses about 2 ungulates, Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) wild pigs (Sus scrofa), Komodo National Park, eastern Indonesia. counted dung (a validated index abundance species) along permanently marked transects...

Abstract The Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis ) is an endangered, island‐endemic species with a naturally restricted distribution. Despite this, no previous studies have attempted to predict the effects of climate change on this iconic species. We used extensive monitoring data, climate, and sea‐level projections build spatially explicit demographic models for dragon. These project species’ future range abundance under multiple scenarios. ran over one million model simulations varying...

Nonconsumptive effects can strongly influence apex predator ecological function. These arise because prey often induce costly phenotypic responses to mitigate predation risk. Yet predator–prey interactions are complex, defenses may vary considerably. We investigated if the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), a reptile predator, induced multiscale antipredator in key prey, Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) and wild pig (Sus scrofa). To this end, we examined temporal spatial partitioning of...

Increasing wildlife awareness is a commonly used approach in community conservations programs. However, Indonesia, this has rarely been quantitatively evaluated for its effectiveness. In North Flores, we carried out short Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) conservation program elementary school students. The mixed communication combining an anthropomorphic storybook and factual information about behavior delivered through presentation video. results from initial study showed that the had...

The islands of Komodo National Park in the Wallacea region are habitats dragon ( Varanus komodoensis ). Although have lower species richness compared to other large Indonesia, they rich endemics, and occurrence invasive would therefore threatened ecological, economic social balance regions. Several papers hinted at possibility invasion Parks by Asian toads, a situation which potentially affect survival dragon. To detect presence invansive toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus its surroundings...

Lizards, as predators, can use different prey foraging strategies that are expected to influence daily movement behavior and home range use. Variation in lizard be achieved via frequency changes step lengths turning angles facilitate distinctive prey-searching strategies. Komodo Dragons (Varanus komodoensis) exhibit a distinct dietary transition at ∼18 kg, where lizards switch from consuming small-bodied abundant species highly dispersed adult ungulate prey. Our study examined competing...

In this study we assessed interactions among Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis populations, individual dragons and two tick parasites Amblyomma robinsoni Aponomma komodoense to assess variation in host-parasite aggregations. Prevalence of ticks was uniformly high (> 98%) but median abundance varied 3.52 fold 9 host lizard populations. There no evidence suggest that average abundances were correlated with genetic similarities (Rm = 0.133, P 0.446) or geographic proximities 0.175 P=0.303)...

We document six observations of an aquatic behaviour used by rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) to delay imminent attack from Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis). This unusual arose after fled into the nearby seawater following a solitary dragon. Once in sea, remained relatively stationary standing shallow water (<1 m deep) for up 4 h. generally allowed avoid in-water dragons. However, if did not die injuries, they moved back onto land and were subsequently killed The delays subsequent...

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, is an endemic species protected by Indonesian law, mostly due to its population size and limited distribution. natural distribution the National Park several areas on island Flores surroundings. However, increasing tourism in habitat might increase conflict between humans. To study impact human activities behavior dragon, we constructed ethogram catalog behavioral inventories enable future quantitative comparison. was...