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Why lizards may inherit the Earth

Nature (2013)Cite this article

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Monitor lizards' method of oxygen extraction is a possible explanation for their success.

A species of lizard captures oxygen from air when both inhaling and exhaling — a characteristic normally associated with birds. Many scientists believe that birds developed the adaptation to cope with the enormous energy needed to take flight, and the discovery of ‘unidirectional breathing’ in the savannah monitor lizard1 raises questions about when and why the trait evolved.

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References

  1. Schachner, E. R. et al. Nature http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature12871 (2013)

  2. Farmer, C. G. and Sanders, K. Science 327, 338-340 (2010)

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Authors
  1. Ewen Callaway
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Nature Podcast

Our reporter speaks to Colleen Farmer about her surprising discovery on monitor lizards.

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Callaway, E. Why lizards may inherit the Earth. Nature (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature.2013.14355

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature.2013.14355

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