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Komodo dragons sequester iron in their teeth to maintain a cutting edge

Nature Ecology & Evolution volume 8, pages 1577–1578 (2024)Cite this article

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The serrated, blade-shaped teeth of Komodo dragons make these lizards ideal models for understanding the function of similarly shaped dinosaur teeth. Analyses of the teeth of Komodo dragons have revealed protective iron coatings along their serrations and tips, a surprising feature that could be more widespread among reptiles.

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Fig. 1: Iron-coated serrations in Komodo dragon teeth.

References

  1. D’Amore, D. C. & Blumenschine, R. J. Komodo monitor (Varanus komodoensis) feeding behaviour and dental function reflected through tooth marks on bone surfaces, and the application to ziphodont paleobiology. Paleobiol. 35, 525–552 (2009). This paper reports on the feeding behaviour of the Komodo dragon and its applications for understanding theropod dinosaur feeding.

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This is a summary of: LeBlanc, A. R. H. et al. Iron-coated Komodo dragon teeth and the complex dental enamel of carnivorous reptiles. Nat. Ecol. Evol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02477-7 (2024).

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Komodo dragons sequester iron in their teeth to maintain a cutting edge. Nat Ecol Evol 8, 1577–1578 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02479-5

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