scholarly journals Sparganosis (Spirometra spp.) in Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator): A medical implications for veterinarians, breeders, and consumers

2021 ◽  
pp. 2482-2487
Author(s):  
Aditya Yudhana ◽  
Ratih Novita Praja ◽  
Anjani Marisa Kartikasari
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Local Conservation ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Monitor Lizards ◽  
Asian Water

Background and Aim: The high prevalence of sparganosis has been reported globally, especially in Asian countries where the majority of individuals consume raw meat from wild-caught reptiles. In Indonesia, similar cases regarding the high prevalence of sparganosis were recorded from wild reptiles such as snakes that utilized for culinary purposes, whereas, there are no data regarding other species such as water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), which also provided as daily culinary with a high number of trades. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevalence of sparganosis in water monitor lizard (V. salvator), which is frequently utilized as culinary products in East Java Province, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: A total of 313 living wild-caught and captive-bred Asian water monitor lizards were collected from the reptile markets and breeders. All samples were euthanized and observed for the presence of plerocercoid. Identification of the plerocercoid as larval infective stage was made using carmine staining method. Results: The total prevalence of sparganosis was recorded at 69.64%. A total of 393 plerocercoids were collected in which divided 280 (71.24%) infecting muscles and 113 (28.75%) located in subcutaneous tissues. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study not only recorded as the first evidence but also confirms the role of monitor lizards as sparganosis transmitters in Asia and reveals additional routes of sparganosis transmission in Indonesian reptiles. Local conservation laws should be strengthened to effectively control or ban wildlife trade in traditional markets. Moreover, public awareness regarding sparganosis as a neglected zoonotic disease should be applied to prevent disease transmission in Indonesia.

scholarly journals Anatomy of the Male Reproductive Organ of Water Monitor Lizard, Varanus salvator bivittatus (Reptil: Varanidae)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
mahfud
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Reproductive Organ ◽  
Male Reproductive Organ ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Biological Aspects ◽  
Male Reproductive Organs ◽  
Monitor Lizards ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Asian Water

One of the majority species of Varanidae is Varanus salvator or which commonly known as water monitor lizards (water monitor) or Asian water monitor lizard. This species is the most widely spread out of the all varanids. In Indonesia, V. salvator are distributed in almost all islands, from Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Maluku and Flores. Subspecies V. s. bivittatus was found only in Java, Bali and South East Islands [1]. The information on reproductive biological aspects of the V. s. bivittatus, especially the male reproductive organs is limited. Therefore, the study was aim to explore the male reproductive organs system of V. s. bivittatus that focused on macroscopic evaluation. Two adult male lizards with 45.60 cm SVL from Bogor area were used in this study. The lizard were anesthetized and exanguinated to sacrifice and fixed in 4 % paraformaldehyde through perfusion then followed by visceral observation and morphometric carefully measurement. All the observation finding and collected data were analyzed descriptively and presented in the form of tables and figures. Morphometric data were tabulated in the form of the average (mean) ± standard deviation (SD). Male reproductive organs of the V. s. bivittatus were generally similar to other reptiles such as snakes and lizards, with characteristics a pair of hemipenes. Epididymis was not formed of head, body and radix segment. The deferent duct is a small, straight and short duct which connected the epididymis to cloaca.

Anticancer Properties of Asian Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator), Python (Malayopython reticulatus) and Tortoise (Cuora kamaroma amboinensis)

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1558-1570
Author(s):  
Shareni Jeyamogan ◽  
Naveed A. Khan ◽  
Kuppusamy Sagathevan ◽  
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Adenocarcinoma Cells ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Asian Water

Background: Cancer contributes to significant morbidity and mortality despite advances in treatment and supportive care. There is a need for the identification of effective anticancer agents. Reptiles such as tortoise, python, and water monitor lizards are exposed to heavy metals, tolerate high levels of radiation, feed on rotten/germ-infested feed, thrive in unsanitary habitat and yet have prolonged lifespans. Such species are rarely reported to develop cancer, suggesting the presence of anticancer molecules/mechanisms. Methods: Here, we tested effects from sera of Asian water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), python (Malayopython reticulatus) and tortoise (Cuora kamaroma amboinensis) against cancer cells. Sera were collected and cytotoxicity assays were performed using prostate cancer cells (PC3), Henrietta Lacks cervical adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa) and human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF7), as well as human keratinized skin cells (Hacat), by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release as an indicator for cell death. Growth inhibition assays were performed to determine the effects on cancer cell proliferation. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was performed for molecular identification. Results: The findings revealed that reptilian sera, but not bovine serum, abolished viability of Hela, PC3 and MCF7 cells. Samples were subjected to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, which detected 57 molecules from V. salvator, 81 molecules from Malayopython reticulatus and 33 molecules from C. kamaroma amboinensis and putatively identified 9 molecules from V. salvator, 20 molecules from Malayopython reticulatus and 9 molecules from C. kamaroma amboinensis when matched against METLIN database. Based on peptide amino acid composition, binary profile, dipeptide composition and pseudo-amino acid composition, 123 potential Anticancer Peptides (ACPs) were identified from 883 peptides from V. salvator, 306 potential ACPs from 1074 peptides from Malayopython reticulatus and 235 potential ACPs from 885 peptides from C. kamaroma amboinensis. Conclusion: To our knowledge, for the first time, we reported comprehensive analyses of selected reptiles’ sera using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, leading to the identification of potentially novel anticancer agents. We hope that the discovery of molecules from these animals will pave the way for the rational development of new anticancer agents.

scholarly journals Dietary Correlates of Oral and Gut Microbiota in the Water Monitor Lizard, Varanus salvator (Laurenti, 1768)

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Du ◽  
Jun-Qiong Chen ◽  
Qian Liu ◽  
Jian-Chao Fu ◽  
Chi-Xian Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Oral Microbiota ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Monitor Lizards

Numerous studies have demonstrated that food shapes the structure and composition of the host’s oral and gut microbiota. The disorder of oral and gut microbiota may trigger various host diseases. Here, we collected oral and gut samples from wild water monitor lizards (Varanus salvator) and their captive conspecifics fed with bullfrogs, eggs, and depilated chicken, aiming to examine dietary correlates of oral and gut microbiota. We used the 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology to analyze the composition of the microbiota. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota were the dominant phyla in the oral microbiota, and so were in the gut microbiota. The alpha diversity of microbiota was significantly higher in the gut than in the oral cavity, and the alpha diversity of oral microbiota was higher in captive lizards than in wild conspecifics. Comparing the relative abundance of oral and gut bacteria and their gene functions, differences among different animal groups presumably resulted from human contact in artificial breeding environments and complex food processing. Differences in gene function might be related to the absolute number and/or the taxonomic abundance of oral and gut microorganisms in the wild and the water environment. This study provides not only basic information about the oral and gut microbiota of captive and wild water monitor lizards, but also an inference that feeding on frogs and aquatic products and reducing human exposure help water monitor lizards maintain a microbiota similar to that in the wild environment.

scholarly journals Wildlife hunting by indigenous people in a Philippine protected area: a perspective from Mt. Apo National Park, Mindanao Island

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 10307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizler Cejuela Tanalgo
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
National Park ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Local Conservation ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Palm Civet ◽  
Varanus Salvator

Indigenous people play a major role in the conservation of wildlife species in protected areas.  This paper provides an insight on the involvement of indigenous people in protecting and hunting of wildlife species in Mt. Apo National Park, Mindanao Island, Philippines.  Here, I assessed indigenous knowledge and practices towards wildlife hunting from three villages from Mt. Apo through immersions, interviews, and focus group discussion between May 2014 and January 2015.  The majority of wildlife hunters I encountered were male and married between the ages of 35–60 years old.  Commonly hunted wildlife species from the national park included large wildlife species such as the endemic and threatened Philippine Warty Pig Sus philippensis, Philippine Brown Deer Rusa marianna, Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Reticulated Python Malayopython reticulatus, Common Monitor Lizard Varanus salvator and other large birds such as Rufous Hornbills Buceros hydrocorax, large dove species (i.e., Dacula spp.).  In the past, wildlife hunting was most commonly done for sustenance and culture.  But, poverty and the lack of alternative livelihoods have become a recent motivation to hunt wildlife.  This current findings in this study suggest that wildlife are essential for indigenous people in protected areas, however, hunting practices should be monitored and provide alternative livelihood options to reduce threats.  This study introduced the vital links between local communities and wildlife in protected areas.  Thus, engaging and empowering indigenous people and local communities in wildlife protection combined with appropriate conservation planning are the first steps forward in attaining sustainable and effective local conservation in protected areas. 

scholarly journals Non-invasive and husbandry treatment in a singular post-ovulatory egg stasis on an Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator)

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-26
Author(s):  
Puveanthan Nagappan Govendan ◽  
Zefanya Christiani ◽  
Michael Nadhor Nainggolan ◽  
Slamet Raharjo
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Coelomic Cavity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Egg Deposition ◽  
Distended Abdomen ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Monitor Lizards ◽  
Specimen Radiography ◽  
Asian Water

Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) is among the largest species of monitor lizards kept in captivity due to the elegancy and character of the species. Captive breeding projects of monitor lizards are not common among reptile keepers. A two years old female V. salvator was presented with complains of anorexic and distended abdomen. No record of copulation or egg deposition was noticed from the particular specimen. Radiography confirmed a post-ovulatory egg-stasis (POES) occurring in the coelomic cavity. Fluid therapy and husbandry improvement was indicated as treatments. Oviposition of the POES was noticed 4 days after treatment. Young monitors could be prone to have less quantity of eggs but larger in size

Identification of Antibacterial Molecule(s) from Animals Living in Polluted Environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 425-437
Author(s):  
Foo Y.M. Winnie ◽  
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui ◽  
Kuppusamy Sagathevan ◽  
Naveed A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Heat Inactivation ◽  
Antimicrobial Substances ◽  
Lactate Dehydrogenase Release ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Bactericidal Effects ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Monitor Lizards

Background: Snakes feed on germ-infested rodents, while water monitor lizards thrive on rotten matter in unhygienic conditions. We hypothesize that such creatures survive the assault of superbugs and are able to fend off disease by producing antimicrobial substances. In this study, we investigated the potential antibacterial activity of sera/lysates of animals living in polluted environments. Methods: Snake (Reticulatus malayanus), rats (Rattus rattus), water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), frog (Lithobates catesbeianus), fish (Oreochromis mossambicus), chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), and pigeon (Columba livia) were dissected and their organ lysates/sera were collected. Crude extracts were tested for bactericidal effects against neuropathogenic E. coli K1, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. To determine whether lysates/sera protect human cells against bacterialmediated damage, cytotoxicity assays were performed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release as an indicator of cell death. Lysates/sera were partially characterized using heat-treatment and pronasetreatment and peptide sequences were determined using the Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: Snake and water monitor lizard sera exhibited potent broad-spectrum bactericidal effects against all bacteria tested. Heat inactivation and pronase-treatment inhibited bactericidal effects indicating that activity is heat-labile and pronase-sensitive suggesting that active molecules are proteinaceous in nature. LCMS analyses revealed the molecular identities of peptides. Conclusion: The results revealed that python that feeds on germ-infested rodents and water monitor lizards that feed on rotten organic waste possess antibacterial activity in a heat-sensitive manner and several peptides were identified. We hope that the discovery of antibacterial activity in the sera of animals living in polluted environments will stimulate research in finding antibacterial agents from unusual sources as this has the potential for the development of novel strategies in the control of infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Identification of Acanthocephala on Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator) Human Consumed in Sidoarjo

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ahmad Herdianto Wicaksono ◽  
Emmanuel Djoko Poetranto ◽  
Tatik Hernawati ◽  
Boedi Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Body Cavity ◽  
The Body ◽  
The People ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Monitor Lizards ◽  
High Possibility

Water monitor lizards are consumed by humans for its meat. The demand this reptile consumption because the taste and belief of the people in healing disease. Based on habitat and food, they have the potential to transmit zoonosis and have a high possibility of being infested by parasites. One of the possible disease that could infect water monitor and transmitted to human is acanthocephaliasis, infection from Acanthocephalan. Which previous research found Acanthocephala on intestine of frog. This research aims to know and identify Acanthochepala worms that infect water monitor lizards. Based on the results, 40 samples were used and there are 2 positive samples with Acanthocephalan in the body cavity.

scholarly journals Zoos consenting to the illegal wildlife trade – the earless monitor lizard as a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 69-79
Author(s):  
Vincent Nijman
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Illicit Trade ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Speaking Out ◽  
Lacey Act ◽  
Foreign Law ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Standards ◽  
Monitor Lizards

The illegal wildlife trade has direct relevance for zoo management, animal acquisition and disposition and it has no place in modern zoo management. Zoos must not only act within the law of the country in which it is based, but they should also follow the rules and intentions of international trade regulations and, where relevant, domestic laws of the animal’s country of origin. After its rediscovery in 2012, zoos in Asia and Europe started displaying Bornean earless monitor lizards (Lanthanotus borneensis), the ‘Holy Grail of Herpetology’. Earless monitor lizards have been legally protected in each of its three range countries for over four decades and, over this period, no specimen has ever been legally exported. However, the illicit trade in the species is thriving and individuals become more affordable. Using publicly available data, I present a timeline of how and from where a total of 16 zoos acquired their earless monitor lizards, including from private individuals and non-accredited zoos. Apart from one zoo in Japan (since 2012) and one zoo in the USA (since 2021), all non-range country zoos that currently display the species are based in Europe. Their absence prior to 2021 in US zoos (despite an increasing illegal trade) could be explained as the acquisition of earless monitor lizards would have been in violation of the Lacey Act (1900) that requires buyers to ensure that imported or purchased wildlife has not been taken in violation of any foreign law. While there is no evidence that any of the zoos, their directors or their staff have broken any laws – no-one in the zoo community has been convicted for illegally trading earless monitor lizards – with more zoos speaking out against the illegal wildlife trade, it is imperative that zoos behave in an exemplary manner and set high standards. At present, some zoos do not meet this standard.

Study Anatomy of Vertebrae Caudalis Asiatic Water Monitor (Varanus salvator)

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 109-112
Author(s):  
Rakhmiyati ◽  
Muhammad Jafar Luthfi
Keyword(s):  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Nerve Tissue ◽  
Asian Continent ◽  
Caudal Vertebrae ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Stereo Microscope ◽  
Monitor Lizards

Asiatic water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) is a type of reptile that can be found in several countries on the Asian continent. In Indonesia this species can be found in the Sunda plain (Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara) and Maluku (the Sula and Obi islands). Asiatic water monitor lizard is long tailed reptile. The functions of tail as a movement aid, to maintain balance, a place to store energy, sexual appearance, and reproduction. The caudalis vertebrae in asiatic water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) has a structure consisting of centrum, processus, cotyle, condilus, and constriction area. To observe the caudal vertebrae in monitor lizards the experiment was done by cleaning all the sticky tissue, then observed using a stereo microscope with a magnification of 0.8X. The result showed that blood vessels and nerve tissue were protected by sturdy bones.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document