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

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
mahfud

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.

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
. Mahfud ◽  
Chairun Nisa’ ◽  
Adi Winarto

Indonesia merupakan negara dengan tingkat eksploitasi biawak V. salvator terbesar di dunia yang sebagian besar untuk melayani permintaan perdagangan kulit. Tingginya permintaan kulit biawak di Indonesia mengkhawatirkan menyebabkan turunnya populasi satwa tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari anatomi organ reproduksi jantan biawak air asia (Varanus salvator) (Reptil: Varanidae). Dua ekor biawak jantan dewasa digunakan dalam penelitian ini. Hewan dianestesi, dilakukan exanguinasi, dan difiksasi dengan larutan paraformaldehida 4% secara perfusi. Pengamatan dilakukan terhadap situs viscerum, morfologi, dan morfometri organ reproduksi mulai testis sampai hemipenis. Secara makroskopis, organ reproduksi jantan V. salvator terdiri atas testis, ductus epididymidis, ductus deferens dan hemipenis yang masing-masing berjumlah sepasang. Posisi testis menggantung di dinding dorsal coelom melalui mesorchium. Dari bagian dorsal testis terdapat ductus epididymidis yang panjangsampai di ujung kaudal ginjal. Ductus deferens, berupa saluran kecil, lurus dan berakhir di ujung hemipenis yang terletak di dalam pangkal ekor. Pada bagian kranial hemipenis ditutupi oleh papillae berbentuk konikal. Di kaudal dari hemipenis ditemukan otot retraktor yang memanjang ke arah ekor, dan diduga berperan menarik hemipenis ke dalam setelah kopulasi. Organ reproduksi jantan biawak secara umum mirip dengan reptilia lain khususnya ular dan kadal, dengan karakteristik adanya sepasang hemipenis.Kata kunci: Varanidae, Varanus salvator, organ reproduksi jantan, hemipenis, otot retraktor. (Anatomy of The Male Reproductive Organ of Water Monitor, Varanus salvator (Reptil: Varanidae))Indonesia is a country with high levels of exploitation of Varanus salvator that mainly serve the demand of leather trade. The high demand of lizard leather in Indonesian was alarming, cause a decline population of these animals. To improve our understanding on reproduction organs of the animal, we conduct this anatomical study. The study was used two adult male lizards. The animals were anesthetized, exanguinated and fixated in 4% paraformaldehyde by tissue perfusion method. Observations were performed to the visceral site, morphological and morphometrical of the male reproductive organs, from testes to hemipenes. Macroscopically, male reproductive organs of V. salvator were a pair of testes, epididymidis ducts, deferens ducts and hemipenes. The testis attached to dorsal wall of the coelom and fixed by the mesorchium. The epididymidis duct was long tubes that located in the dorsal of testes, winding up at the caudal end of the kidney. The deferens duct was a small duct, running straight and last at the end of each hemipenis, located at the base of the tail. The cranial part of each hemipenis was covered by conical shaped papillae. Furthermore, at the caudal of each hemipenis was found the retractor muscle that extends toward the tail, and is thought to contribute to the retracting hemipenis after copulation. The male reproductive organs of V. salvator are generally similar to the other reptiles, especially snakes and lizards, with peculiar a pair of hemipenes.Keywords: Varanidae, Varanus salvator, male reproductive organs, hemipenes, retractor muscles.


2021 ◽  
pp. 2482-2487
Author(s):  
Aditya Yudhana ◽  
Ratih Novita Praja ◽  
Anjani Marisa Kartikasari

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1558-1570
Author(s):  
Shareni Jeyamogan ◽  
Naveed A. Khan ◽  
Kuppusamy Sagathevan ◽  
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui

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.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Du ◽  
Jun-Qiong Chen ◽  
Qian Liu ◽  
Jian-Chao Fu ◽  
Chi-Xian Lin ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-26
Author(s):  
Puveanthan Nagappan Govendan ◽  
Zefanya Christiani ◽  
Michael Nadhor Nainggolan ◽  
Slamet Raharjo

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


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 425-437
Author(s):  
Foo Y.M. Winnie ◽  
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui ◽  
Kuppusamy Sagathevan ◽  
Naveed A. Khan

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.


Author(s):  
Elvira Mega Androma ◽  
Laela Umi Khasanah

This study were aim to (1) describe the anatomical and histological structures of testicular organ, epididymis, vas deferens, accessory glands, and penis in guinea pig (2) develop learning media in the form of histological slides as well as anatomy atlas of male reproductive organs (3) examine the atlas of reproductive organs of male guinea pig as a source of learning. Slide were made using paraffin method with HE staining. The study revealed histological structure of the five guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) accessory glands, namely ampullary glands, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland, and preputial gland. In addition, guinea pig penis had a baculum on its base. The results of the student response test showed very good category with the percentage of 90,55%. The readability test had very good value from the subject expert (95,71%), media expert (81,66%), peer reviewer (88,07%) and biology teacher (81,51%). Overall, the atlas of the 'Anatomy of Male Reproductive Organs of Guinea Pig' had excellent quality and deserves to be used as a learning resource.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ahmad Herdianto Wicaksono ◽  
Emmanuel Djoko Poetranto ◽  
Tatik Hernawati ◽  
Boedi Setiawan

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.


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