The evolution of form and function in non-avian reptiles contains numerous examples of innovation and diversity. The Komodo dragon genome is an important resource for understanding the biology of monitor lizards and reptiles worldwide. Together, these evolutionary signatures of adaptation reveal the genetic underpinnings of the unique Komodo dragon sensory and cardiovascular systems, and suggest that selective pressure altered haemostasis genes to help Komodo dragons evade the anticoagulant effects of their own saliva. We also show species-specific expansions of a chemoreceptor gene family related to pheromone and kairomone sensing in V. komodoensis with those of related species, we find evidence of positive selection in pathways related to energy metabolism, cardiovascular homoeostasis, and haemostasis. komodoensis using a hybrid approach of long-range sequencing and single-molecule optical mapping. Here, we sequence the genome of the Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis, the largest extant monitor lizard, and generate a high-resolution de novo chromosome-assigned genome assembly for V. Monitor lizards are unique among ectothermic reptiles in that they have high aerobic capacity and distinctive cardiovascular physiology resembling that of endothermic mammals. Nature Ecology & Evolution volume 3, pages 1241–1252 ( 2019) Cite this article Genome of the Komodo dragon reveals adaptations in the cardiovascular and chemosensory systems of monitor lizards

Comodo dragon