Studi Karakteristik Anatomi Skelet Kepala Biawak Air (Varanus salvator)

Abstract

The study was aimed to observe the characteristics of cranial skeleton of Varanus salvator, compared to its function and behavior. This study was conducted by observing speciment of water monitor lizards cranial skeleton and the observation was compared with related litelatures. The results showed that the head of water monitor lizard had 12 cm in length, 7 cm in width and 5 cm in height. Water monitor lizard have a marginal pleurodont teeth that grows on the side of the jaw with one tooth replacement on each marginal tooth. Relationships between bone of the head very closely and a few bones like os lacrimale, os temporale and os postorbitale grows attached to each other with the surrounding bones. Pars splanchnocranii thrives and elongated, and os supraorbitale found in this area. Columella cranii found in the pars neurocranii and os squadratum well developed in this area. Canalis interincisivum found on the hard palate that connects the oral cavity and the nasal cavity. This channel is functionally compared to the olfactory system because it associated with organon jacobson.