The iconic monitor lizards of Australia, commonly known as goannas, have long been a symbol of the country’s unique wildlife. However, beneath their scaly skin lies an unexpected secret: a hidden layer of bony skin structures known as osteoderms. These structures, which were previously thought to be rare in lizards, are found in nearly half of all lizard species worldwide and may hold the key to understanding how these ancient reptiles not only survived but thrived in one of the world’s harshest environments.

A recent study published in the prestigious Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society has shed new light on the widespread presence of osteoderms in lizards. The research, which was conducted by an international team of scientists from Australia, Europe, and the United States, used cutting-edge micro-CT scanning to examine nearly 2,000 reptile specimens from major museum collections.

“We were astonished to find osteoderms in 29 Australo-Papuan monitor lizard species that had never been documented before,” said Roy Ebel, lead author and researcher at Museums Victoria Research Institute and the Australian National University. “It’s a fivefold increase in known cases among goannas.”

Osteoderms are most commonly associated with crocodiles, armadillos, and even some dinosaurs like Stegosaurus. However, their function has remained something of an evolutionary mystery. While they may provide protection, scientists now suspect that osteoderms may also support heat regulation, mobility, and calcium storage during reproduction.

This new research reveals that osteoderms are far more widespread in lizards than previously thought, occurring in nearly half of all lizard species worldwide – an 85% increase on earlier estimates. The findings have significant implications for our understanding of reptile evolution and the adaptation of these ancient creatures to harsh environments.

At the heart of this discovery lies the power of museum collections. Scientific institutions like Museums Victoria Research Institute play a critical role in preserving biodiversity through time, enabling researchers to study species long after they were collected. Many of the specimens used in this study were decades, and in some cases over 120 years old, but advances in imaging technology enabled scientists to uncover new insights without harming the original material.

“What’s so exciting about this finding is that it reshapes what we thought we knew about reptile evolution,” said Dr Jane Melville, Museums Victoria Research Institute Senior Curator of Terrestrial Vertebrates. “It suggests that these skin bones may have evolved in response to environmental pressures as lizards adapted to Australia’s challenging landscapes.”

The discovery of osteoderms in monitor lizards opens up new questions about how these lizards adapted, survived, and diversified across the continent. This landmark study not only tells a new chapter in the story of Australia’s goannas but provides a powerful new dataset for exploring how skin, structure, and survival have intertwined across millions of years of evolution.

The article highlights groundbreaking research conducted at Edith Cowan University, where scientists have discovered an innovative way to extend the storage life of mangoes by up to 28 days. Led by Dr Mekhala Vithana, the study reveals that dipping mangoes in ozonated water for 10 minutes before cold storage significantly reduces chilling injury and extends shelf life.

Mango lovers rejoice! The research is a game-changer for growers and traders alike, as it reduces food loss during storage and provides a longer market window. With the global demand for fruits and vegetables on the rise, this eco-friendly technology could minimize post-harvest losses of mangoes and reduce waste in Australia.

Traditionally, mangoes are stored at 13 degrees Celsius for up to 14 days, but this temperature is not cold enough to prevent chilling injury. Prolonged storage below 12.5 degrees causes physiological disorders that damage the fruit skin and lead to decreased marketability and significant food waste.

The study tested aqueous ozonation technology on Australia’s most widely produced mango variety, Kensington Pride, and found that dipping the mango in ozonated water for 10 minutes prior to cold storage at 5 degrees Celsius extended shelf life up to 28 days with much less chilling injury. This breakthrough could revolutionize the way we store mangoes and reduce food waste.

Dr Vithana emphasizes that aqueous ozonation is a cost-effective, controlled-on-site technology that can be used in commercial settings. The researchers hope to conduct further studies on other varieties of mangoes to test their responsiveness and achieve further reduction in chilling injury for extended cold storage.

As we continue to explore innovative solutions to reduce food waste, the ozone secret could hold the key to extending mango storage life by 28 days, benefiting both growers and consumers alike.

The Fiji ant plant, Squamellaria, has long been studied for its remarkable ability to form symbiotic relationships with ants. But what makes this relationship truly unique is the way the plant provides separate “condos” for each ant species, preventing conflicts that could arise from competition for resources. Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Durham University in the United Kingdom have made a groundbreaking discovery about the secrets behind this harmonious coexistence.

The study, published in Science, reveals that compartmentalization is the key to mitigating conflicts between unrelated symbionts. By creating separate chambers within its tubers, Squamellaria prevents ant colonies from coming into contact with each other, thereby reducing competition for resources and eliminating deadly conflicts.

“We were able to visualize directly what theory has long predicted – that unrelated partners would conflict by competing for host resources,” said Susanne S. Renner, senior author of the study. “But here we also have a simple, highly effective evolutionary strategy to mitigate these conflicts: compartmentalization.”

The researchers used computed-tomography scanning and 3D modeling to visualize the tubers’ internal structure and understand how the plant enables multiple ant species to live together in harmony. They found that removing the partition walls between the chambers resulted in immediate conflict and high worker mortality, emphasizing the importance of compartmentalization.

This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of symbiotic relationships and the ecology and evolution of species interactions. It highlights the remarkable ability of Squamellaria to adapt to its environment and form mutually beneficial relationships with ants, even when faced with conflicting interests.

The study’s findings also shed light on a long-standing problem in ecological theory – how unrelated partners can form long-term mutualistic relationships despite competing for host resources. By providing separate compartments, Squamellaria has evolved an effective solution to this problem, allowing multiple ant species to coexist peacefully and benefiting from each other’s presence.

In conclusion, the tiny condos of Fiji’s ant plant have unlocked a secret to harmonious coexistence among unrelated symbionts, offering new insights into the complex relationships between species.