Rob
May contain preservatives
- Location
- Solihull, UK
An interesting article in a recent edition of the 'British Herpetological Society' journal, vol 24, no 2, pub 01.04.2014
I've paraphrased the article ...
Apparently zoologists studying the large monitor lizards (Varanus komodoensis) on the Komodo islands of Indonesia noticed a strange phenomenon that occurred with several of the creatures. An infra-red camera system was set up to capture the nocturnal behaviour of the lizards, which, when played back, showed what appeared to be 'flames' issuing from one individual's mouth.
The same video, after being processed into visible light wavelengths, showed a definite very pale blue/green flame plus what appeared to be smoke, not coming from the mouth itself but starting from about 15 centimetres out. It also seemed that the creatures had somehow learned to utilise this effect as a weapon, some males were seen fighting and causing obvious discomfort to each other without any visible signs of physical contact.
After trapping and dissecting one individual, it was discovered that the stomach contents consisted of rotting animal remains ... a rich source of organo-phosphorus compounds. On culturing the bacterial population they found examples of a mutated strain of 'Escheria coli' (EC4115). It was found that in the reducing acidic conditions prevalent in the stomach, the bacteria were capable of producing small amounts of phosphine (PH[SUB]3[/SUB]) gas as a metabolic by-product. Phosphine can spontaneously combust in air at temperatures above about 30[SUP]o[/SUP] Centigrade.
The lizards had apparently learned somehow to hold back the phosphine gas in the gut until a moderately high pressure had been reached then releasing the gas in a concentrated 'burp' which ignited on contact with the oxygen in the air producing a cloud of dense white 'smoke'. The characteristic rotten fish and pungent garlic smell associated with phosphine seems redolent of certain legendary tales.
Chemically:
4PH[SUB]3[/SUB] + 8O[SUB]2[/SUB] = P[SUB]4[/SUB]O[SUB]10[/SUB] (tetra-phosphorus decoxide [smoke]) + 6H[SUB]2[/SUB]O + [evolved heat of reaction].
Additionally, fossil remains from the Pleistocene epoch found in Australia, indicate an extinct sub-species (Megalania prisca) which, according to morphological studies of fossilised remains, may have reached a maximum length of over 30 feet. It is possible that the early aboriginal peoples of Australia may have come in contact with this species before it became extinct.
Imprints found in ancient dried-up mud flats in Mexico indicate the presence of wing-like flaps of skin extending between fore and hind limbs such as occurs in modern so-called 'flying' lizards. These were similar to but much larger than 'Draco volans' which is found in south-east Asia and the rain forests of Nicaragua.
Mesoamerican legends passed down through thousands of years speak of 'Quetzalcoatl', the feathered serpent, bringer of fire.
Do these seemingly unrelated discoveries and folklore from various parts of the ancient world point to a common ancestral source for a certain legendary beast?
The eminent French biologist Christophe Boesch was reported to have said on reading this article ... "Et si vous croyez que, vous allez croire n'importe quoi"
I've paraphrased the article ...
Apparently zoologists studying the large monitor lizards (Varanus komodoensis) on the Komodo islands of Indonesia noticed a strange phenomenon that occurred with several of the creatures. An infra-red camera system was set up to capture the nocturnal behaviour of the lizards, which, when played back, showed what appeared to be 'flames' issuing from one individual's mouth.
The same video, after being processed into visible light wavelengths, showed a definite very pale blue/green flame plus what appeared to be smoke, not coming from the mouth itself but starting from about 15 centimetres out. It also seemed that the creatures had somehow learned to utilise this effect as a weapon, some males were seen fighting and causing obvious discomfort to each other without any visible signs of physical contact.
After trapping and dissecting one individual, it was discovered that the stomach contents consisted of rotting animal remains ... a rich source of organo-phosphorus compounds. On culturing the bacterial population they found examples of a mutated strain of 'Escheria coli' (EC4115). It was found that in the reducing acidic conditions prevalent in the stomach, the bacteria were capable of producing small amounts of phosphine (PH[SUB]3[/SUB]) gas as a metabolic by-product. Phosphine can spontaneously combust in air at temperatures above about 30[SUP]o[/SUP] Centigrade.
The lizards had apparently learned somehow to hold back the phosphine gas in the gut until a moderately high pressure had been reached then releasing the gas in a concentrated 'burp' which ignited on contact with the oxygen in the air producing a cloud of dense white 'smoke'. The characteristic rotten fish and pungent garlic smell associated with phosphine seems redolent of certain legendary tales.
Chemically:
4PH[SUB]3[/SUB] + 8O[SUB]2[/SUB] = P[SUB]4[/SUB]O[SUB]10[/SUB] (tetra-phosphorus decoxide [smoke]) + 6H[SUB]2[/SUB]O + [evolved heat of reaction].
Additionally, fossil remains from the Pleistocene epoch found in Australia, indicate an extinct sub-species (Megalania prisca) which, according to morphological studies of fossilised remains, may have reached a maximum length of over 30 feet. It is possible that the early aboriginal peoples of Australia may have come in contact with this species before it became extinct.
Imprints found in ancient dried-up mud flats in Mexico indicate the presence of wing-like flaps of skin extending between fore and hind limbs such as occurs in modern so-called 'flying' lizards. These were similar to but much larger than 'Draco volans' which is found in south-east Asia and the rain forests of Nicaragua.
Mesoamerican legends passed down through thousands of years speak of 'Quetzalcoatl', the feathered serpent, bringer of fire.
Do these seemingly unrelated discoveries and folklore from various parts of the ancient world point to a common ancestral source for a certain legendary beast?
The eminent French biologist Christophe Boesch was reported to have said on reading this article ... "Et si vous croyez que, vous allez croire n'importe quoi"
