Reproductive Ecology of Komodo Dragons
In 2004, the Komodo Dragon Project continued with many of the research components established in 2003 to understand the demography and ecology of Komodo dragon populations within Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This research included a continuation of the large-scale mark/recapture program which monitors approximately 600 permanently marked dragons across 10 study sites within the Park.
The data collected so far suggests that there are major differences between island populations with respect to many key components of their ecology and demography. In particular, these differences are greatest between the populations inhabiting the two large islands of Komodo and Rinca and the two small islands of Gili Motang and Gili Dasami. For example, the population densities of dragons are three to five times greater on the big islands compared to the small islands and growth rates are considerably faster on the big islands. Yet even between the largest islands there appear to be significant differences in density and population size structure. Overall, such differences appear to be due to variation in prey density and diversity, which is in turn influenced by the landscape of each island.
There is evidence that a reduction in prey has led to both a decrease in population size, and, in particular, a loss of larger adults, presumably males, on the small island of Gili Motang. In an effort to more closely monitor this population, CRES now sponsors weekly patrols, using Komodo National Park rangers. The completion of a ranger post (sponsored by the Zoological Society of San Diego) on the south coast of Rinca will also help in improving terrestrial resource security in the more isolated southern section of the Park.
In 2005, research continues on mark/recapture, female reproductive ecology, and additional specific studies addressing how the landscape of each island shapes the diverstiy and density of prey and, in turn, affects differences among the insular Komodo dragon populations. Capacity-building programs will continue with the sponsoring of graduate fellowships which now involve three students.
