Which species represents the massive end of the lizard size spectrum described?
Answer
Komodo dragon
Lizards exhibit an extreme variation in physical size, ranging from minute to massive. At the smaller extreme is the Dwarf Gecko, which measures roughly half an inch long. Conversely, the largest lizards, which exemplify the massive end of the spectrum, include the monitor lizards. Specifically, the Komodo dragon (*Varanus komodoensis*) is noted for being capable of exceeding ten feet in length and weighing hundreds of pounds. This vast difference in scale necessitates major variations in internal structures, circulatory requirements, and metabolic rates compared to their much smaller relatives.
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