Discovery of New Bone-Digesting Cell Type in Burmese Pythons

In a groundbreaking study presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium, on July 9, 2025, researchers have identified a previously unknown cell type in the intestinal lining of Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus). This discovery sheds light on the unique digestive capabilities of these reptiles, which consume their prey whole, including bones, a feat that has long puzzled scientists.

Dr. Jehan-Hervé Lignot, a Professor at the University of Montpellier, led the research team that conducted the study. According to Dr. Lignot, "We wanted to identify how they were able to process and limit this huge absorption of calcium through the intestinal wall." The investigation involved analyzing enterocytes, the intestinal lining cells of the pythons, using advanced microscopy techniques alongside blood calcium and hormone measurements.

The findings revealed a new cell type responsible for producing large particles composed of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. As Dr. Lignot explains, "A morphological analysis of the python epithelium revealed specific particles that I'd never seen in other vertebrates." These particles were located within the crypts of specialized cells that differ significantly from traditional intestinal cells.

In their experiments, the researchers fed pythons three different diets: a normal diet consisting of whole rodents, a low-calcium diet featuring boneless prey, and a calcium-rich diet supplemented with injections of calcium. The results demonstrated that when the pythons consumed boneless prey, the production of calcium and phosphorus-rich particles ceased. However, when fed either a whole rodent or the calcium-supplemented diet, the new cell type's crypts filled with large particles, confirming that the skeletons of consumed animals were entirely dissolved within the pythons' bodies.

This new specialized bone-digesting cell has now been identified not only in several python and boa species but also in the Gila monster, a venomous lizard found in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Dr. Lignot notes that other carnivorous species, such as marine predators that eat bony fish or birds like the bearded vulture that consume bones, might have similar adaptations.

The implications of this research extend beyond herpetology. Understanding how these cells function could provide insights into the dietary needs of other carnivorous animals and their evolutionary adaptations. As Dr. Lignot concludes, "This study opens new avenues for research into the digestive capabilities of various carnivores. The mechanisms we uncover here could have broader implications for understanding nutrient absorption in similar species."

The discovery of this unique cell type not only enriches our understanding of reptilian biology but also raises questions regarding the evolutionary pressures that have shaped the dietary habits of carnivorous species. Future studies may further explore these adaptations and their relevance in the context of environmental changes and dietary shifts among predators.

### Conclusion This remarkable research highlights the intricate physiological adaptations of Burmese pythons, paving the way for future investigations into the complex interactions between diet, digestion, and evolution across various species. As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of animal biology, the findings from this study may ultimately contribute to a greater understanding of ecological dynamics and the evolutionary strategies employed by carnivorous animals worldwide.