Ancestral Komodo Dragon/Science & Speculation

• Ecological speculations: the Ancestral Komodo Dragon is likely opportunistic predators and probably live a life stay akin to megalania and Komodo Dragon as it also use a venomous bite to kill its prey, this could allow then to prey like Ankylosaurus by biting the underbelly and legs and possibly even Carnotaurus if given the chances but is more likely lay in the middle of terra nova food web, preying on small - mid size animals but being prey to Carnotaurus and allosaurs due to this they hunt mainly at dusk to night or in jungles and heavy wooded areas were the larger predators cant travel like Acceraptors. the frill is likely use a display structures to a attract females, intimidation and to scared off larger predators like Carnotaurus like Chlamydosaurus (Frilled Lizard) and the large ridge running down its back is likely use for thermoregulation.
• The genus that modern Komodo dragons belong to, Varanus (which also includes other species of monitor lizards) is thought to have evolved about 40 million years ago. "Ancestral Komodo dragon" might refer to some other genus in the varanid family, or the broader varanoid superfamily (including the Gila monster) which as discussed here did have some members alive in the Late Cretaceous, such as Estesia. Although not as large as the one seen in Terra Nova, the late Cretaceous varanoid Palaeosaniwa is thought to have reached a length of five to six feet, smaller than the modern Komodo dragon which reaches a length of about ten feet.
• The largest known fossil varanoid was the prehistoric Komodo dragon Megalania, or Varanus priscus. It is only known to have existed fairly recently in the Pleistocene epoch, between 26,000 and 19,000 years ago according to this page. Fossils are incomplete, but comparisons with modern Komodo dragons suggest it might have reached lengths of about 23 feet.
• Although no varanids are known to have been alive 85 million years ago or to have ever lived in South America, it could be assumed that this one is an ancestor of the varanid family in general. As many modern varanids are known to live on isolated islands, we can assume that some varanoids may have migrated to South America, either by a land bridge, by rafting or even by swimming.