Patterns of girdle shape and their correlates in Australian limb-reduced skinks DOI Creative Commons
Marco Camaiti, Mark N. Hutchinson, Christy A. Hipsley

et al.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2032)

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

The evolution of limb reduction in squamates is a classic example convergence, but the skeletal morphological patterns associated with it are underexplored. To provide insights on biomechanical and developmental consequences transitions to reduction, we use geometric morphometrics examine morphology pectoral pelvic girdles 90 species limb-reduced skinks their fully limbed relatives. Clavicle shapes converge towards an acute anterior bend when forelimbs lost hindlimbs retained—a typical sand-swimmers. This may either indicate functional adaptations locomotion fine substrates, or consequence complete loss. shape limb-bearing elements both (coracoid pelvis) instead closely mirrors becoming more simplified as undulation replaces locomotion. Integration between decreases taxa lacking not hindlimbs, indicating differential selection each girdle response distinct locomotory strategies. However, this pattern becomes less clear considering phylogenetic history, perhaps because limited one specific clade ( Lerista ). We show how demands can induce changes at different levels organismal organization, including external internal structures.

Language: Английский

SquamBase—A database of squamate (Reptilia: Squamata) traits DOI Creative Commons
Shai Meiri

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(4)

Published: Feb. 7, 2024

Abstract Motivation I present a database that contains information on multiple key traits for all 11,744 recognised species of squamates worldwide. The encompasses and reasonably comprehensive picture available public knowledge. description the sources rationale leading to assignment each particular trait state species. hope dataset can serve scientific community, promote research understanding group, comparisons with other taxa, assessment conservation needs. Furthermore, gaps in our knowledge squamate become readily apparent will hopefully lead further study even better Main types variables contained Morphological, ecological, life history, geographical conservation‐related traits. Spatial location Global. Time period Late Holocene recent. Major taxa level measurement Squamata, Software format xlsx.

Language: Английский

Citations

19
Chasing the Rainbow: Decoupled phenotypic and genotypic evolution in New Guinea’s rainbow skinks (Squamata: Scincidae) DOI Open Access

Taylor S. Probst,

Paul B. Frandsen,

Alison S. Whiting

et al.

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5583(2), P. 309 - 327

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

With the advent of molecular data, discovery cryptic species has become commonplace. New Guinea, a region high vertebrate biodiversity and complex geological history, been found to contain immense numbers skink species. We present first phylogenetic analysis Carlia Gray, 1845, its sister genus Lygisaurus de Vis, 1884, across mainland Guinea Solomon Islands. find rainbow skinks exhibit significant genetic divergence with minimal morphological variation our data suggest existence many undescribed Due morphologically nature skinks, we demonstrate efficacy COI gene as “barcode” for difficult determinations. Divergence time biogeographic analyses support four separate dispersal events from Australia ~10–5 mya, most groups arriving in East Papua Composite Terrane (EPCT) dispersing there other terranes islands. Exceptions this pattern were observed Lygisaurus, which dispersed West Papuan portion Craton ~8.4mya, island clade fusca group, Vogelkop peninsula ~4.7mya

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Effect of Soil Properties on Species Richness of Fossorial Squamate Reptiles DOI Creative Commons

Dunxue Chen,

Uri Roll, Shai Meiri

et al.

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 26, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim Species richness varies greatly over geographic gradients. Climate and other above‐ground attributes are the most common variables used to explain animal patterns. However, soil properties may play an important role in shaping of species living underground. Studies have yet comprehensively analyse fossorial squamates' patterns how influence them. We investigated different predictors, including climate, influenced fully‐fossorial, semi‐fossorial, non‐fossorial squamates. Location Global. Taxon Reptilia: Squamata. Methods categorised squamates into non‐fossorial, assessed for each category independently. selected potential climatic factors that could their richness. Then we ordinary least squares regression models with spatially lagged (OLSL) geographically weighted (GWRL) investigate climate on group. Results Fully‐fossorial squamate peaks Africa South America. Semi‐fossorial is highest America Australia. Non‐fossorial exhibit maximum Southeast Asia. was more strongly associated than all groups. Nevertheless, as levels fossoriality increase, become correlates Main Conclusions This study highlights importance incorporating alongside biogeography.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Built for success: Distribution, morphology, ecology and life history of the world's skinks DOI Creative Commons
David G. Chapple, Alex Slavenko, Reid Tingley

et al.

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2023

Abstract In animals, the success of particular lineages can be measured in terms their number species, extent geographic range, breadth habitats and ecological niches, diversity morphological life‐history traits. Here, we review distribution, ecology, morphology life history skinks, a diverse lineage terrestrial vertebrates. We compared key traits between three subfamilies skinks non‐scincid lizards. There are currently 1743 described species skink, which represent 24% global lizard diversity. Since 2010, 16% descriptions have been skinks. The centres skink Australia, New Guinea, southeast Asia, Oceania, Madagascar central Africa. Compared with lizards, larger distributional ranges, but smaller body sizes. Sexual size dimorphism is rare Almost quarter (23%) exhibit limb reduction or loss, just 3% Skinks more likely to viviparous (34% species) non‐scincids (13%), higher clutch/litter sizes than non‐scincids. Although mature later non‐scincids, longevity similar that exhibited by other groups. Most (88%) active foragers, they carnivorous diurnal cathemeral groups, generally lower field temperatures appears both result them hitting upon winning plan capacity regularly deviate from this adapt ecology (e.g. repeated transitions viviparity) prevailing conditions.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Patterns of girdle shape and their correlates in Australian limb-reduced skinks DOI Creative Commons
Marco Camaiti, Mark N. Hutchinson, Christy A. Hipsley

et al.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2032)

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

The evolution of limb reduction in squamates is a classic example convergence, but the skeletal morphological patterns associated with it are underexplored. To provide insights on biomechanical and developmental consequences transitions to reduction, we use geometric morphometrics examine morphology pectoral pelvic girdles 90 species limb-reduced skinks their fully limbed relatives. Clavicle shapes converge towards an acute anterior bend when forelimbs lost hindlimbs retained—a typical sand-swimmers. This may either indicate functional adaptations locomotion fine substrates, or consequence complete loss. shape limb-bearing elements both (coracoid pelvis) instead closely mirrors becoming more simplified as undulation replaces locomotion. Integration between decreases taxa lacking not hindlimbs, indicating differential selection each girdle response distinct locomotory strategies. However, this pattern becomes less clear considering phylogenetic history, perhaps because limited one specific clade ( Lerista ). We show how demands can induce changes at different levels organismal organization, including external internal structures.

Language: Английский

Citations

0