Different selection regimes explain morphological evolution in fossorial lizards
Functional Ecology,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
38(5), С. 1250 - 1264
Опубликована: Март 31, 2024
Abstract
Independent
origins
of
similar
phenotypes
are
ubiquitous
to
the
evolutionary
process
and
evoke
strong
recurrent
environmental
associations.
Snakelike
lizards
evolved
multiple
times
often
portrayed
as
limb‐reduced
body‐elongated
outcomes
from
shared
selection
associated
with
fossoriality.
However,
a
refined
evaluation
including
specific
head
traits
subtle
differences
in
subterranean
microhabitats
unveils
some
degree
uniqueness
even
among
lineages
traditionally
interpreted
phenotypically
similar.
Here,
we
address
regimes
fossorial
accounting
for
burrowing
substrate
emphasizing
shape
addition
body
limbs.
We
assembled
an
ecomorphological
database
comprising
213
species
all
major
lizard
clades,
then
characterized
contemporary
morphological
diversity
modelled
phenotypic
evolution
test
hypothesis
that
fossoriality
encompasses
at
least
two
distinct
regimes.
identified
groups
within
lizards:
moist‐soil
dry‐soil
fossorial.
Both
towards
adaptive
optima
concerning
limb
size.
Despite
uniqueness,
these
also
share
patterns
traits.
Dry‐soil
present
less
variation
than
fossorial,
possibly
due
combination
sets
selective
pressures
ancestry.
Our
study
provides
evidence
often‐interpreted
general
regime
(e.g.
fossoriality)
may
fact
comprise
enough
ecological
functional
elicit
several
associations
despite
overall
convergence
Read
free
Plain
Language
Summary
this
article
on
Journal
blog.
Язык: Английский
Intrapopulational variation in head shape correlates with soil structure heterogeneity in a head‐first burrowing amphisbaenian, Trogonophis wiegmanni
Journal of Zoology,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Март 12, 2025
Abstract
Morphological
traits
of
animals
have
evolved
to
solve
ecological
requirements,
the
optimization
locomotion
in
each
environment
being
one
most
frequent
selective
forces
shaping
morphology.
Amphisbaenians
are
strictly
fossorial
reptiles
that
various
snout
shapes
for
burrowing
head‐first
underground,
yet
evolutionary
and
origins
these
different
morphologies
little
known.
Here,
we
used
a
geometric
morphometric
approach
investigate
head
shape
intrapopulational
variation
round‐snouted
checkerboard
worm
lizard
(
Trogonophis
wiegmanni
).
We
took
2D
photographs
live
North
African
island
population.
At
capture
site,
also
measured
microhabitat
characteristics
soil
compaction,
samples
analyze
physical
structure.
While
detected
no
signal
sexual
dimorphism
overall
disparity
was
low,
found
significant
relationships
between
T.
some
vegetation
soil.
Relatively
more
tapered
snouts
narrower
heads
occurred
sites
with
taller
bushes
soils
containing
higher
amounts
clay
(i.e.
harder
substrates
difficult
excavate).
hypothesise
differences
due
might
be
considered
scenario
under
which
amphisbaenian
initially
evolved.
Язык: Английский
Effect of Soil Properties on Species Richness of Fossorial Squamate Reptiles
Journal of Biogeography,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Март 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.
Язык: Английский
Evolution of fossoriality in microteiid lizards
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
201(3)
Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024
Abstract
Morphology
is
among
the
most
important
traits
influencing
interaction
of
individual
animals
with
their
environments.
Fossoriality
reflects
this
functional
association
between
morphology
and
use
subterranean
habitats
associated
environmental
characteristics.
Lizards
in
families
Gymnophthalmidae
Alopoglossidae
are
model
organisms
to
examine
interplay
fossoriality
because
great
morphological
diversity
exists
species,
including
varying
degrees
body
elongation
limb
reduction,
they
have
a
wide
geographical
distribution
Neotropical
region.
We
analysed
101
microteiid
species
created
an
index
evaluate
degree
fossoriality.
From
index,
we
traced
evolution
these
lizards
assessed
its
primary
correlates.
found
that
evolved
independently
several
lineages,
mainly
high
temperature
low
precipitation,
characteristic
more
arid
sandy
Язык: Английский
The impact of tip age distribution on reconstructing trait evolution using phylogenetic comparative methods
Опубликована: Июль 27, 2024
Collecting
data
for
use
in
constructing
phylogenies
is
a
valuable
but
time-
and
resource-consuming
pursuit.
As
result,
indicators
of
the
potential
value
including
certain
species
phylogeny
priori
could
prove
useful
when
planning
this
stage
research.
Here,
we
used
simulation
approach
to
investigate
whether
there
are
trends
ability
phylogenetic
comparative
methods
recover
correct
model
trait
evolution
based
on
characteristics
phylogeny.
First,
multiple
diversification
rates
simulate
containing
varying
proportions
fossil
extant
tips.
We
then
simulated
single
across
each
using
continuous
models.
compared
fit
incorrect
models
traits.
This
quantitative
evaluation
allows
us
discern
tip
associated
with
identifying
Our
results
indicate
that
inclusion
fossils
can
be
highly
beneficial
reconstructing
histories
(e.g.,
Ornstein-Uhlenbeck
ACDC)
not
others
Brownian
motion).
In
fact,
many
cases,
increasing
proportion
dataset
far
more
beneficial,
perhaps
resource-efficient,
than
number
taxa
dataset.
corroborate
previous
findings
tips
vastly
improve
reconstruction
histories,
also
show
effect
often
stronger
older
fossils.
Язык: Английский
Ecological drivers of jaw morphological evolution in lepidosaurs
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
291(2036)
Опубликована: Дек. 1, 2024
Ecology
is
a
key
driver
of
morphological
evolution
during
adaptive
radiations,
but
alternative
factors
like
phylogeny
and
allometry
can
have
strong
influence
on
morphology.
Lepidosaurs,
the
most
diverse
clade
tetrapods,
including
lizards
snakes,
evolved
remarkable
variety
forms
adapted
to
disparate
ecological
niches,
representing
an
ideal
case
study
understand
drivers
evolution.
Here,
we
quantify
variation
in
lower
jaw
using
three-dimensional
geometric
morphometrics
broad
sample
153
lepidosaur
species.
Our
results
suggest
that
has
significantly
influenced
mandibular
shape
evolution,
snakes
diverged
from
lizard-like
morphology
their
Allometry
diet,
foraging
mode
substrate
also
appear
drive
diversification
forms.
Ecological
groups
differ
patterns
disparity,
convergence
rates
indicating
divergent
evolutionary
mechanisms
are
responsible
for
acquisition
different
diets
habitats.
analyses
support
lepidosaurs
ancestrally
use
jaws
capture
prey,
contrary
traditional
view
favouring
lingual
prehension
as
ancestral.
Specialized
or
ecologically
lineages
show
high
suggesting
innovation
mandible
contributed
spectacular
ecomorphological
lepidosaurs.
Язык: Английский