Megaevolutionary dynamics and the timing of evolutionary innovation in reptiles
TR Simões, O Vernygora, MW Caldwell… - Nature …, 2020 - nature.com
The origin of phenotypic diversity among higher clades is one of the most fundamental
topics in evolutionary biology. However, due to methodological challenges, few studies have …
topics in evolutionary biology. However, due to methodological challenges, few studies have …
The squamate tree of life
Squamates (lizards, snakes, and their kin such as amphisbaenians, or “worm lizards”)
represent the world's most diverse clade of terrestrial vertebrates with∼ 11,000 described …
represent the world's most diverse clade of terrestrial vertebrates with∼ 11,000 described …
[HTML][HTML] An illustrated atlas of the vertebral morphology of extant non-caenophidian snakes, with special emphasis on the cloacal and caudal portions of the column
Z Szyndlar, GL Georgalis - Vertebrate Zoology, 2023 - vertebrate-zoology.arphahub.com
We here present a thorough documentation of the vertebral morphology and intracolumnar
variation across non-caenophidian snakes. Our studied sample of multiple individuals …
variation across non-caenophidian snakes. Our studied sample of multiple individuals …
Morphological integration and modularity in the hyperkinetic feeding system of aquatic-foraging snakes
The kinetic skull is a key innovation that allowed snakes to capture, manipulate, and swallow
prey exclusively using their heads using the coordinated movement of eight bones. Despite …
prey exclusively using their heads using the coordinated movement of eight bones. Despite …
Reconstructing the origin and early evolution of the snake brain
Snakes represent one-eighth of terrestrial vertebrate diversity, encompassing various
lifestyles, ecologies, and morphologies. However, the ecological origins and early evolution …
lifestyles, ecologies, and morphologies. However, the ecological origins and early evolution …
The skull of Sanajeh indicus, a Cretaceous snake with an upper temporal bar, and the origin of ophidian wide-gaped feeding
H Zaher, DM Mohabey, FG Grazziotin… - Zoological Journal of …, 2023 - academic.oup.com
Recent phylogenetic analyses differ in their interpretations of the origin and
interrelationships of snakes, resulting in polarized views of snake ecology, habit and …
interrelationships of snakes, resulting in polarized views of snake ecology, habit and …
[HTML][HTML] Cretaceous blind snake from Brazil fills major gap in snake evolution
Blind snakes (Scolecophidia) are minute cryptic snakes that diverged at the base of the
evolutionary radiation of modern snakes. They have a scant fossil record, which dates back …
evolutionary radiation of modern snakes. They have a scant fossil record, which dates back …
Scaling relationships of maximal gape in two species of large invasive snakes, brown treesnakes and Burmese pythons, and implications for maximal prey size
BC Jayne, AL Bamberger, DR Mader… - Integrative …, 2022 - academic.oup.com
Snakes are a phylogenetically diverse (> 3500 species) clade of gape-limited predators that
consume diverse prey and have considerable ontogenetic and interspecific variation in size …
consume diverse prey and have considerable ontogenetic and interspecific variation in size …
A review of non-mosasaurid (dolichosaur and aigialosaur) mosasaurians and their relationships to snakes
Mosasaurians are an extinct clade of aquatic and semiaquatic squamates whose fossils are
found in upper Cretaceous marine rocks globally, with the earliest known forms from the …
found in upper Cretaceous marine rocks globally, with the earliest known forms from the …
Unveiling the elusive: X‐rays bring scolecophidian snakes out of the dark
CJ Bell, JD Daza, EL Stanley… - The Anatomical …, 2021 - Wiley Online Library
Scolecophidian snakes have long posed challenges for scholars interested in elucidating
their anatomy. The importance, and relative paucity, of high‐quality anatomical data …
their anatomy. The importance, and relative paucity, of high‐quality anatomical data …