Modular lung ventilation in Boa constrictor

Author:

Capano John G.1ORCID,Boback Scott M.2,Weller Hannah I.1,Cieri Robert L.3ORCID,Zwemer Charles F.2,Brainerd Elizabeth L.1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA

2. Department of Biology, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA 17013, USA

3. School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia

Abstract

ABSTRACT The evolution of constriction and of large prey ingestion within snakes are key innovations that may explain the remarkable diversity, distribution and ecological scope of this clade, relative to other elongate vertebrates. However, these behaviors may have simultaneously hindered lung ventilation such that early snakes may have had to circumvent these mechanical constraints before those behaviors could evolve. Here, we demonstrate that Boa constrictor can modulate which specific segments of ribs are used to ventilate the lung in response to physically hindered body wall motions. We show that the modular actuation of specific segments of ribs likely results from active recruitment or quiescence of derived accessory musculature. We hypothesize that constriction and large prey ingestion were unlikely to have evolved without modular lung ventilation because of their interference with lung ventilation, high metabolic demands and reliance on sustained lung convection. This study provides a new perspective on snake evolution and suggests that modular lung ventilation evolved during or prior to constriction and large prey ingestion, facilitating snakes’ remarkable radiation relative to other elongate vertebrates.

Funder

Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology

Sigma Xi

Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation

American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologist

Bushnell Research and Education Fund

National Science Foundation

Publisher

The Company of Biologists

Subject

Insect Science,Molecular Biology,Animal Science and Zoology,Aquatic Science,Physiology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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