Modification of vertebral regions explains heart position in arboreal colubrids (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Author:

Nash-Hahn Tamika12ORCID,Stepanova Natasha3,Davis Rabosky Alison R3,Sherratt Emma12ORCID

Affiliation:

1. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide , Adelaide, 5005, South Australia , Australia

2. South Australian Museum , North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, South Australia , Australia

3. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology & Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan , 1105 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, 48109, Michigan , USA

Abstract

Abstract Recent research into the snake vertebral column has highlighted the importance of considering regionalization and its implications for the life history of snakes. Our research delves into the distinctions in vertebral column morphology and regionalization within the snake family Colubridae, comparing arboreal and terrestrial species. Our results provide significant support for dissociation between two pre-cloacal regions: the ‘pre-atrial’ (anterior to heart) and the ‘post-atrial’ (posterior to heart). Furthermore, the two ecological groups display distinct proportional compositions between the two pre-cloacal regions and the one post-cloacal region (caudal); arboreal species tend to possess a higher proportion of caudal vertebrae, whereas terrestrial species exhibit a higher proportion of post-atrial vertebrae. Our study reveals that the axial morphology of arboreal species is distinct from that of terrestrial species; however, this was not attributable to a convergent evolution process. By estimating the evolutionary history of vertebral number in each region between the ecological groups, we find each region has a unique pattern, further highlighting evolutionary disassociation between the regions. This study adds to the growing evidence on regionalization of the pre-cloacal snake vertebral column and underscores the importance in continuing to develop our understanding of snake evolution.

Funder

Australian Research Council

ARC Future Fellowship

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

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