1 week Ago
New research led by University of Bristol scientists sheds light on how lepidosaurs — the most diverse clade of tetrapods, including lizards and snakes — have evolved remarkably varied jaw shapes, driving their extraordinary ecological success. Lepidosauria is the clade comprising lizards, snakes and the tuatara, and with over 11, 000 species, represents the most speciose group of tetrapods today. Since their origin at more than 240 million years ago, lepidosaurs have diversified into a myriad of sizes and body plans.
Among living species, the range in body size spans three orders of magnitude, as exemplified by the approximately 1.7-cm-long Sphaerodactylus geckos and the approximately 10-m-long green anaconda. Extremes in large body size become even more dramatic when extinct mosasaurs are considered (up to 17 m in length).
Disparity in body form is reflected in the different degrees of body elongation, and reduction or modification of limb elements seen in multiple lineages, with snake-like body plans evolving at least 25 independent times. Similarly, lepidosaurs show a rich variety in skull configurations shaped by the..
. News Staff.
