Macrostomy is the anatomical feature present in macrostomatan snakes that permits the ingestion of entire prey with high cross-sectional area. It depends on several anatomical traits in the skeleton and soft tissues, of which the elongation of gnathic complex and backward rotation of the quadrate represent crucial skeletal requirements. Here, the relevance of postnatal development of these skull structures and their relationship with macrohabitat and diet are explored. Contrary to the condition present in lizards and basal snakes that occupy underground macrohabitats, elements of the gnathic complex of most macrostomatan snakes that exploit surface macrohabitats display conspicuous elongation during postnatal growth, relative to the rest of...
Viviparous sea snakes are the most rapidly speciating reptiles known, yet the ecological factors und...
Snakes represent one of the most dramatic examples of the evolutionary versatility of the vertebrate...
Body-size is significantly correlated with the number of vertebrae (pleomerism) in multiple vertebra...
Macrostomy is the anatomical feature present in macrostomatan snakes that permits the ingestion of e...
Macrostomatan snakes, one of the most diverse extant clades of squamates, display an impressive arse...
Accurate knowledge of skeletal ontogeny in extant organisms is crucial in understanding important mo...
Snakes are a highly successful group of vertebrates, within great diversity in habitat, diet, and mo...
Relationships between the major lineages of snakes are assessed based on a phylogenetic analysis of ...
<div><p>Snakes are a highly successful group of vertebrates, within great diversity in habitat, diet...
Derived large-mouthed snakes (macrostomatans) possess numerous specializations in their skull and lo...
Bayesian divergence time analyses were used to simultaneously infer the phylogenetic relationships a...
The Macrostomata accounts for more than 85 % of extant snakes and is characterized by increased mobi...
Factors intrinsic and extrinsic to organisms dictate the course of morphological evolution but are s...
Snakes represent one-eighth of terrestrial vertebrate diversity, encompassing various lifestyles, ec...
*Background* The study of convergently acquired adaptations allows fundamental insight into life’s e...
Viviparous sea snakes are the most rapidly speciating reptiles known, yet the ecological factors und...
Snakes represent one of the most dramatic examples of the evolutionary versatility of the vertebrate...
Body-size is significantly correlated with the number of vertebrae (pleomerism) in multiple vertebra...
Macrostomy is the anatomical feature present in macrostomatan snakes that permits the ingestion of e...
Macrostomatan snakes, one of the most diverse extant clades of squamates, display an impressive arse...
Accurate knowledge of skeletal ontogeny in extant organisms is crucial in understanding important mo...
Snakes are a highly successful group of vertebrates, within great diversity in habitat, diet, and mo...
Relationships between the major lineages of snakes are assessed based on a phylogenetic analysis of ...
<div><p>Snakes are a highly successful group of vertebrates, within great diversity in habitat, diet...
Derived large-mouthed snakes (macrostomatans) possess numerous specializations in their skull and lo...
Bayesian divergence time analyses were used to simultaneously infer the phylogenetic relationships a...
The Macrostomata accounts for more than 85 % of extant snakes and is characterized by increased mobi...
Factors intrinsic and extrinsic to organisms dictate the course of morphological evolution but are s...
Snakes represent one-eighth of terrestrial vertebrate diversity, encompassing various lifestyles, ec...
*Background* The study of convergently acquired adaptations allows fundamental insight into life’s e...
Viviparous sea snakes are the most rapidly speciating reptiles known, yet the ecological factors und...
Snakes represent one of the most dramatic examples of the evolutionary versatility of the vertebrate...
Body-size is significantly correlated with the number of vertebrae (pleomerism) in multiple vertebra...