Vertebral evolution and ontogenetic allometry: The developmental basis of extreme body shape divergence in microcephalic sea snakes

Evolution & Development
Emma SherrattKate L Sanders

Abstract

Snakes exhibit a diverse array of body shapes despite their characteristically simplified morphology. The most extreme shape changes along the precloacal axis are seen in fully aquatic sea snakes (Hydrophiinae): "microcephalic" sea snakes have tiny heads and dramatically reduced forebody girths that can be less than a third of the hindbody girth. This morphology has evolved repeatedly in sea snakes that specialize in hunting eels in burrows, but its developmental basis has not previously been examined. Here, we infer the developmental mechanisms underlying body shape changes in sea snakes by examining evolutionary patterns of changes in vertebral number and postnatal ontogenetic growth. Our results show that microcephalic species develop their characteristic shape via changes in both the embryonic and postnatal stages. Ontogenetic changes cause the hindbodies of microcephalic species to reach greater sizes relative to their forebodies in adulthood, suggesting heterochronic shifts that may be linked to homeotic effects (axial regionalization). However, microcephalic species also have greater numbers of vertebrae, especially in their forebodies, indicating that somitogenetic effects also contribute to evolutionary changes in body...Continue Reading

References

Jun 5, 2003·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Simon P BlombergAnthony R Ives
Jan 22, 2004·Bioinformatics·Emmanuel ParadisKorbinian Strimmer
Mar 29, 2007·Biology Letters·Jason J Head, P David Polly
Jun 20, 2008·Nature·Céline GomezOlivier Pourquié
May 5, 2009·Developmental Biology·Joost M WolteringMichael K Richardson
Jul 22, 2009·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part B, Molecular and Developmental Evolution·Céline Gomez, Olivier Pourquié
Oct 26, 2011·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Sylvain Gerber, Melanie J Hopkins
Apr 11, 2012·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Philip J Bergmann, Duncan J Irschick
Sep 29, 2012·Evolution & Development·Anna Keyte, Kathleen K Smith
Dec 4, 2012·Current Genomics·Joost M Woltering
Mar 20, 2013·Molecular Ecology·Kate L SandersMichael S Y Lee
Jan 1, 2009·Language Learning and Development : the Official Journal of the Society for Language Development·Daniel J WeissAaron D Mitchel
Apr 3, 2016·Development Genes and Evolution·Christian Peter Klingenberg
Mar 23, 2017·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Patrick ArnoldMartin S Fischer
Oct 28, 2017·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Damien EsquerréJ Scott Keogh
Apr 17, 2018·Royal Society Open Science·Emma SherrattKate L Sanders

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.