The cephalic vascular anatomy of three species of sea snakes

Young, Bruce A.

doi:10.1002/jmor.1051960208

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Comparing to published data on skull growth in different snake species, it seems that the overall pattern of skull growth is consistent with those described for other species (Rossman, 1980;Hampton, 2014;Hampton & Kalmus, 2014). However, A. eydouxii is a member of a highly specialised snake group, marine radiation within Hydrophiinae (Sanders et al, 2013), and its skull form differs from its terrestrial relatives (Young, 1987). Unfortunately, there is no data on it close terrestrial relatives to infer how allometric trajectories in skull growth has changed during terrestrial to marine radiation.…”

Section: Allometrysupporting

confidence: 85%

Sexual dimorphism and skull size and shape in the highly specialized snake species,Aipysurus eydouxii(Elapidae: Hydrophiinae)

Borczyk

Paśko

Kusznierz

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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Background Snakes exhibit sexual dimorphism in both head size and shape. Such differences are often attributed to different reproductive roles and feeding habits. We aim to investigate how sexual dimorphism is displayed in the highly specialised fish-egg-eating snake, Aipysurus eydouxii, by analysing two complementary features: body size and skull morphology. Methods We used data on body length, weight, and skull shape from 27 measurements of 116 males and females of A. eydouxii. We investigated both sexual dimorphism and allometric (multivariate and bi-variate) properties of skull growth in the analysed data set. Results We found that although there was female-biased sexual size dimorphism in body length, females were not heavier than males, contrary to what is commonly observed pattern among snakes. Moreover, females tend to possess relatively smaller heads than males. However, we only found very subtle differences in skull shape reflected in nasal width, mandibular fossa, quadrate crest and quadrate length. Discussion We suggest that the feeding specialisation in A. eydouxii does not allow for an increase in body thickness and the size of the head above a certain threshold. Our results may be interpreted as support for prey-size divergence as a factor driving skull dimorphism since such species in which the sexes do not differ in prey size also shows very subtle or no differences in skull morphology.

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Section: Allometrysupporting

confidence: 85%

Sexual dimorphism and skull size and shape in the highly specialized snake species,Aipysurus eydouxii(Elapidae: Hydrophiinae)

Borczyk

Paśko

Kusznierz

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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“…Accordingly, the size of the foramina in the jaws is related to the number of nerve fibres and size of blood vessels that serve the sensory tissue of heat-sensing circumoral epithelium in snakes. In the upper jaw this tissue is innervated by the maxillary and/or ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal, and perfused by branches of the superior maxillary artery, which pass through the maxillary labial foramina in squamates [20,21]. In the lower jaw, this tissue is innervated by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal, and perfused by branches of the mandibular artery, which pass through the mental and anterior surangular foramina in snakes [20].…”

Section: Infrared Organs Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

Exquisitely Preserved Fossil Snakes of Messel: Insight into the Evolution, Biogeography, Habitat Preferences and Sensory Ecology of Early Boas

Scanferla

Smith

2020

Diversity

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Our knowledge of early evolution of snakes is improving, but all that we can infer about the evolution of modern clades of snakes such as boas (Booidea) is still based on isolated bones. Here, we resolve the phylogenetic relationships of Eoconstrictor fischeri comb. nov. and other booids from the early-middle Eocene of Messel (Germany), the best-known fossil snake assemblage yet discovered. Our combined analyses demonstrate an affinity of Eoconstrictor with Neotropical boas, thus entailing a South America-to-Europe dispersal event. Other booid species from Messel are related to different New World clades, reinforcing the cosmopolitan nature of the Messel booid fauna. Our analyses indicate that Eoconstrictor was a terrestrial, medium- to large-bodied snake that bore labial pit organs in the upper jaw, the earliest evidence that the visual system in snakes incorporated the infrared spectrum. Evaluation of the known palaeobiology of Eoconstrictor provides no evidence that pit organs played a role in the predator–prey relations of this stem boid. At the same time, the morphological diversity of Messel booids reflects the occupation of several terrestrial macrohabitats, and even in the earliest booid community the relation between pit organs and body size is similar to that seen in booids today.

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“…Comprehensive anatomical and postmortem guides for terrestrial snakes and sea turtles 57 are available in the literature, however, similar documents are not available for sea snakes outside isolated descriptions of anatomical and histological findings of select anatomical regions (namely sensory organs, venom delivery apparatus or reproductive organs 168,[270][271][272] ). In light of this, there was an obvious need to detail normal sea snake anatomy and describe common pathological conditions that might be encountered during postmortem examination of sea snakes.…”

Section: Aim 4: To Develop a Standardised And Illustrated Guide For Gmentioning

confidence: 99%

An investigation into the stranding of Australian sea snakes

Gillett¹

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Strandings of marine animals are a regular occurrence both on Australian and international beaches and provide an opportunity for gathering data on the anatomy, health, and ecology of many oceandwelling species that might be unattainable otherwise. Analysis of stranding data has revealed many important diseases, anthropogenic injuries (primarily as a result of commercial or recreational fishing and boating) and other potential threats in a number of marine species. As such, stranding information is important to include when evaluating the conservation status of marine species whilst developing processes to mitigate declines. Stranding analyses and scientific reports are readily available for a range of marine species, including cetaceans, pinnipeds, dugong and marine turtles, but have not been previously undertaken in sea snakes.True sea snakes (subfamily Hydrophiinae: Hydrophiini) spend their entire life in the marine environment, as opposed to their amphibious counterparts the sea kraits (genus Laticauda). Sea snake species inhabiting Australia's waters are almost exclusively Hydrophiinae, yet are regularly found beach-washed on Australia's coastline, particularly in Queensland. As such, stranded sea snakes in Australia are likely ill or injured individuals. Despite frequent sea snake strandings, demonstrated population declines in some species and recognition that sea snakes are likely to be bio-indicators of the health of the marine ecosystem, an epidemiological investigation of sea snake strandings has not been conducted.The main objective of this thesis was to help address gaps in the literature about sea snake health, disease and stranding events, with particular focus in south east Queensland, where stranding reports occur most frequently. A comprehensive analysis of information from multiple stranding databases was undertaken to assess: (i) species occurrence, (ii) the cause of strandings (where known), (iii) sex predisposition (where identified), (iv) biometrics, (v) stranding locations, and (vi) times of year when strandings occur. This information was from stranding reports, and was collated to provide a comprehensive assessment of reported sea snake stranding events in Queensland, identifying key 'hot-spots' for stranding observations, seasonal occurrence of strandings, and factors that are likely to influence stranding events. Abnormally high numbers of stranded animals were reported in 1996 and 2009 and this appeared to coincide with times of higher than average rainfall, as well as increased onshore winds and wind speed (Chapter 2).To address the paucity of information in the literature about normal clinical health parameters for sea snakes an antemortem assessment guide was developed, detailing procedures for the clinical ii assessment and diagnostic investigation of sea snakes by veterinarians and researchers (Chapter 3).In addition, the first comprehensive set of haematological and biochemical reference ranges for three species of Australian sea snakes were developed from blood collect...

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The cephalic vascular anatomy of three species of sea snakes

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Sexual dimorphism and skull size and shape in the highly specialized snake species,Aipysurus eydouxii(Elapidae: Hydrophiinae)

Sexual dimorphism and skull size and shape in the highly specialized snake species,Aipysurus eydouxii(Elapidae: Hydrophiinae)

Exquisitely Preserved Fossil Snakes of Messel: Insight into the Evolution, Biogeography, Habitat Preferences and Sensory Ecology of Early Boas

An investigation into the stranding of Australian sea snakes

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