Abstract

JEREZ, Adriana. Structural characteristics of THE Skeleton in Mabuya sp. (Squamata : Scincidae): a comparison with african scincids. Actu Biol [online]. 2012, vol.34, n.97, pp.207-223. ISSN 0304-3584.

To analyze the features of the body plan of Mabuya sp., the structural characteristics of its skeleton are described and compared with other African scincids and are discussed in the context of the evolution of scincids in America and the evolution of body forms in Squamata. The taxon Mabuya sp. exhibits cranial traits that are different from African species, which may represent synapomorphies for the American clade. Even though the skull of Mabuya exhibits characteristics similar to those of lizards with a lacertiform body plan, it also shows incipient transformations towards a serpentiform body plan, which is evidenced by the increase in the number of vertebrae and the decrease in limb size. In Mabuya sp., body elongation, represented by an increase in the number of vertebrae, might be related to viviparity as evidenced by viviparous African species, which would increase the abdominal volume available to support the developing embryos. Therefore, in its evolution from African forms, this feature of the body plan probably underlies the evolution of the set of specializations associated with viviparity within the genus Mabuya, which are unique among reptiles and reach their pinnacle in this clade.

Keywords : bodyplan; Mabuya; Scincidae; skeleton; Squamata.

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