1
|
Title PO, Singhal S, Grundler MC, Costa GC, Pyron RA, Colston TJ, Grundler MR, Prates I, Stepanova N, Jones MEH, Cavalcanti LBQ, Colli GR, Di-Poï N, Donnellan SC, Moritz C, Mesquita DO, Pianka ER, Smith SA, Vitt LJ, Rabosky DL. The macroevolutionary singularity of snakes. Science 2024; 383:918-923. [PMID: 38386744 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh2449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Snakes and lizards (Squamata) represent a third of terrestrial vertebrates and exhibit spectacular innovations in locomotion, feeding, and sensory processing. However, the evolutionary drivers of this radiation remain poorly known. We infer potential causes and ultimate consequences of squamate macroevolution by combining individual-based natural history observations (>60,000 animals) with a comprehensive time-calibrated phylogeny that we anchored with genomic data (5400 loci) from 1018 species. Due to shifts in the dynamics of speciation and phenotypic evolution, snakes have transformed the trophic structure of animal communities through the recurrent origin and diversification of specialized predatory strategies. Squamate biodiversity reflects a legacy of singular events that occurred during the early history of snakes and reveals the impact of historical contingency on vertebrate biodiversity.
Collapse
|
2
|
Marshall BM, Freed P, Vitt LJ, Bernardo P, Vogel G, Lotzkat S, Franzen M, Hallermann J, Sage RD, Bush B, Duarte MR, Avila LJ, Jandzik D, Klusmeyer B, Maryan B, Hošek J, Uetz P. An inventory of online reptile images. Zootaxa 2020; 4896:zootaxa.4896.2.6. [PMID: 33756866 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4896.2.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
No central online repository exists for the collection of animal images; hence it remains unclear how extensively species have been illustrated in the published literature or online. Here we compiled a list of more than 8000 reptile species (out of 11,341) that have photos in one of six popular online repositories, namely iNaturalist (6,349 species), the Reptile Database (5,144), Flickr (4,386), CalPhotos (3,071), Wikimedia (2,952), and Herpmapper (2,571). These sites have compiled over one million reptile photos, with some species represented by tens of thousands of images. Despite the number of images, many species have only one or a few images. This suggests that a considerable fraction of morphological and geographic variation is under documented or difficult to access. We highlight prominent gaps in amphisbaenians, lizards, and snakes, with geographic hotspots for species without images in Central Africa, Pacific Islands, and the Andes Mountains. We present a list of ~3,000 species without photos in any of the six databases and ask the community to fill the gaps by depositing images on one of these sites (preferably with minimal copyright restrictions).
Collapse
|
3
|
Pianka ER, Vitt LJ, Pelegrin N, Fitzgerald DB, Winemiller KO. Toward a Periodic Table of Niches, or Exploring the Lizard Niche Hypervolume. Am Nat 2017; 190:601-616. [DOI: 10.1086/693781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
4
|
Mesquita DO, Costa GC, Colli GR, Costa TB, Shepard DB, Vitt LJ, Pianka ER. Life-History Patterns of Lizards of the World. Am Nat 2016; 187:689-705. [DOI: 10.1086/686055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
5
|
Mesquita DO, Faria RG, Colli GR, Vitt LJ, Pianka ER. Lizard life-history strategies. AUSTRAL ECOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
6
|
Mesquita DO, Colli GR, Pantoja DL, Shepard DB, C. Vieira GH, Vitt LJ. Juxtaposition and Disturbance: Disentangling the Determinants of Lizard Community Structure. Biotropica 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
7
|
Mesquita DO, Colli GR, Costa GC, Costa TB, Shepard DB, Vitt LJ, Pianka ER. Life history data of lizards of the world. Ecology 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/14-1453.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
8
|
Vitt LJ. Geckos: The Animal Answer Guide. Geckos: The Animal Answer Guide A.M. Bauer. 2013. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 9781421408521. 159 p. $50.00 (hardcover). COPEIA 2013. [DOI: 10.1643/ot-13-034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
9
|
Jadin RC, Burbrink FT, Rivas GA, Vitt LJ, Barrio-Amorós CL, Guralnick RP. Finding arboreal snakes in an evolutionary tree: phylogenetic placement and systematic revision of the Neotropical birdsnakes. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
10
|
Goldberg SR, Bursey CR, Vitt LJ, Arreola J. Intestinal Helminths of the Wandering Grass Lizard,Cnemidophorus gramivagus(Squamata: Teiidae), from Brazil. COMP PARASITOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1654/4645.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
11
|
|
12
|
Goldberg SR, Bursey CR, Vitt LJ. Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Four Species of Gonatodes (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from Central and South America. COMP PARASITOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1654/4587.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
13
|
Bursey CR, Goldberg SR, Vitt LJ. Helminths of Cnemidophorus ruthveni (Squamata: Teiidae) from Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, with description of a new species of Alaeuris (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae). J Parasitol 2012; 98:795-800. [PMID: 22401961 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3040.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Alaeuris rinconensis n. sp. (Oxyuroidea, Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of the Bonaire whiptail lizard, Cnemidophorus ruthveni, is described and illustrated. Alaeuris rinconensis n. sp. represents the 13th Neotropical species assigned to the genus. It is most similar to Alaeuris iguanae in that only these 2 Neotropical species have postbulbar excretory pores; in A. iguanae, a tail filament is absent; in A. rinconensis, a tail filament is present. Two additional helminth species were found, i.e., the cestode Oochoristica iguanae and a nematode, Ozolaimus megatyphlon. Cnemidoporus ruthveni represents a new host record for the latter 2 species.
Collapse
|
14
|
Bursey CR, Goldberg SR, Telford SR, Vitt LJ. Metazoan Endoparasites of 13 Species of Central American Anoles (Sauria: Polychrotidae: Anolis) with a Review of the Helminth Communities of Caribbean, Mexican, North American, and South American Anoles. COMP PARASITOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1654/4530.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
15
|
Gamble T, Daza JD, Colli GR, Vitt LJ, Bauer AM. A new genus of miniaturized and pug-nosed gecko from South America (Sphaerodactylidae: Gekkota). Zool J Linn Soc 2011; 163:1244-1266. [PMID: 22125341 PMCID: PMC3223738 DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00741.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Sphaerodactyl geckos comprise five genera distributed across Central and South America and the Caribbean. We estimated phylogenetic relationships among sphaerodactyl genera using both separate and combined analyses of seven nuclear genes. Relationships among genera were incongruent at different loci and phylogenies were characterized by short, in some cases zero length, internal branches and poor phylogenetic support at most nodes. We recovered a polyphyletic Coleodactylus, with Coleodactylus amazonicus being deeply divergent from the remaining Coleodactylus species sampled. The C. amazonicus lineage possessed unique codon deletions in the genes PTPN12 and RBMX while the remaining Coleodactylus species had unique codon deletions in RAG1. Topology tests could not reject a monophyletic Coleodactylus, but we show that short internal branch lengths decreased the accuracy of topology tests because there were not enough data along short branches to support one phylogenetic hypothesis over another. Morphological data corroborated results of the molecular phylogeny, with Coleodactylus exhibiting substantial morphological heterogeneity. We identified a suite of unique craniofacial features that differentiate C. amazonicus not only from other Coleodactylus species, but also from all other geckos. We describe this novel sphaerodactyl lineage as a new genus, Chatogekko gen. nov. We present a detailed osteology of Chatogekko, characterizing osteological correlates of miniaturization that provide a framework for future studies in sphaerodactyl systematics and biology.
Collapse
|
16
|
Braun JK, Vitt LJ, Caldwell JP, Mares MA, Revelez MA. Mammals from Le Flore County, Oklahoma. SOUTHWEST NAT 2011. [DOI: 10.1894/n04-rts-15.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
17
|
Gamble T, Bauer AM, Colli GR, Greenbaum E, Jackman TR, Vitt LJ, Simons AM. Coming to America: multiple origins of New World geckos. J Evol Biol 2011; 24:231-44. [PMID: 21126276 PMCID: PMC3075428 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.02184.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Geckos in the Western Hemisphere provide an excellent model to study faunal assembly at a continental scale. We generated a time-calibrated phylogeny, including exemplars of all New World gecko genera, to produce a biogeographical scenario for the New World geckos. Patterns of New World gecko origins are consistent with almost every biogeographical scenario utilized by a terrestrial vertebrate with different New World lineages showing evidence of vicariance, dispersal via temporary land bridge, overseas dispersal or anthropogenic introductions. We also recovered a strong relationship between clade age and species diversity, with older New World lineages having more species than more recently arrived lineages. Our data provide the first phylogenetic hypothesis for all New World geckos and highlight the intricate origins and ongoing organization of continental faunas. The phylogenetic and biogeographical hypotheses presented here provide an historical framework to further pursue research on the diversification and assembly of the New World herpetofauna.
Collapse
|
18
|
Pyron RA, Burbrink FT, Colli GR, de Oca ANM, Vitt LJ, Kuczynski CA, Wiens JJ. The phylogeny of advanced snakes (Colubroidea), with discovery of a new subfamily and comparison of support methods for likelihood trees. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2010; 58:329-42. [PMID: 21074626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2010.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2010] [Revised: 10/28/2010] [Accepted: 11/07/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The superfamily Colubroidea (> 2500 species) includes the majority of snake species and is one of the most conspicuous and well-known radiations of terrestrial vertebrates. However, many aspects of the phylogeny of the group remain contentious, and dozens of genera have yet to be included in molecular phylogenetic analyses. We present a new, large-scale, likelihood-based phylogeny for the colubroids, including 761 species sampled for up to five genes: cytochrome b (93% of 761 species sampled), ND4 (69%), ND2 (28%), c-mos (54%), and RAG-1 (13%), totaling up to 5814bp per species. We also compare likelihood bootstrapping and a recently proposed ultra-fast measure of branch support (Shimodaira-Hasegawa-like [SHL] approximate likelihood ratio), and find that the SHL test shows strong support for several clades that were weakly-supported by bootstrapping in this or previous analyses (e.g., Dipsadinae, Lamprophiidae). We find that SHL values are positively related to branch lengths, but show stronger support for shorter branches than bootstrapping. Despite extensive missing data for many taxa (mean=67% per species), neither bootstrap nor SHL support values for terminal species are related to their incompleteness, and that most highly incomplete taxa are placed in the expected families from previous taxonomy, typically with very strong support. The phylogeny indicates that the Neotropical colubrine genus Scaphiodontophis represents an unexpectedly ancient lineage within Colubridae. We present a revised higher-level classification of Colubroidea, which includes a new subfamily for Scaphiodontophis (Scaphiodontophiinae). Our study provides the most comprehensive phylogeny of Colubroidea to date, and suggests that SHL values may provide a useful complement to bootstrapping for estimating support on likelihood-based trees.
Collapse
|
19
|
Vitt LJ. Lizards Revisited. Bioscience 2010. [DOI: 10.1525/bio.2010.60.8.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
20
|
Pechmann JH, Scott DE, Semlitsch RD, Caldwell JP, Vitt LJ, Gibbons JW. Declining amphibian populations: the problem of separating human impacts from natural fluctuations. Science 2010; 253:892-5. [PMID: 17751826 DOI: 10.1126/science.253.5022.892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Reports of declining amphibian populations in many parts of the world are numerous, but supporting long-term census data are generally unavailable. Census data from 1979 to 1990 for three salamander species and one frog species at a breeding pond in South Carolina showed fluctuations of substantial magnitude in both the size of breeding populations and in recruitment of juveniles. Breeding population sizes exhibited no overall trend in three species and increased in the fourth. Recent droughts account satisfactorily for an increase in recruitment failures. These data illustrate that to distinguish between natural population fluctuations and declines with anthropogenic causes may require long-term studies.
Collapse
|
21
|
Goldberg SR, Bursey CR, Vitt LJ. Helminths from Three Species of Anoles: The Humble Anole, Anolis humilis; the Border Anole, Anolis limifrons; and the Lion Anole, Anolis lionotus (Squamata: Polychrotidae), from Nicaragua. COMP PARASITOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1654/4424.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
22
|
Blackburn DG, Vitt LJ, Beuchat CA. Eutherian-like reproductive specializations in a viviparous reptile. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 81:4860-3. [PMID: 16593499 PMCID: PMC391591 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.81.15.4860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The viviparous Brazilian scincid lizard Mabuya heathi exhibits a suite of reproductive specializations widely believed to be confined to the eutherian mammals. This skink ovulates the smallest known reptilian egg ( approximately 1.0 mm in diameter). Placental transport accounts for >99% of the dry mass of the periparturient fetus, representing a degree of placentotrophy proportionately greater than that reported in any other non-mammalian vertebrate. Placental morphology and the timing of fetal growth implicate the chorioallantoic placenta in maternal-fetal nutrient transfer. The yolk sac placenta regresses prior to any major increase in embryonic dry mass. Precocial gonadal maturation and postponement of reproductive investment until well after ovulation enables females to become pregnant at 3-4 months of age, long before attainment of full adult body size.
Collapse
|
23
|
Cooper WE, Vitt LJ. Ethological Isolation, Sexual Behavior and Pheromones in the Fasciatus Species Group of the Lizard Genus Eumeces. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1987.tb00664.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
24
|
Cooper WE, Vitt LJ. Blue Tails and Autotomy: Enhancement of Predation Avoidance in Juvenile Skinks. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1985.tb00518.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
25
|
Cooper WE, Vitt LJ. Tracking of Female Conspecific Odor Trails by Male Broad-headed Skinks (Eumeces laticeps). Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1986.tb00587.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|