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Silva FM, Guerra-Fuentes RA, Blackburn DC, Prudente ALC. Embryonic development of the neotropical pit viper Bothrops atrox (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae), with emphasis on pit organ morphogenesis and its evolution in snakes. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:606-623. [PMID: 38157161 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bothrops atrox is a pit viper with a loreal pit organ, and its embryological development remains undescribed. Here, we provide a comprehensive description of the embryology of B. atrox, focusing on the loreal pit organ and cephalic scales. RESULTS We characterized 13 developmental stages of B. atrox based on external features consistent with the embryogenesis of previously described snake species. The loreal pit organ originates from the circumorbital region and migrates to its final position. In Crotalinae, the pit organ first becomes visible at stage 28, whereas in Pythonidae labial, pit organs appear at Stage 35. Pit organs evolved independently three times in Serpentes, encompassing Boidae, Pythonidae, and Crotalinae. Boidae lacks embryological information for pit organs. Furthermore, we observed that head scalation onset occurs at Stage 33 in B. atrox, with fusion of scales surrounding the loreal pit organ. CONCLUSIONS The embryology of pit organs in Pythonidae and Boidae species remains poorly understood. Our detailed embryological descriptions are critical for proposing developmental scenarios for pit organs and guiding future research on these structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Magalhães Silva
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Coordenação de Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará e Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Arturo Guerra-Fuentes
- Faculdade de Ciências Naturais, Campus Universitário do Tocantins-Cametá, Universidade Federal do Pará, Cametá, Brazil
| | - David C Blackburn
- Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ana L Costa Prudente
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Coordenação de Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará e Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil
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2
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Griffing AH, Stanley EL, Paluh DJ. The first report of preovipositional embryonic development in the legless gecko, Lialis burtonis (Gekkota: Pygopodidae). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 38523432 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron H Griffing
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
- Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Edward L Stanley
- Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel J Paluh
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, USA
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3
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Blackburn DG, Stewart JR. Morphological research on amniote eggs and embryos: An introduction and historical retrospective. J Morphol 2021; 282:1024-1046. [PMID: 33393149 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Evolution of the terrestrial egg of amniotes (reptiles, birds, and mammals) is often considered to be one of the most significant events in vertebrate history. Presence of an eggshell, fetal membranes, and a sizeable yolk allowed this egg to develop on land and hatch out well-developed, terrestrial offspring. For centuries, morphologically-based studies have provided valuable information about the eggs of amniotes and the embryos that develop from them. This review explores the history of such investigations, as a contribution to this special issue of Journal of Morphology, titled Developmental Morphology and Evolution of Amniote Eggs and Embryos. Anatomically-based investigations are surveyed from the ancient Greeks through the Scientific Revolution, followed by the 19th and early 20th centuries, with a focus on major findings of historical figures who have contributed significantly to our knowledge. Recent research on various aspects of amniote eggs is summarized, including gastrulation, egg shape and eggshell morphology, eggs of Mesozoic dinosaurs, sauropsid yolk sacs, squamate placentation, embryogenesis, and the phylotypic phase of embryonic development. As documented in this review, studies on amniote eggs and embryos have relied heavily on morphological approaches in order to answer functional and evolutionary questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Blackburn
- Department of Biology and Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - James R Stewart
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
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4
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Strong CRC, Palci A, Caldwell MW. Insights into skull evolution in fossorial snakes, as revealed by the cranial morphology of Atractaspis irregularis (Serpentes: Colubroidea). J Anat 2021; 238:146-172. [PMID: 32815172 PMCID: PMC7755084 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Comparative osteological analyses of extant organisms provide key insight into major evolutionary transitions and phylogenetic hypotheses. This is especially true for snakes, given their unique morphology relative to other squamates and the persistent controversy regarding their evolutionary origins. However, the osteology of several major snake groups remains undescribed, thus hindering efforts to accurately reconstruct the phylogeny of snakes. One such group is the Atractaspididae, a family of fossorial colubroids. We herein present the first detailed description of the atractaspidid skull, based on fully segmented micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans of Atractaspis irregularis. The skull of Atractaspis presents a highly unique morphology influenced by both fossoriality and paedomorphosis. This paedomorphosis is especially evident in the jaws, palate, and suspensorium, the major elements associated with macrostomy (large-gaped feeding in snakes). Comparison to scolecophidians-a group of blind, fossorial, miniaturized snakes-in turn sheds light on current hypotheses of snake phylogeny. Features of both the naso-frontal joint and the morphofunctional system related to macrostomy refute the traditional notion that scolecophidians are fundamentally different from alethinophidians (all other extant snakes). Instead, these features support the controversial hypothesis of scolecophidians as "regressed alethinophidians," in contrast to their traditional placement as the earliest-diverging snake lineage. We propose that Atractaspis and scolecophidians fall along a morphological continuum, characterized by differing degrees of paedomorphosis. Altogether, a combination of heterochrony and miniaturization provides a mechanism for the derivation of the scolecophidian skull from an ancestral fossorial alethinophidian morphotype, exemplified by the nonminiaturized and less extreme paedomorph Atractaspis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Palci
- Earth Sciences SectionSouth Australian MuseumAdelaideSAAustralia,College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSAAustralia
| | - Michael W. Caldwell
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada,Department of Earth and Atmospheric SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
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5
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Jensen B, Christoffels VM. Reptiles as a Model System to Study Heart Development. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a037226. [PMID: 31712265 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a037226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A chambered heart is common to all vertebrates, but reptiles show unparalleled variation in ventricular septation, ranging from almost absent in tuataras to full in crocodilians. Because mammals and birds evolved independently from reptile lineages, studies on reptile development may yield insight into the evolution and development of the full ventricular septum. Compared with reptiles, mammals and birds have evolved several other adaptations, including compact chamber walls and a specialized conduction system. These adaptations appear to have evolved from precursor structures that can be studied in present-day reptiles. The increase in the number of studies on reptile heart development has been greatly facilitated by sequencing of several genomes and the availability of good staging systems. Here, we place reptiles in their phylogenetic context with a focus on features that are primitive when compared with the homologous features of mammals. Further, an outline of major developmental events is given, and variation between reptile species is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjarke Jensen
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent M Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Sandoval MT, Ruiz García JA, Álvarez BB. Intrauterine and post‐ovipositional embryonic development of
Amerotyphlops brongersmianus
(Vanzolini, 1976) (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) from northeastern Argentina. J Morphol 2020; 281:523-535. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Sandoval
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y AgrimensuraUniversidad Nacional del Nordeste Corrientes Argentina
| | - José Augusto Ruiz García
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y AgrimensuraUniversidad Nacional del Nordeste Corrientes Argentina
| | - Blanca Beatriz Álvarez
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y AgrimensuraUniversidad Nacional del Nordeste Corrientes Argentina
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7
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Khannoon ER, Ollonen J, Di-Poï N. Embryonic development of skull bones in the Sahara horned viper (Cerastes cerastes), with new insights into structures related to the basicranium and braincase roof. J Anat 2020; 237:1-19. [PMID: 32242931 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Ontogenetic studies are crucial for understanding functional morphology, origin and adaptation of skulls in vertebrates. However, very few studies have so far released complete embryonic series focusing on skull embryonic development in species showing diverse and extreme cranial morphologies such as snakes. The wide distribution and unique reproductive and ecological behaviors of venomous vipers, including the heterogeneity in breeding and egg incubation periods in oviparous species, make this group an excellent new model for studying the diversity of skull developmental processes in snakes. Here we present the first complete description of osteocranium development in a viperine snake, Cerastes cerastes, using detailed analysis of the ossification pattern of individual bones across different embryonic stages based on high-resolution micro-computed tomography data. Particularly, we describe in detail the development of the laterosphenoid from its dorsal and ventral components, dividing the trigeminal foramen into maxillary and mandibular foramina. Furthermore, our data help clarify some controversy concerning the presence and/or origin of structures related to the snake basicranium and braincase roof. For example, our detailed description of supraoccipital development suggests that this bone derived, at least in part, from the tectum posterius, although the involvement of the tectum synoticum cannot be totally excluded. Similarly, the epiotic centers of supraoccipital ossification are confirmed during braincase development, and the ancestral lacrimal bone primordium is observed as a ventral element at the early stages of prefrontal development. Finally, our embryonic C. cerastes data highlight a plausible asymmetry in snake skull development, mostly occurring in the basicranium region, but further investigations of embryonic samples and viper species would be required to confirm such phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eraqi R Khannoon
- Biology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, Saudi Arabia.,Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt
| | - Joni Ollonen
- Program in Developmental Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nicolas Di-Poï
- Program in Developmental Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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8
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Al Mohammadi AGA, Khannoon ER, Evans SE. The development of the osteocranium in the snake Psammophis sibilans (Serpentes: Lamprophiidae). J Anat 2019; 236:117-131. [PMID: 31475358 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-avian reptiles are good models to investigate structural and developmental differences between amniotes. Investigations of craniofacial development in a complete series of embryos from oviposition up to hatching are still relatively rare. Consideration of a complete series can reveal developmental events that were previously missed, and thus correct or confirm theories about developmental events. The Egyptian Sand snake, Psammophis sibilans, has been a key species in descriptions of the snake skull development. However, published work was based on a limited sample of specimens collected from the wild. Here, we supplement previous descriptions with an illustrated account of skull development in P. sibilans based on a staged series of embryos and histological sections. Our findings largely agree with those of previous authors, although we record differences in developmental timing, confirming the presence of an egg tooth in this species. We add further observations on the enigmatic fenestra X, showing that it closes rather than merging with the prootic notch. Our observations revealed the likely contribution of the tectum posterius to the occipital roof, the presence of an internal carotid foramen (possibly transitory or variable), and the formation of the initial laterosphenoid pillar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameera G A Al Mohammadi
- Biology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eraqi R Khannoon
- Biology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia.,Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt
| | - Susan E Evans
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
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9
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Tokita M, Watanabe H. Embryonic Development of the Japanese Mamushi, Gloydius blomhoffii (Squamata: Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae). CURRENT HERPETOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.5358/hsj.38.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masayoshi Tokita
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2–2–1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba 274–8510
| | - Hiroki Watanabe
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2–2–1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba 274–8510
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10
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Ollonen J, Da Silva FO, Mahlow K, Di-Poï N. Skull Development, Ossification Pattern, and Adult Shape in the Emerging Lizard Model Organism Pogona vitticeps: A Comparative Analysis With Other Squamates. Front Physiol 2018; 9:278. [PMID: 29643813 PMCID: PMC5882870 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The rise of the Evo-Devo field and the development of multidisciplinary research tools at various levels of biological organization have led to a growing interest in researching for new non-model organisms. Squamates (lizards and snakes) are particularly important for understanding fundamental questions about the evolution of vertebrates because of their high diversity and evolutionary innovations and adaptations that portrait a striking body plan change that reached its extreme in snakes. Yet, little is known about the intricate connection between phenotype and genotype in squamates, partly due to limited developmental knowledge and incomplete characterization of embryonic development. Surprisingly, squamate models have received limited attention in comparative developmental studies, and only a few species examined so far can be considered as representative and appropriate model organism for mechanistic Evo-Devo studies. Fortunately, the agamid lizard Pogona vitticeps (central bearded dragon) is one of the most popular, domesticated reptile species with both a well-established history in captivity and key advantages for research, thus forming an ideal laboratory model system and justifying his recent use in reptile biology research. We first report here the complete post-oviposition embryonic development for P. vitticeps based on standardized staging systems and external morphological characters previously defined for squamates. Whereas the overall morphological development follows the general trends observed in other squamates, our comparisons indicate major differences in the developmental sequence of several tissues, including early craniofacial characters. Detailed analysis of both embryonic skull development and adult skull shape, using a comparative approach integrating CT-scans and gene expression studies in P. vitticeps as well as comparative embryology and 3D geometric morphometrics in a large dataset of lizards and snakes, highlights the extreme adult skull shape of P. vitticeps and further indicates that heterochrony has played a key role in the early development and ossification of squamate skull bones. Such detailed studies of embryonic character development, craniofacial patterning, and bone formation are essential for the establishment of well-selected squamate species as Evo-Devo model organisms. We expect that P. vitticeps will continue to emerge as a new attractive model organism for understanding developmental and molecular processes underlying tissue formation, morphology, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joni Ollonen
- Program in Developmental Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Filipe O. Da Silva
- Program in Developmental Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kristin Mahlow
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicolas Di-Poï
- Program in Developmental Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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11
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Rapp Py-Daniel T, Kennedy Soares De-Lima A, Campos Lima F, Pic-Taylor A, Rodrigues Pires Junior O, Sebben A. A Staging Table of Post-Ovipositional Development for the South American Collared LizardTropidurus torquatus(Squamata: Tropiduridae). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2016; 300:277-290. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- tainã Rapp Py-Daniel
- Laboratory of Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy; Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília; Brasília Brazil
| | | | - Fabiano Campos Lima
- Laboratory of Human and Comparative Anatomy; Institute of Biological Sciences. Federal University of Goiás; Jataí Goiás Brazil
| | - Aline Pic-Taylor
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology; Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília; Brasília Brazil
| | | | - Antonio Sebben
- Laboratory of Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy; Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília; Brasília Brazil
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