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Maliuk A, Marghoub A, Williams CJA, Stanley E, Kéver L, Vickaryous M, Herrel A, Evans SE, Moazen M. Comparative analysis of osteoderms across the lizard body. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 38396371 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Osteoderms (ODs) are mineralized tissue embedded within the skin and are particularly common in reptiles. They are generally thought to form a protective layer between the soft tissues of the animal and potential external threats, although other functions have been proposed. The aim of this study was to characterize OD variation across the lizard body. Adults of three lizard species were chosen for this study. After whole body CT scanning of each lizard, single ODs were extracted from 10 different anatomical regions, CT scanned, and characterized using sectioning and nanoindentation. Morphological analysis and material characterization revealed considerable diversity in OD structure across the species investigated. The scincid Tiliqua gigas was the only studied species in which ODs had a similar external morphology across the head and body. Greater osteoderm diversity was found in the gerrhosaurid Broadleysaurus major and the scincid Tribolonotus novaeguineae. Dense capping tissue, like that reported for Heloderma, was found in only one of the three species examined, B. major. Osteoderm structure can be surprisingly complex and variable, both among related taxa, and across the body of individual animals. This raises many questions about OD function but also about the genetic and developmental factors controlling OD shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Maliuk
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Arsalan Marghoub
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Catherine J A Williams
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Edward Stanley
- Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Loïc Kéver
- Département Adaptations du Vivant, UMR7179 CNRS/MNHN, Paris, France
| | - Matthew Vickaryous
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony Herrel
- Département Adaptations du Vivant, UMR7179 CNRS/MNHN, Paris, France
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Morphology of Vertebrates, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Naturhistorisches Museum Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Susan E Evans
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mehran Moazen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
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Smith KT, Bhullar BAS, Bloch JI. New Diminutive Eocene Lizard Reveals High K-Pg Survivorship and Taxonomic Diversity of Stem Xenosaurs in North America. AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES 2022. [DOI: 10.1206/3986.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Krister T. Smith
- Department of Messel Research and Mammalogy, Senckenberg Research Institute, and Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute for Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bhart-Anjan S. Bhullar
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; and Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York
| | - Jonathan I. Bloch
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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3
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Williams C, Kirby A, Marghoub A, Kéver L, Ostashevskaya-Gohstand S, Bertazzo S, Moazen M, Abzhanov A, Herrel A, Evans SE, Vickaryous M. A review of the osteoderms of lizards (Reptilia: Squamata). Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:1-19. [PMID: 34397141 PMCID: PMC9292694 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Osteoderms are mineralised structures consisting mainly of calcium phosphate and collagen. They form directly within the skin, with or without physical contact with the skeleton. Osteoderms, in some form, may be primitive for tetrapods as a whole, and are found in representatives of most major living lineages including turtles, crocodilians, lizards, armadillos, and some frogs, as well as extinct taxa ranging from early tetrapods to dinosaurs. However, their distribution in time and space raises questions about their evolution and homology in individual groups. Among lizards and their relatives, osteoderms may be completely absent; present only on the head or dorsum; or present all over the body in one of several arrangements, including non-overlapping mineralised clusters, a continuous covering of overlapping plates, or as spicular mineralisations that thicken with age. This diversity makes lizards an excellent focal group in which to study osteoderm structure, function, development and evolution. In the past, the focus of researchers was primarily on the histological structure and/or the gross anatomy of individual osteoderms in a limited sample of taxa. Those studies demonstrated that lizard osteoderms are sometimes two-layered structures, with a vitreous, avascular layer just below the epidermis and a deeper internal layer with abundant collagen within the deep dermis. However, there is considerable variation on this model, in terms of the arrangement of collagen fibres, presence of extra tissues, and/or a cancellous bone core bordered by cortices. Moreover, there is a lack of consensus on the contribution, if any, of osteoblasts in osteoderm development, despite research describing patterns of resorption and replacement that would suggest both osteoclast and osteoblast involvement. Key to this is information on development, but our understanding of the genetic and skeletogenic processes involved in osteoderm development and patterning remains minimal. The most common proposition for the presence of osteoderms is that they provide a protective armour. However, the large morphological and distributional diversity in lizard osteoderms raises the possibility that they may have other roles such as biomechanical reinforcement in response to ecological or functional constraints. If lizard osteoderms are primarily for defence, whether against predators or conspecifics, then this 'bony armour' might be predicted to have different structural and/or mechanical properties compared to other hard tissues (generally intended for support and locomotion). The cellular and biomineralisation mechanisms by which osteoderms are formed could also be different from those of other hard tissues, as reflected in their material composition and nanostructure. Material properties, especially the combination of malleability and resistance to impact, are of interest to the biomimetics and bioinspired material communities in the development of protective clothing and body armour. Currently, the literature on osteoderms is patchy and is distributed across a wide range of journals. Herein we present a synthesis of current knowledge on lizard osteoderm evolution and distribution, micro- and macrostructure, development, and function, with a view to stimulating further work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Williams
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.,Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114-116, Aarhus C, DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Alexander Kirby
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Arsalan Marghoub
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, U.K
| | - Loïc Kéver
- Département Adaptations du Vivant, UMR 7179 MECADEV C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N., Bâtiment d'Anatomie Comparée, 55 rue Buffon, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Sonya Ostashevskaya-Gohstand
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, U.K
| | - Sergio Bertazzo
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Mehran Moazen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, U.K
| | - Arkhat Abzhanov
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, U.K
| | - Anthony Herrel
- Département Adaptations du Vivant, UMR 7179 MECADEV C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N., Bâtiment d'Anatomie Comparée, 55 rue Buffon, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Susan E Evans
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Matt Vickaryous
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
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Schucht PJ, Rühr PT, Geier B, Glaw F, Lambertz M. Armored with skin and bone: A combined histological and
μCT
‐study of the exceptional integument of the
Antsingy
leaf chameleon
Brookesia perarmata
(Angel, 1933). J Morphol 2020; 281:754-764. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pia J. Schucht
- Institut für ZoologieRheinische Friedrich‐Wilhelms‐Universität Bonn, Poppelsdorfer Schloss Bonn Germany
| | - Peter T. Rühr
- AG Morphologische DynamikenInstitut für Zoologie, Biozentrum, Universität zu Köln Köln Germany
- Zentrum für Molekulare BiodiversitätsforschungZoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig Bonn Germany
| | - Benedikt Geier
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology Bremen Germany
| | - Frank Glaw
- Sektion HerpetologieZoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM‐SNSB) Munich Germany
| | - Markus Lambertz
- Institut für ZoologieRheinische Friedrich‐Wilhelms‐Universität Bonn, Poppelsdorfer Schloss Bonn Germany
- Sektion HerpetologieZoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig Bonn Germany
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Laver RJ, Morales CH, Heinicke MP, Gamble T, Longoria K, Bauer AM, Daza JD. The development of cephalic armor in the tokay gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae:
Gekko gecko
). J Morphol 2019; 281:213-228. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J. Laver
- Research School of Biology Australian National University Canberra Australia
| | - Cristian H. Morales
- Department of Biological Sciences Sam Houston State University Huntsville Texas
- Department of Biology University of Texas at Arlington Arlington Texas
| | - Matthew P. Heinicke
- Department of Natural Sciences University of Michigan‐Dearborn Dearborn Michigan
| | - Tony Gamble
- Department of Biological Sciences Marquette University Milwaukee Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Public Museum Milwaukee Wisconsin
- Bell Museum of Natural History University of Minnesota Saint Paul Minnesota
| | - Kristin Longoria
- Department of Biological Sciences Sam Houston State University Huntsville Texas
| | - Aaron M. Bauer
- Department of Biology Villanova University Villanova Pennsylvania
| | - Juan D. Daza
- Department of Biological Sciences Sam Houston State University Huntsville Texas
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6
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Dubansky BH, Dubansky BD. Natural development of dermal ectopic bone in the american alligator (Alligator mississippiensis
) resembles heterotopic ossification disorders in humans. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2017; 301:56-76. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brooke H. Dubansky
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Public Health; Tarleton State University; 1501 Enderly Place, Fort Worth Texas
| | - Benjamin D. Dubansky
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of North Texas, 1511 W. Sycamore St; Denton Texas
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7
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Paluh DJ, Griffing AH, Bauer AM. Sheddable armour: identification of osteoderms in the integument of Geckolepis maculata (Gekkota). AFR J HERPETOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2017.1281172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Paluh
- Villanova University, Department of Biology, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
- Department of Biology and Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Aaron H. Griffing
- Villanova University, Department of Biology, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
- Marquette University, Department of Biological Sciences, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - Aaron M. Bauer
- Villanova University, Department of Biology, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
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8
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Vickaryous MK, Meldrum G, Russell AP. Armored geckos: A histological investigation of osteoderm development in Tarentola (Phyllodactylidae) and Gekko (Gekkonidae) with comments on their regeneration and inferred function. J Morphol 2015; 276:1345-57. [PMID: 26248595 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Osteoderms are bone-rich organs found in the dermis of many scleroglossan lizards sensu lato, but are only known for two genera of gekkotans (geckos): Tarentola and Gekko. Here, we investigate their sequence of appearance, mode of development, structural diversity and ability to regenerate following tail loss. Osteoderms were present in all species of Tarentola sampled (Tarentola annularis, T. mauritanica, T. americana, T. crombei, T. chazaliae) as well as Gekko gecko, but not G. smithii. Gekkotan osteoderms first appear within the integument dorsal to the frontal bone or within the supraocular scales. They then manifest as mineralized structures in other positions across the head. In Tarentola and G. gecko, discontinuous clusters subsequently form dorsal to the pelvis/base of the tail, and then dorsal to the pectoral apparatus. Gekkotan osteoderm formation begins once the dermis is fully formed. Early bone deposition appears to involve populations of fibroblast-like cells, which are gradually replaced by more rounded osteoblasts. In T. annularis and T. mauritanica, an additional skeletal tissue is deposited across the superficial surface of the osteoderm. This tissue is vitreous, avascular, cell-poor, lacks intrinsic collagen, and is herein identified as osteodermine. We also report that following tail loss, both T. annularis and T. mauritanica are capable of regenerating osteoderms, including osteodermine, in the regenerated part of the tail. We propose that osteoderms serve roles in defense against combative prey and intraspecific aggression, along with anti-predation functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Vickaryous
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, N.W, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - G Meldrum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, N.W, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - A P Russell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, N.W, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Bhullar BAS. A phylogenetic approach to ontogeny and heterochrony in the fossil record: cranial evolution and development in anguimorphan lizards (Reptilia: Squamata). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2012; 318:521-30. [PMID: 23081909 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2011] [Revised: 02/15/2012] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The incorporation of ontogeny into the interpretation of the vertebrate fossil record promises major advances in palaeontology, systematics, and macroevolution. Here, a key additional component, the incorporation of phylogenetic bracketing into ontogenetic considerations, is demonstrated using cranial anatomy in anguimorphan lizards, a diverse modern clade with an extensive fossil record. The obstacles of fragmentary disarticulated fossil material and low representation in museum collections are overcome by using detailed analysis of individual elements and binning into broad ontogenetic stages, respectively. Results indicate the prevalence of classical macroevolutionary phenomena, notably heterochrony and homoplasy (convergence), throughout anguimorphan evolution. Furthermore, two problematic fossil anguimorph taxa are examined, both of which are unusually small for their clades, suggesting either immaturity or dwarfism. Using extant phylogenetic brackets of ontogenetic trajectories to distinguish between these hypotheses, it is shown that the holotype of one of these taxa is indeed a juvenile (also calling into question its taxonomy) and that the other is a dwarf. It is expected that a phylogenetic approach to ontogeny will yield similar insights across a broad range of fossil and extant organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhart-Anjan S Bhullar
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
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