Sexual dimorphism in skull size and shape of Laticauda colubrina (Serpentes: Elapidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexual dimorphism in size and shape is widespread among squamate reptiles. Sex differences in snake skull size and shape are often accompanied by intersexual feeding niche separation. However, allometric trajectories underlying these differences remain largely unstudied in several lineages. The sea krait Laticauda colubrina (Serpentes: Elapidae) exhibits very clear sexual dimorphism in body size, with previous studies having reported females to be larger and to have a relatively longer and wider head. The two sexes also differ in feeding habits: males tend to prey in shallow water on muraenid eels, whereas females prey in deeper water on congerid eels.

Methods

I investigated sexual dimorphism in skull shape and size as well as the pattern of skull growth, t

SUBMITTER: Borczyk B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10590095 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature