Pectoral myology of limb-reduced worm lizards (Squamata, Amphisbaenia) suggests decoupling of the musculoskeletal system during the evolution of body elongation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The evolution of elongated body forms in tetrapods has a strong influence on the musculoskeletal system, including the reduction of pelvic and pectoral girdles, as well as the limbs. However, despite extensive research in this area it still remains unknown how muscles within and around bony girdles are affected by these reductions. Here we investigate this issue using fossorial amphisbaenian reptiles, or worm lizards, as a model system, which show substantial variation in the degree of reductions of girdles and limbs. Using iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT), we analyze the composition of the shoulder muscles of the main clades of Amphisbaenia and their outgroups relative to the pectoral skeleton.

Results

All investigated amphisbaenian tax

SUBMITTER: Westphal N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6329177 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature