What makes a fang? Phylogenetic and ecological controls on tooth evolution in rear-fanged snakes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fangs are a putative key innovation that revolutionized prey capture and feeding in snakes, and - along with their associated venom phenotypes - have made snakes perhaps the most medically-significant vertebrate animals. Three snake clades are known for their forward-positioned fangs, and these clades (Elapidae, Viperidae, and Atractaspidinae) contain the majority of snakes that are traditionally considered venomous. However, many other snakes are "rear-fanged": they possess potentially venom-delivering teeth situated at the rear end of the upper jaw. Quantification of fang phenotypes - and especially those of rear-fanged species - has proved challenging or impossible owing to the small size and relative rarity of many such snakes. Consequently, it has been difficult to

SUBMITTER: Westeen EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7346461 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature