The macroevolutionary singularity of snakes

2024/02/22 by Pascal O. Title, Sonal Singhal, Michael C. Gründler +17 · 1 voice · 15 citations
Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Amphibian and Reptile Biology #Evolution and Genetic Dynamics #Animal Behavior and Reproduction

paper · doi:10.1126/science.adh2449

Abstract

Snakes and lizards (Squamata) represent a third of terrestrial vertebrates and exhibit spectacular innovations in locomotion, feeding, and sensory processing. However, the evolutionary drivers of this radiation remain poorly known. We infer potential causes and ultimate consequences of squamate macroevolution by combining individual-based natural history observations (>60,000 animals) with a comprehensive time-calibrated phylogeny that we anchored with genomic data (5400 loci) from 1018 species. Due to shifts in the dynamics of speciation and phenotypic evolution, snakes have transformed the trophic structure of animal communities through the recurrent origin and diversification of specialized predatory strategies. Squamate biodiversity reflects a legacy of singular events that occurred during the early history of snakes and reveals the impact of historical contingency on vertebrate biodiversity.

Citations

• Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth
• Quartet Sampling distinguishes lack of support from conflicting support in the green plant tree of life
• TESTING FOR DIFFERENT RATES OF CONTINUOUS TRAIT EVOLUTION USING LIKELIHOOD

Cited by

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• Whole snake genomes from eighteen families of snakes (Serpentes: Caenophidia) and their applications to systematics
• Divergent Paths, Convergent Heads: Morphological Adaptation of Head Shape to Habitat Use and Diet in Snakes
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• The Golden Lancehead Genome Reveals Distinct Selective Processes Acting on Venom Genes of an Island Endemic Snake
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• A Chromosome-level Genome Assembly of the Western Nose-Horned Viper ( <i>Vipera ammodytes ammodytes</i> )
• The Geometry of Macroevolution: Phenotypic Evolution on Non-Euclidean Manifolds
• Shifting snake ranges in a warming world
• Demand for small‐ and large‐ranged reptiles in worldwide wildlife trade

Discussions

• Very excited to share a huge project that's been a long time in the making. Interested in squamate macroevolution? Curious about how snakes fit into the broader ecological context of squamates? Lookin [bsky, 17 points, 2 comments]

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