Evolution
What time period did squamates likely appear?
Triassic
What are the 3 gecko families?
1. Eublepharidae
2. Geckonidae
3. Diplodactylidae
What are Tiliqua spp and where are they from?
Blue Tongue Skinks from Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea
What is Varanus acanthurus and what is "guild biology"?
Spiny tailed monitor.
When animals in the same genus eat each other depending on body size (small -> medium -> large)
What are 3 snakes that are more primitive than pythons and boids?
Scolecophidia, Anilius, Tropidophis, Trachyboa, Cylindrophis, Xenipeltus, Uropeltidae
What are the two theories of snake origins?
1. Fossorial
2. Marine/Mosasaur
How do geckos climb?
Toe pads use static electricity to cling to surfaces.
What are the two genera of Tegus and which one do we have in our care?
Tupinambis and Salvator
We have Salvator (Bella!)
What clade includes Alligator Lizards, Helodermids, and Varanids?
Anguimorpha
Describe the python pit.
Allows the snake to see in infrared. Each maxillary pit has a bundle of neurons that feeds into the optic nerve providing heat vision. Thought to have evolved for thermoregulation prior to the diversification of mammalian prey.
What makes squamate skulls different from captorhynomorpha skulls?
Fixed vs floating quadrate bone; Pineal eye; beak vs teeth/true fangs; ossified vs flexible
Describe Aelurescalabotes felinus
Cat-eyed gecko
Skinny body; lives in burrows and logs; from Malaysia, Cambodia, and SE Asia; interesting threat display
Describe the Buaplan of skinks
Cylindrical; elongate or stout; short limbs; simple scales
What is Ozempic made from and why?
Made from Heloderma venom.
When ingested by Gila monsters, the venom regulates sugars and aids metabolism. This was applied to humans.
What are the various Morelia species we learned?
Carpet, green tree, rough scale python (Morelia carinatus), Bredl's python
Who was Tetrapodophis amplectus?
Why are geckos thought to be the most ancient squamates?
Protogecko fossils show morphological similarities; lack of arboreal competition = lots of unique characteristics; circumglobal
Why are Tegus so invasive?
Introduced in Florida for breeding, escapees were able to reproduce and travel north b/c they can survive the cold longer than most invasive herps.
Why was Varanid venom controversial?
People thought they killed through bacterial infections, implicating the evolution of bad teeth. Looking at the anatomy clearly shows a venom gland.
What is unique about the breeding behavior of Eunectes?
Linked to the hydroperiod. During the dry season they aggregate in small pools which is when mating balls occur (about 20 males per 1 female).
What are the three things all Squamates share?
1. Movable quadrate bone
2. Cornified Skull
3. Hemipenes
How do Ptychozoon utilize their morphology?
1. Camouflage
2. Use extensions on limbs and tail to glide up to 250 ft and steer with their head
What is parthenogenesis and who is famous for it?
Asexual reproduction
Cnemidophorus and Aspidoscelis (whiptails)
What is the "sustainable approach" to the conservation of Varanus prasinus?
To combat population decline due to harvesting for the pet trade, the people were taught how to breed them in captivity and use the offspring to sell.
What problems do the wart snakes face when feeding?
They are aquatic so they face 2 problems: eat a fish too big = sink; can't ungulate as effectively. Solution is to eat only in shallow waters.