Files and links (1)
Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
The specialized inner ear labyrinth of worm-lizards (Amphisbaenia: Squamata)
PLoS One, Vol.19(11), pp.1-19
2024
PMID: 39541286
Abstract
High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has become a widely used tool for studying the inner ear morphology of vertebrates. Amphisbaenians are one of the most specialized groups of fossorial reptiles but are poorly understood relative to other squamate reptile. In this paper we survey the anatomy of the inner and middle ear of these fossorial reptiles using HRCT models and we describe qualitatively and quantitatively (using 3D morphometrics) the anatomy of the inner ear. Amphisbaenians are diverse in skull anatomy, especially in the configuration of the snout, which correlates with digging modes. We demonstrate that the ear also exhibits a diversity of configurations, which are independent of phylogenetic relationships. Results from morphological analyses also allow us to describe 11 new potentially informative phylogenetic characters including some that help to diagnose amphisbaenians, such as: 1) the globular vestibule, ii) semicircular canals arranged in a circular trajectory, and iii) an extensive area of interaction between the columella footplate and the lagenar recess. Among extant amphisbaenians, Rhineura floridana has the most unusual inner ear configuration, including a horizontal semicircular canal that is in the same orientation as the inclined snout. The new morphological information helps us to better understand the morphology of headfirst-burrowing fossorial reptiles and contributes new data for resolution of phylogenetic relationships among amphisbaenians.
Details
- Title
- The specialized inner ear labyrinth of worm-lizards (Amphisbaenia: Squamata)
- Authors
- Geneva E Clark - Sam Houston State UniversityAlessandro Palci - The University of AdelaideRebecca Laver - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Academic Support UnitCristian Hernandez-Morales - The University of Texas at ArlingtonChristian A Perez-Martinez - University of MissouriPatrick J Lewis - Sam Houston State UniversityMonte L Thies - Sam Houston State UniversityChristopher J Bell - The University of Texas at AustinChristy A Hipsley - University of CopenhagenJohannes Müller - Museum für NaturkundeRicardo Montero - National University of TucumánJuan D Daza (Corresponding Author) - Sam Houston State University
- Publication details
- PLoS One, Vol.19(11), pp.1-19
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0312086
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
- PMID
- 39541286
- Copyright note
- © 2024 Clark et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Data Availability
- Amphisbaenian endocast 3D models are available from MorphoSource (https://www.morphosource.org, projectID: 000656777). Supportive Information S1 and S2 includes the aligned coordinates used in the 3D morphometric analyses, and the list of species included in the analysis with their ecological variables. Additional details about the analysis are available at https://github.com/Nandezsendo/The-innear-ear-of-worm-lizards.
- Grant note
- The Carl Gans Fund, Wilson-Warner, James D. Long and the Biology Department Scholarships supported Geneva E. Clark. Sam Houston State University Enhancement Research Grant (2014) to Juan D. Daza, Patrick J. Lewis, Monte L. Thies supported obtaining data for this study and funds from the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin to Christopher J. Bell.
- Organisation Unit
- Academic Support Unit
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991087098502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
11 Record Views