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Digging adaptations in psammophiid snakes Project ID: 0000C1043 Public
11 Media · 6 Specimens · Creator: Tunnell-Wilson, Walter, Sekits, Nick, Jackson, Kate · Managed by: Nick Sekits

The Beaked Snakes (Rhamphiophis), are large, diurnal snakes with reinforced snouts adapted for digging. The Skaapstekers (Psammophylax) are generalist, terrestrial snakes. Both genera belong to the primarily African lamprophiid subfamily, Psammophiinae. The Striped Beaked Snake (Psammophylax acutus) was originally considered a member of the genus Rhamphiophis. However, molecular evidence suggests that P. acutus is more closely related to Psammophylax. If this phylogenetic placement is correct, the “beak” of P. acutus must have evolved independently of that seen in the “true” beaked snakes. Using micro-CT scanning, we undertook a detailed study of the cranial morphology of P. acutus in addition to representative species of both Psammophylax and Rhamphiophis for comparison. We found that, despite its striking adaptations to fossorial life, R. acutus still retains cranial features that reveal its true origin amongst the Skaapstekers, its evolutionary history can be told not only by its genes, but by its morphology as well.

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  ID Part Object Taxonomy Type Date Added Publication Status  
000447051 Nasal region FMNH:Amphibians and Reptiles:74259 Kladirostratus acutus Mesh 2022-06-21 Restricted Download  
000447048 Nasal region UMMZ:herps:67214 Psammophylax rhombeatus Mesh 2022-06-21 Restricted Download  
000447045 Nasal region MCZ:Herp:R-80974 Rhamphiophis rostratus Mesh 2022-06-21 Restricted Download  
000125072 skull MCZ:Herp:R-80974 Rhamphiophis rostratus Volumetric Image Series 2020-07-10 Restricted Download  
000116388 Skull FMNH:Amphibians and Reptiles:74259 Kladirostratus acutus Mesh 2020-05-21 Restricted Download  
000116389 Skull MCZ:Herp:R-49728 Kladirostratus togoensis Image 2020-05-21 Restricted Download  
000116387 Skull FMNH:Amphibians and Reptiles:74259 Kladirostratus acutus Image 2020-05-21 Restricted Download  
000116385 skull MCZ:Herp:R-52813 Psammophylax tritaeniatus tritaeniatus Mesh 2020-05-20 Restricted Download  
000116384 Skull MCZ:Herp:R-52813 Psammophylax tritaeniatus tritaeniatus Image 2020-05-20 Restricted Download  
000116379 Skull mcz:herp:R-42966 Psammophylax variabilis Mesh 2020-05-20 Restricted Download  
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