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.