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The macroevolutionary singularity of snakes
Pascal O Title1,2,3, Sonal Singhal3,4, Michael C Grundler3
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 22, 2024
Summary
Snakes and lizards (Squamata) show remarkable evolutionary adaptations. Their diversification, particularly in snakes, has reshaped ecosystems through specialized predatory strategies, impacting vertebrate biodiversity.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Zoology
- Ecology
Background:
- Squamata (snakes and lizards) comprise a significant portion of terrestrial vertebrates.
- They display diverse innovations in locomotion, feeding, and sensory systems.
- The evolutionary drivers behind their radiation are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes and consequences of squamate macroevolution.
- To understand the evolutionary history and diversification patterns of snakes and lizards.
Main Methods:
- Utilized individual-based natural history observations of over 60,000 animals.
- Constructed a time-calibrated phylogeny using genomic data from 1018 species (5400 loci).
Main Results:
- Identified shifts in speciation and phenotypic evolution dynamics in snakes.
- Demonstrated recurrent origin and diversification of specialized predatory strategies in snakes.
- Showcased how snakes have transformed trophic structures in animal communities.
Conclusions:
- Squamate biodiversity is shaped by historical contingency and early snake evolution.
- Singular evolutionary events in snakes have had a profound impact on vertebrate biodiversity.
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