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Related Experiment Video

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Evaluation of Patients' Posture and Gait Profile After Lumbar Fusion Surgery by Video Rasterstereography and Treadmill Gait Analysis

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Spinal Deformities in Wild Reptiles: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Gergely Horváth^1,2

¹Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/c, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.

|September 27, 2025

Summary

Spinal deformities are common in wild reptiles, particularly turtles. This study compiled extensive data, revealing a global prevalence of 0.21% but highlighting a lack of research into their causes and impacts.

Keywords:

kyphosis meta-analysis reptiles scoliosis spinal malformations

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Published on: September 16, 2022

Area of Science:

Herpetology
Vertebrate Zoology
Bio-statistics

Background:

Spinal deformities (kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis) occur in all major vertebrate groups.
Reports in wild reptiles are increasing but lack in-depth analysis of causes, pathology, prevalence, or implications.
Existing data are fragmented, often appearing as natural history notes rather than scientific studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To compile the most comprehensive database of spinal deformities in wild reptiles to date.
To estimate the global prevalence of spinal deformities in reptiles.
To explore potential patterns in deformity occurrence across reptile groups and habitats.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature.
Collection of unpublished records via standardized social media inquiries.
Phylogenetic meta-analysis of compiled data from 109 reptile species.

Main Results:

A database of 690 observations from 146 sources, covering 109 species across 37 countries was compiled.
Global prevalence of spinal deformities was estimated at 0.21%, with no significant phylogenetic or habitat-related effects detected.
Turtles (Testudines) were over-represented in observations. Kyphosis was more common in aquatic turtles, while scoliosis was more frequent in terrestrial squamates.

Conclusions:

Spinal deformities are widespread across reptile clades, with turtles showing a higher incidence.
Current data suggest limited influence of phylogeny or habitat type on overall prevalence, though specific patterns exist for kyphosis and scoliosis.
Significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the etiology, pathology, and life history consequences of spinal deformities in wild reptiles, necessitating standardized reporting.