Hidden Armour: The Passive Protective Function of Caudal Osteoderms in Snakes

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00023272%3A_____%2F25%3A10136842" target="_blank" >RIV/00023272:_____/25:10136842 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/68407700:21670/25:00387829 RIV/00216208:11310/25:10496204

Result on the web

<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmor.70034" target="_blank" >https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmor.70034</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70034" target="_blank" >10.1002/jmor.70034</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Hidden Armour: The Passive Protective Function of Caudal Osteoderms in Snakes

Original language description

Dermal armour, consisting of bony dermal structures known as osteoderms (ODs), is widespread in squamate reptiles. However, in some limbless taxa such as snakes, ODs are rare, probably due to a trade-off between mechanical protection and the demands of locomotion and consumption of large prey. Recent findings of ODs restricted to the distal body regions of sand boas (Eryx, Erycidae) challenge this paradigm, suggesting they provide passive mechanical protection against aggressive prey without significantly impairing locomotion. Building on these findings, we have continued the search and identified three additional snake species that have well-developed caudal ODs, including the first-ever discovery of ODs in shield-tailed snakes (Uropeltidae). In these fossorial species, which are characterised by their unique tail morphology, ecological adaptations and colouration, the ODs at the tail tip may serve as passive protection against predators. However, an alternative role in locomotion or occasional phragmosis cannot be ruled out. In the Javelin sand boa (Eryx jaculus), the ODs are hypothesised to function as a mechanical defence against aggressive prey. These results highlight the functional and evolutionary plasticity of ODs and emphasise the urgent need for further studies on their specific role and adaptive significance in the ecology and evolution of snakes.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10613 - Zoology

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Journal of Morphology

ISSN

0362-2525

e-ISSN

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Volume of the periodical

286

Issue of the periodical within the volume

2

Country of publishing house

US - UNITED STATES

Number of pages

10

Pages from-to

1-10

UT code for WoS article

001427546000001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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