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

Kód výsledku v 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>

Nalezeny alternativní kódy

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

Výsledek na webu

<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>

Jazyk výsledku

angličtina

Název v původním jazyce

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

Popis výsledku v původním jazyce

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.

Název v anglickém jazyce

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

Popis výsledku anglicky

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.

Druh

J_imp - Článek v periodiku v databázi Web of Science

CEP obor

—

OECD FORD obor

10613 - Zoology

Projekt

—

Návaznosti

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Rok uplatnění

2025

Kód důvěrnosti údajů

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

Název periodika

Journal of Morphology

ISSN

0362-2525

e-ISSN

—

Svazek periodika

286

Číslo periodika v rámci svazku

2

Stát vydavatele periodika

US - Spojené státy americké

Počet stran výsledku

10

Strana od-do

1-10

Kód UT WoS článku

001427546000001

EID výsledku v databázi Scopus

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