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Article Reference chemical/x-molconn-Z Regional differences in vertebral shape along the axial skeleton in caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)
Abstract Caecilians are elongate, limbless and annulated amphibians that, as far as is known, all have an at least partly fossorial lifestyle. It has been suggested that elongate limbless vertebrates show little morphological differentiation throughout the postcranial skeleton. However, relatively few studies have explored the axial skeleton in limbless tetrapods. In this study, we used ?CT data and three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to explore regional differences in vertebral shape across a broad range of caecilian species. Our results highlight substantial differences in vertebral shape along the axial skeleton, with anterior vertebrae being short and bulky, whereas posterior vertebrae are more elongated. This study shows that despite being limbless, elongate tetrapods such as caecilians still show regional heterogeneity in the shape of individual vertebrae along the vertebral column. Further studies are needed, however, to understand the possible causes and functional consequences of the observed variation in vertebral shape in caecilians.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2022
Article Reference Is vertebral shape variability in caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) constrained by forces experienced during burrowing?
Caecilians are predominantly burrowing, elongate, limbless amphibians that have been relatively poorly studied. Although it has been suggested that the sturdy and compact skulls of caecilians are an adaptation to their head-first burrowing habits, no clear relationship between skull shape and burrowing performance appears to exist. However, the external forces encountered during burrowing are transmitted by the skull to the vertebral column, and, as such, may impact vertebral shape. Additionally, the muscles that generate the burrowing forces attach onto the vertebral column and consequently may impact vertebral shape that way as well. Here, we explored the relationships between vertebral shape and maximal in vivo push forces in 13 species of caecilian amphibians. Our results show that the shape of the two most anterior vertebrae, as well as the shape of the vertebrae at 90% of the total body length, is not correlated with peak push forces. Conversely, the shape of the third vertebrae, and the vertebrae at 20% and 60% of the total body length, does show a relationship to push forces measured in vivo. Whether these relationships are indirect (external forces constraining shape variation) or direct (muscle forces constraining shape variation) remains unclear and will require quantitative studies of the axial musculature. Importantly, our data suggest that mid-body vertebrae may potentially be used as proxies to infer burrowing capacity in fossil representatives.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2022
Booklet Reference Livret-guide de l’excursion géologique dans la vallée du Hoyoux (Belgique) pour les membres de la Société Géologique du Nord. Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, Bruxelles, 22 p.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Two new atrypid brachiopod species from the late Frasnian of Belgium
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference The genus Biernatella Baliński, 1977 (Brachiopoda) from the late Frasnian of Belgium
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference The genus Iowatrypa Copper, 1973 (Brachiopoda) in the Les Valisettes Formation (late Frasnian of the Philippeville Anticlinorium, southern Belgium)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Revision of the brachiopod Cyrtina rigauxi Maillieux, 1909 and description of a new ambocoeliid genus (Dionacoelia n. gen.) from the Frasnian of southern Belgium
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Givetian brachiopods from the Trois-Fontaines Formation at Marenne (Belgium, Dinant Synclinorium)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Restudy of the Lower Carboniferous Scaphopoda described by de Koninck (1843, 1883)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Book Reference Octet Stream Grondbemonstering. Noorderterras, archeologische opgraving, Mattestraat, spoor 55 (voor Stadsarcheologie Antwerpen)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2022