Evolution of head shape in the Amphisbaenia (Reptilia, Squamata) using geometric morphometrics methods

• Grant number: 16/06866-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Hussam El Dine Zaher
• Grantee: Roberta Graboski Mendes
• Supervisor: Dennis Everette Slice
• Host Institution: Museu de Zoologia (MZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Florida State University, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 12/24755-8 - Phylogenetic analysis and evolution of head forms of Amphisbaenia (Reptilia, Squamata), BP.DR

Abstract

Within the Squamata, the suborder Amphisbaenia consists of organisms that have adapted to various morphological changes due to fossorial habits. Currently, Amphisbaenia has 182 described species which are divided into six families (Amphisbaenidae, Blanidae, Bipedidae, Cadeidae, and Rhineuridae Trogonophidae) that have a wide distribution. Occurring in the Neotropical region, sub-Saharan Africa, parts of the Mediterranean region, Baja California and Florida. Despite advancements in the knowledge of the group, the phylogenetic position of Amphisbaenia within Squamata and the relationships between families and genera remains uncertain. Many studies attribute the difficulties in understanding the origin and evolution of Amphisbaenia to convergence of several morphological characters, for example, the various forms of head shapes present in this group. To address this issue, this project aims to categorize and understand the evolution of the forms of the head within Amphisbaenia, testing whether these forms demonstrate phylogenetic relationship or morphological convergence as related to geographic distribution. For this anatomical landmarks and geometric morphometric techniques will be used to quantify and analyze the differences in the shape of a great representation of species Amphisbaenia. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GRABOSKI, ROBERTA; GRAZZIOTIN, FELIPE G.; MOTT, TAML; RODRIGUES, MIGUEL TREFAUT. The phylogenetic position of ridley?s worm lizard reveals the complex biogeographic history of New World insular amphisbaenids. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, v. 173, p. 13-pg., 2022-08-01. (16/06866-8, 12/24755-8, 16/50127-5, 11/50146-6)

RIBEIRO, SIRIA; SA, VANIA; SANTOS-JR, ALFREDO P.; GRABOSKI, ROBERTA; ZAHER, HUSSAM; GUEDES, ANDREI G.; ANDRADE, SHEILA P.; VAZ-SILVA, WILIAN. A new species of the Amphisbaena (Squamata, Amphisbaenidae) from the Brazilian Cerrado with a key for the two-pored species. Zootaxa, v. 4550, n. 3, p. 301-320, JAN 25 2019. (12/24755-8, 16/06866-8)