Ontogeny of pileus shape in Natrix natrix and N. tessellata
Abstract
We examined the divergence in pileus shape and ontogenetic allometric changes in pileus shape in two closely related species of snakes - Natrix natrix and N. tessellata. These two species have similar ecology, but different microhabitat and diet preferences. We analysed the ontogenetic series from hatchlings to adults. Hatchlings of two species significantly diverged in pileus size and shape. At the adult stage, significant sexual dimorphism in pileus size and shape was found within both species. Adults of N. natrix and N. tessellata (females and males) diverged in pileus shape, but not in size. Allometric shape changes accounted for significant amount of variance in pileus shape among different age classes, and appear to be species- and sex-specific. Our results suggested that allometries of pileus shape are highly evolvable traits, which may result from natural selection for functional optimisation of head shape in Natricine species.
Keywords:
geometric morphometrics / head scales / Natricinae / ontogenetic trajectories / sexual dimorphismSource:
Herpetological Journal, 2016, 26, 1, 3-9Publisher:
- British Herpetol Soc, London
Funding / projects:
- Evolution in the laboratory and adaptations in the wild (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173007)
- Diversity of the amphibians and reptiles on the Balkan Peninsula: evolutionary and conservation aspects (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173043)
Collections
Institution/Community
TorlakTY - JOUR AU - Anđelković, Marko AU - Blagojević, Veljko AU - Tomović, Ljiljana AU - Ivanović, Ana PY - 2016 UR - http://intor.torlakinstitut.com/handle/123456789/473 AB - We examined the divergence in pileus shape and ontogenetic allometric changes in pileus shape in two closely related species of snakes - Natrix natrix and N. tessellata. These two species have similar ecology, but different microhabitat and diet preferences. We analysed the ontogenetic series from hatchlings to adults. Hatchlings of two species significantly diverged in pileus size and shape. At the adult stage, significant sexual dimorphism in pileus size and shape was found within both species. Adults of N. natrix and N. tessellata (females and males) diverged in pileus shape, but not in size. Allometric shape changes accounted for significant amount of variance in pileus shape among different age classes, and appear to be species- and sex-specific. Our results suggested that allometries of pileus shape are highly evolvable traits, which may result from natural selection for functional optimisation of head shape in Natricine species. PB - British Herpetol Soc, London T2 - Herpetological Journal T1 - Ontogeny of pileus shape in Natrix natrix and N. tessellata EP - 9 IS - 1 SP - 3 VL - 26 UR - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2617 ER -
@article{ author = "Anđelković, Marko and Blagojević, Veljko and Tomović, Ljiljana and Ivanović, Ana", year = "2016", abstract = "We examined the divergence in pileus shape and ontogenetic allometric changes in pileus shape in two closely related species of snakes - Natrix natrix and N. tessellata. These two species have similar ecology, but different microhabitat and diet preferences. We analysed the ontogenetic series from hatchlings to adults. Hatchlings of two species significantly diverged in pileus size and shape. At the adult stage, significant sexual dimorphism in pileus size and shape was found within both species. Adults of N. natrix and N. tessellata (females and males) diverged in pileus shape, but not in size. Allometric shape changes accounted for significant amount of variance in pileus shape among different age classes, and appear to be species- and sex-specific. Our results suggested that allometries of pileus shape are highly evolvable traits, which may result from natural selection for functional optimisation of head shape in Natricine species.", publisher = "British Herpetol Soc, London", journal = "Herpetological Journal", title = "Ontogeny of pileus shape in Natrix natrix and N. tessellata", pages = "9-3", number = "1", volume = "26", url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2617" }
Anđelković, M., Blagojević, V., Tomović, L.,& Ivanović, A.. (2016). Ontogeny of pileus shape in Natrix natrix and N. tessellata. in Herpetological Journal British Herpetol Soc, London., 26(1), 3-9. https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2617
Anđelković M, Blagojević V, Tomović L, Ivanović A. Ontogeny of pileus shape in Natrix natrix and N. tessellata. in Herpetological Journal. 2016;26(1):3-9. https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2617 .
Anđelković, Marko, Blagojević, Veljko, Tomović, Ljiljana, Ivanović, Ana, "Ontogeny of pileus shape in Natrix natrix and N. tessellata" in Herpetological Journal, 26, no. 1 (2016):3-9, https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_ibiss_2617 .