Vestigial appendicular skeletons in the African and Malagasy skink species Feylinia grandisquamis, Melanoseps ater, Grandidierina lineata and Voeltzkowia mira. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liniewski, Rachel; Stanley, Shane; Andrade, Julia; Senter, Phil
• Is Part Of: African journal of herpetology. Volume 65:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Squamata -- Scincidae -- vestigial structures -- appendicular skeleton -- Feylinia -- Melanoseps -- Grandidierina -- Voeltzkowia; Herpetology -- Periodicals; Herpetology -- Africa -- Periodicals; 597.9
• DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2015.1133722
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2156-4574

Abstract

Abstract: Vestigial appendicular skeletons are present but have not previously been described and illustrated in the skink species Feylinia grandisquamis and Melanoseps ater . Vestigial appendicular skeletons have been described and illustrated in only one specimen of Grandidierina lineata and in a small sample of Voeltzkowia mira . Here we report a radiographic study of the appendicular skeletons of these four species. The pectoral girdle includes a vestigial clavicle in F. grandisquamis ; a vestigial scapulocoracoid and sternum in M. ater ; a vestigial scapulocoracoid, interclavicle and sternum, with or without a clavicle, in G. lineata ; and a clavicle and scapulocoracoid in one specimen of V. mira . In all four species the pelvic girdle includes an ilium and a puboischium. No midline contact is present between the left and right puboischium, and visible forking into a distinct pubis and ischium is present only in V. mira . The only discernible limb vestiges are humeri in V. mira .