Variation in the Jaw Musculature of Ratsnakes and Their Allies (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Abstract

Snakes have a highly modified feeding apparatus. However, its associated musculature is often poorly known. In order to study variation in the cephalic musculature, we dissected specimens representing 28 snake species belonging to the New World clade Lampropeltini and their Old World relatives. The observed variation was analysed using a phylogenetic framework. We found that the pattern of their musculature is conservative. We observed no interspecific variation in the intermandibular muscles or in the posterior jaw adductors. Variation within the dorsal constrictors and lateral jaw adductors is relatively low. This could be explained by morphological (space) limitations and functional constraints.

Keywords

• anatomy
• comparative morphology
• evolution
• myology
• snakes