The final volume in an epic series on reptilian biology (original) (raw)
Related papers
Current biology : CB, 2015
A Primer on the reptile brain, in particular the light it sheds on the structural and functional evolution of vertebrate neural circuits.
Reptilian Neurology: Anatomy and Function
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, 2007
The reptilian nervous system is moderately simple in structure yet allows great functional diversity in species-specific behaviors and adaptation to diverse niches. Although there is a certain amount of specialization of the nervous system of various reptilian species, it is more similar among reptile taxa than different. Superimposed upon these gross morphological and functional similarities are several significant variations that reflect differences in gross body structure and evolutionary history among turtles, snakes, lizards, crocodilians, and the tuatara.
Developmental palaeontology of Reptilia as revealed by histological studies
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 2010
Among the fossilised ontogenetic series known for tetrapods, only more basal groups like temnospondyl amphibians have been used extensively in developmental studies, whereas reptilian and synapsid data have been largely neglected so far. However, before such ontogenetic series can be subject to study, the relative age and affiliation of putative specimens within a series has to be verified. Bone histology has a long-standing tradition as being a source of palaeobiological and growth history data in fossil amniotes and indeed, the analysis of bone microstructures still remains the most important and most reliable tool for determining the absolute ontogenetic age of fossil vertebrates. It is also the only direct way to reconstruct life histories and growth strategies for extinct animals. Herein the record of bone histology among Reptilia and its application to elucidate and expand fossilised ontogenies as a source of developmental data are reviewed.
Reptilian placentation: structural diversity and terminology
1988
Review of the literature on reptilian placental terminology reveals that confusion associated with the assignment of terms to different placental organs is unwarranted. Reptilian placentae can be assigned easily to one of four distinct structural types defined by the extraembryonic membranes that are involved in placental formation. The terms "allantoplacenta" and "chorioallantoic placenta" have consistently been applied to the organ formed by the chorioallantoic membrane and adjacent uterine epithelium. Some confusion, however, has been associated with the assignment of terms to regions of the yolk sac that participate in placentation. We recognize two distinct types of yolk sac placentation: 1) the "choriovitelline placenta," defined as the apposition of the vascularized trilaminar omphalopleure (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) and the uterine epithelium; and 2) the "omphaloplacenta," which consists of the non-vascular omphalopleure (ectoderm, endoderm) of the isolated yolk mass and associated structures, in apposition to the uterine epithelium. The "omphalallantoic placenta," constituting the fourth structural category, forms as the outer allantoic membrane becomes apposed to the inner margin of the omphaloplacenta. Based upon these definitions, both chorioallantoic and choriovitelline placentation occur among reptiles, marsupials and eutherians, whereas omphaloplacentation and omphalallantoic placentation are unique to squamates.
Selected Topics in Reptile Clinical Pathology
1994
The class Reptilia encompasses a large and diversified group of vertebrates. Presently, approximately 6,000 species have been identified. The representatives fall into the chelonian, crocodilian, squamate (lizards and snakes), and the Rhynchocephlia (the tuatara) categories.
Reproduction in reptiles, from genes to ecology: A retrospective and prospective vision
2010
In Memory of Rajkumar (Raju) Shivappa Radder With the permission of his family, we dedicated the symposium to the memory of Raju Radder (pictured above), an extraordinary young herpetologist who was registered to participate in the symposium but who suffered a fatal heart attack on 31 May 2008, just 2½ months short of the Congress. Raju had focused his attentions on many aspects of reproduction in reptiles and his contributions to the literature were significant and expanding rapidly (Shanbhag et al. 2008). It was his innovation and dedication that led us to ensure that Raju was part of our symposium and his death touched us all deeply. It is for these reasons that we dedicated the symposium, and these written contributions, to Raju's memory.