What is the definition of Squamata?
Definition of Squamata : an order of reptiles comprising the snakes and lizards and sometimes the extinct Pythonomorpha.
What makes a Squamata?
Squamata (scaled reptiles) is the most diverse order of extant reptiles, comprised of the lizards and snakes and characterized a flexible jaw structure (movable quadrate bones) and having scales or shields rather than shells or secondary palates.
What are the families of Squamata?
Squamata
- FamilyAcrochordidae. Acrochordidae: pictures (3)
- FamilyAgamidae. Agamidae: information (1)
- FamilyAmphisbaenia.
- FamilyAmphisbaenidae. Amphisbaenidae: pictures (12)
- FamilyAnguidae. Anguidae: information (1)
- FamilyAniliidae. Aniliidae: pictures (4)
- FamilyAnniellidae. Anniellidae: information (1)
- FamilyAnomalepidae.
Which organism belongs within order Squamata?
lizard
lizard, (suborder Sauria), any of more than 5,500 species of reptiles belonging in the order Squamata (which also includes snakes, suborder Serpentes). Lizards are scaly-skinned reptiles that are usually distinguished from snakes by the possession of legs, movable eyelids, and external ear openings.
What class is Squamata in?
ReptilesScaled reptiles / Class
How many species of Squamata are there?
Squamates are a diverse group of legged and legless lizards, including snakes. There are nearly 8,000 squamate species.
What are adaptations of of Squamata?
Over time, squamates have evolved unique adaptations that allow them to survive in a variety of diverse habitats. For example, while many squamates have well-developed limbs some do not. The absence of limbs in squamates such as snakes, may allow them to easily navigate narrow underground tunnels and burrows.
What did Squamata evolve from?
The Squamata is the sister group to the Rhynchocephalia (the Tuatara and extinct relatives), sharing a common ancestor around 250 million years ago at the start of the Mesozoic. Together, they form the monophyletic Lepidosauria.
Is Squamata an order?
Squamata (/skwæˈmeɪtə/, Latin squamatus (“scaly, having scales”)) is the largest order of reptiles, comprising lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians (worm lizards), which are collectively known as squamates or scaled reptiles.
Is Squamata a phylum?
ChordateScaled reptiles / Phylum
Is there a large-scale phylogenetic estimate of squamata?
Such an estimate is invaluable for comparative evolutionary studies, and to address their classification. Here, we present the first large-scale phylogenetic estimate for Squamata.
What is Squamata?
Squamata is the most variably sized order of reptiles, ranging from the 16 mm (0.63 in) dwarf gecko ( Sphaerodactylus ariasae) to the 5.21 m (17.1 ft) green anaconda ( Eunectes murinus) and the now- extinct mosasaurs, which reached lengths over 14 m (46 ft).
Is this the last word on squamate phylogeny?
With over 5000 species remaining to be included and only 12 genes sampled, our study is far from the last word on squamate phylogeny. We note that new data can easily be added to this matrix, in terms of both new taxa and new genes. Increased sampling of other nuclear genes is likely to be advantageous as well.
What can we learn from the present squamate evolution tree?
Despite these areas for future studies, the present tree provides a framework for researchers analyzing patterns of squamate evolution at both lower and higher taxonomic levels (e.g. [ 10, 11, 203, 204 ]), and for building a more complete picture of squamate phylogeny.