Jaw kinesis in snakes: the evolution and development of novel structures and enormous gapes
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Craniofacial Dev and Stem Cell Biology
Abstract
We aim to study the development and evolution of the unique snake jaw. This research
investigates the mechanisms behind the evolution of novel structures and provides an
understanding of how cranial joints evolved and form embryonically. Aims: 1. To
characterise the development and precise anatomy of the highly flexible jaw joints in
the corn snake embryo 2. To compare and contrast the development of the snake jaw
with that of lizards and chicks, and to identify the mechanisms that shape these
skeletal elements during embryology. 3. To correlate developmental mechanisms with
adult morphology, across snake species, using 3D imaging, geometric morphometrics
(programming skills in R), and evolutionary modeling to understand the origins of jaw
diversity. 4. To develop new statistical models to model the tempo and mode of
evolution in the snake jaw, from early fossil snakes to modern snakes and across
ecological groups. Tucker Lab: These aims will take advantage of the corn snake
colony (Elaphe guttata) established by Prof Tucker at King's. The jaw will be
investigated using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation and analysis of
proliferation and cell death. Imaging will involve microCT and confocal microscopy.
Several corn snake genes have already been cloned in the lab (Shh, Ptc, Axin2, Lef1).
Snake jaws will be compared to those of other species (embryos available at King's),
with respect to differences in gene expression, morphology, and cell dynamics. Felice
lab: The project will quantify tempo and mode of anatomical evolution in different
snake species using cutting-edge imaging, 3D morphometric analysis in R and
evolutionary modelling. The student will develop new methods for Bayesian
probabilistic modeling to test hypotheses about how anatomical variation arose in the
jaw (i.e., do the correlations among jaw bones constrain evolution?). These new
techniques will provide a useful framework for analysis of other evolutionary novelties.
investigates the mechanisms behind the evolution of novel structures and provides an
understanding of how cranial joints evolved and form embryonically. Aims: 1. To
characterise the development and precise anatomy of the highly flexible jaw joints in
the corn snake embryo 2. To compare and contrast the development of the snake jaw
with that of lizards and chicks, and to identify the mechanisms that shape these
skeletal elements during embryology. 3. To correlate developmental mechanisms with
adult morphology, across snake species, using 3D imaging, geometric morphometrics
(programming skills in R), and evolutionary modeling to understand the origins of jaw
diversity. 4. To develop new statistical models to model the tempo and mode of
evolution in the snake jaw, from early fossil snakes to modern snakes and across
ecological groups. Tucker Lab: These aims will take advantage of the corn snake
colony (Elaphe guttata) established by Prof Tucker at King's. The jaw will be
investigated using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation and analysis of
proliferation and cell death. Imaging will involve microCT and confocal microscopy.
Several corn snake genes have already been cloned in the lab (Shh, Ptc, Axin2, Lef1).
Snake jaws will be compared to those of other species (embryos available at King's),
with respect to differences in gene expression, morphology, and cell dynamics. Felice
lab: The project will quantify tempo and mode of anatomical evolution in different
snake species using cutting-edge imaging, 3D morphometric analysis in R and
evolutionary modelling. The student will develop new methods for Bayesian
probabilistic modeling to test hypotheses about how anatomical variation arose in the
jaw (i.e., do the correlations among jaw bones constrain evolution?). These new
techniques will provide a useful framework for analysis of other evolutionary novelties.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/T008709/1 | 01/10/2020 | 30/09/2028 | |||
| 2723195 | Studentship | BB/T008709/1 | 01/10/2022 | 30/09/2026 | Maricci Basa |