Evolution is simply how organisms gradually change over time because of changes in their genomes according to the National Human Genome Research Institute. These alterations are often due to mutations that modify an individual’s biological functions or physical traits. So that it becomes possible for them to be able to adapt more effectively with what exists around them. While small legless lizards coexisted with dinosaurs at the beginning of these snakes.
The evolution of snakes: what we know so far
A recent report from biologists at the University of Michigan published in Science explains this sudden process of evolution. It has been discovered that snake ancestors were actually specialized limbless lizards with sophisticated chemical sensing ability for hunting and capable skulls to capture huge preys sliding along. These evolutionary changes have resulted in significant diversification among snakes over the past 66 million years which makes them distinct from other reptiles. In fact, according to the study, snakes are evolving three times faster than related lizard species.
The evolution of snakes: major results and implications
According to Daniel Rabosky, an evolutionary biologist and senior author of the science paper. This research shows us what it takes to be an evolutionary winner. For instance, research supports that some areas of snakes are evolving faster than those seen for other lizards. Thus they can take advantage of opportunities not available to other lizards.
Labowski stressed that unlike its ancestors and other reptiles like it, snake adaptations have gone beyond improved hunting strategies. To do this experiment researchers constructed one thousand snake and lizard partial genomes resulting in the largest known phylogeny for these clades ever built on molecular sequence data as well as dietary data on thousands of museum specimens derived from stomach content analysis.
Adaptive radiation – unraveling nature’s mystery
This study also found significant variation among species in feeding techniques locomotion and sensory processing abilities. The rapid diversification phenomenon is called adaptive radiation and remains a great puzzle for scientists studying evolution today.
