A study by researchers from Department of Biology Mayagüez University Campus (RUM) of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR)and published in the prestigious scientific journal “Science”, produced the most complete evolutionary tree of snakes and lizards, reported the press office of the university institution.
The statement maintains that the investigation was led by the Dr. Timothy J. Colstonassociate professor of the Department of Biology and director of the RUM Genomic Resources Collectionwho is also one of the co-authors of the recently published article.
Along with Colston, the doctors Daniel Rabosky, from the University of Michiganand the doctor Pascal Title of Stony Brooks University in NYwere part of the investigative effort.
Likewise, it was indicated that much of the extensive research work was carried out in the laboratory of the Dr. Robert Alexander Pyron at George Washington University in Washington D.C.using samples from the Genomic Resources Collection of the UPR's Mayagüez campus, which includes species from Ethiopia, Mexico, Colombia and Guyana.
The study generated what experts consider to be the largest and most complete evolutionary tree of these reptiles created by sequencing partial genomes of almost 1,000 species..
To do this, a huge set of facts about the diets of lizards and snakes by analyzing records of the stomach contents of tens of thousands of specimens preserved in museums.
“We have discovered that Snakes represent a unique evolutionary phenomenon, a peculiarity. When they lost their legs and adopted the more familiar appearance we know today, they experienced explosive increases in their evolutionary rates, They invaded new habitats and expanded their ecological nichesproducing dramatically more species than lizards,” Colston said in a statement.
The article also details findings that indicate that Snakes evolved up to three times faster than lizards.with massive changes in traits associated with feeding, movement, and sensory processing.
“That we are recognized by (the magazine) 'Science' represents being at the top of academic publications in the field of biology. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this study. I believe that the participation of the RUM is evidence of world class research that is carried out here and shows the value of our natural history collections for the international community,” the professor reiterated.
The study was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and with funds from various agencies.