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The axial skeleton of the tuatara (Rhynchocephalia: Sphenodon)

2026-04Artigo científico Acesso aberto
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dc.contributor.authorBeccari, Victor
dc.contributor.authorJones, Marc E.H.
dc.contributor.authorVilla, Andrea
dc.contributor.authorMartino, Roberta
dc.contributor.authorRegnault, Sophie
dc.contributor.authorGlaw, Frank
dc.contributor.authorRauhut, Oliver W.M.
dc.contributor.institutionDCT - Departamento de Ciências da Terra
dc.contributor.institutionGeoBioTec - Geobiociências, Geoengenharias e Geotecnologias
dc.contributor.institutionFaculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT)
dc.contributor.pblBlackwell Publishing Ltd
dc.date.accessioned2026-04-27T09:32:02Z
dc.date.available2026-04-27T09:32:02Z
dc.date.issued2026-04
dc.descriptionPublisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Linnean Society of London.
dc.description.abstractAbstract As the sole living rhynchocephalian, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) provides important comparative information for fossil rhynchocephalians and lepidosaurs in general regarding expected intraspecific variability, ontogeny, and sexual dimorphism. The axial skeleton of Sphenodon punctatus is described here in detail, using Computed Tomography (CT)-scans and a comprehensive sample (N = 33) of different ontogenetic stages and sexes. The new description adds to already existing literature, and confirms some consistent morphological characters, such as number of vertebrae, position of accessory processes, and ossification patterns. We conducted 3D geometric morphometrics analyses to better understand regionalization of the axial skeleton, ontogenetic changes, and sexual dimorphism in Sphenodon. The morphology of presacral vertebrae is influenced by size and shows negative allometry, with increasing relative height of the neural spine, but decreasing relative vertebral width and length in larger individuals. We compare the morphology and ontogenetic implications of Sphenodon with Mesozoic fossil relatives. Some taxa, especially those from the Jurassic of Europe, show substantial differences in number, proportions, and morphology of vertebrae, including shifts in ossification timing, loss of vertebral intercentra, and changes in rib morphology. We highlight osteological features, such as ossification timing and morphology, that may correlate with taxonomy, systematics, and ecomorphology of Mesozoic rhynchocephalians.en
dc.description.versionpublishersversion
dc.description.versionpublished
dc.format.extent33404680
dc.identifier.doi10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf135
dc.identifier.issn0024-4082
dc.identifier.otherPURE: 161419157
dc.identifier.otherPURE UUID: 315c0d23-ba6a-4a5a-9bdb-eb94cb920cf8
dc.identifier.otherScopus: 105035315778
dc.identifier.otherWOS: 001730378700001
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10362/202564
dc.identifier.urlhttps://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105035315778
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.subjectAnatomy
dc.subjectGeometric morphometrics
dc.subjectLepidosauria
dc.subjectNew Zealand
dc.subjectEcology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
dc.subjectAnimal Science and Zoology
dc.titleThe axial skeleton of the tuatara (Rhynchocephalia: Sphenodon)en
dc.title.subtitleinsights on intraspecific variability, ontogeny, sexual dimorphism, and remarks on fossil taxaen
dc.typejournal article
degois.publication.issue4
degois.publication.titleZoological Journal Of The Linnean Society
degois.publication.volume206
dspace.entity.typePublication
rcaap.rightsopenAccess

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