A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria)

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorJarvis, J U Men_ZA
dc.contributor.authorLeonard, Cecil Johnen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-03-16T10:30:37Z
dc.date.available2015-03-16T10:30:37Z
dc.date.issued1979en_ZA
dc.descriptionBibliography: leaves 342-359.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractHow and why did limblessness evolve in certain skinks? These questions are explored in certain species of the Scincidae (from southern Africa) that vary in the degree of limb reduction. This regression series consists of Mabuya capensis (with normal, pentadactyle limbs), Riopa sundevallii (with miniaturized, pentadactyle limbs), three species of the genus Scelotes (bipes, gronovii and brevipes - with vestigial hindlimbs varying in the degree of degeneration) and, finally, Acontias meleagris(without any trace of limbs). The osteology and the myology of the locomotor apparatus are described for all members of this regression series with special reference to the axial system which has in the past received but scant attention compared with the appendicular apparatus. Qualitative and morphometric data are used to construct morphoclines that are correlated with limb reduction. Numerous morphological trends and tendencies support the conclusion that the axial system hypertrophies as the appendages degenerate. The patterns of locomotion are also described for all members of the regression series. Furthermore, an ethocline, that links the limbed and limbless extremes, is postulated. Even in quadrupedal skinks the dominant appendicular system may be assisted by axial flexures that increase stride length. As limbs degenerate, appendicular progression is phased out while axial progression increases in importance.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationLeonard, C. J. (1979). <i>A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria)</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12614en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationLeonard, Cecil John. <i>"A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria)."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 1979. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12614en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationLeonard, C. 1979. A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria). University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Leonard, Cecil John AB - How and why did limblessness evolve in certain skinks? These questions are explored in certain species of the Scincidae (from southern Africa) that vary in the degree of limb reduction. This regression series consists of Mabuya capensis (with normal, pentadactyle limbs), Riopa sundevallii (with miniaturized, pentadactyle limbs), three species of the genus Scelotes (bipes, gronovii and brevipes - with vestigial hindlimbs varying in the degree of degeneration) and, finally, Acontias meleagris(without any trace of limbs). The osteology and the myology of the locomotor apparatus are described for all members of this regression series with special reference to the axial system which has in the past received but scant attention compared with the appendicular apparatus. Qualitative and morphometric data are used to construct morphoclines that are correlated with limb reduction. Numerous morphological trends and tendencies support the conclusion that the axial system hypertrophies as the appendages degenerate. The patterns of locomotion are also described for all members of the regression series. Furthermore, an ethocline, that links the limbed and limbless extremes, is postulated. Even in quadrupedal skinks the dominant appendicular system may be assisted by axial flexures that increase stride length. As limbs degenerate, appendicular progression is phased out while axial progression increases in importance. DA - 1979 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 1979 T1 - A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria) TI - A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria) UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12614 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/12614
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationLeonard CJ. A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria). [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 1979 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12614en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherZoologyen_ZA
dc.titleA functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria)en_ZA
dc.typeDoctoral Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationnamePhDen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_sci_1979_leonard_cj.pdf
Size:
6.61 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
PhD / Doctoral