Embryonic Development and Cranial Ossification Sequence in Two <i>Heremites</i> Species (Squamata: Scincidae)

Although embryological studies of squamates have a long history, most groups in this large clade remain poorly studied. One such group is the family Scincidae, which consists of morphologically and ecologically diverse lizards. In this study, we describe several stages of embryonic development based...

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Main Authors: Kamil Candan, Elif Yıldırım Caynak, Kübra Oğur, Ecem Büşra Hastürk, Ahmet Gökay Korkmaz, Çetin Ilgaz, Serkan Gül, Yusuf Kumlutaş
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/12/1574
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author Kamil Candan
Elif Yıldırım Caynak
Kübra Oğur
Ecem Büşra Hastürk
Ahmet Gökay Korkmaz
Çetin Ilgaz
Serkan Gül
Yusuf Kumlutaş
author_facet Kamil Candan
Elif Yıldırım Caynak
Kübra Oğur
Ecem Büşra Hastürk
Ahmet Gökay Korkmaz
Çetin Ilgaz
Serkan Gül
Yusuf Kumlutaş
author_sort Kamil Candan
collection DOAJ
description Although embryological studies of squamates have a long history, most groups in this large clade remain poorly studied. One such group is the family Scincidae, which consists of morphologically and ecologically diverse lizards. In this study, we describe several stages of embryonic development based on cleared and stained specimens of <i>Heremites auratus</i> and <i>Heremites vittatus</i>. Our analysis indicates that the pterygoid and frontal are the first bones to be ossified at stage 34 in the skull of <i>H. auratus</i>. At stage 37, which was examined in both studied species, the ossified bones include the nasal, maxilla, parietal, prefrontal, premaxilla, postorbital, postfrontal, jugal, squamosal, quadrate, vomer, palatine and all mandible bones. In both species, the skull roof is relatively poorly ossified at stage 37. However, in <i>H. auratus</i>, the frontal and parietal bones ossify at their lateral edges at stage 37, while in <i>H. vittatus</i>, the frontal bones begin to ossify towards the midline. This suggests that ossification occurs later in <i>H. auratus</i> compared to <i>H. vittatus</i>, indicating a heterochronic pattern in ossification between these species. Additionally, pigmentation on the dorsal side of the body and scaling, which covered the entire body by stage 37 in <i>H. vittatus</i>, occur earlier compared to <i>H. auratus</i>. Compared to other scincid species, ossification in these lizards begins at a later stage but is completed earlier.
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spelling doaj-art-3014cf9ffc184e22bd3f1b85659758e52025-08-20T02:00:23ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292024-11-011412157410.3390/life14121574Embryonic Development and Cranial Ossification Sequence in Two <i>Heremites</i> Species (Squamata: Scincidae)Kamil Candan0Elif Yıldırım Caynak1Kübra Oğur2Ecem Büşra Hastürk3Ahmet Gökay Korkmaz4Çetin Ilgaz5Serkan Gül6Yusuf Kumlutaş7Section of Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, 35390 İzmir, TürkiyeSection of Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, 35390 İzmir, TürkiyeSection of Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, 35390 İzmir, TürkiyeSection of Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, 35390 İzmir, TürkiyeSection of Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, 35390 İzmir, TürkiyeSection of Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, 35390 İzmir, TürkiyeDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, 53100 Rize, TürkiyeSection of Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, 35390 İzmir, TürkiyeAlthough embryological studies of squamates have a long history, most groups in this large clade remain poorly studied. One such group is the family Scincidae, which consists of morphologically and ecologically diverse lizards. In this study, we describe several stages of embryonic development based on cleared and stained specimens of <i>Heremites auratus</i> and <i>Heremites vittatus</i>. Our analysis indicates that the pterygoid and frontal are the first bones to be ossified at stage 34 in the skull of <i>H. auratus</i>. At stage 37, which was examined in both studied species, the ossified bones include the nasal, maxilla, parietal, prefrontal, premaxilla, postorbital, postfrontal, jugal, squamosal, quadrate, vomer, palatine and all mandible bones. In both species, the skull roof is relatively poorly ossified at stage 37. However, in <i>H. auratus</i>, the frontal and parietal bones ossify at their lateral edges at stage 37, while in <i>H. vittatus</i>, the frontal bones begin to ossify towards the midline. This suggests that ossification occurs later in <i>H. auratus</i> compared to <i>H. vittatus</i>, indicating a heterochronic pattern in ossification between these species. Additionally, pigmentation on the dorsal side of the body and scaling, which covered the entire body by stage 37 in <i>H. vittatus</i>, occur earlier compared to <i>H. auratus</i>. Compared to other scincid species, ossification in these lizards begins at a later stage but is completed earlier.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/12/1574embryogenesisskull shape<i>Heremites auratus</i><i>Heremites vittatus</i>
spellingShingle Kamil Candan
Elif Yıldırım Caynak
Kübra Oğur
Ecem Büşra Hastürk
Ahmet Gökay Korkmaz
Çetin Ilgaz
Serkan Gül
Yusuf Kumlutaş
Embryonic Development and Cranial Ossification Sequence in Two <i>Heremites</i> Species (Squamata: Scincidae)
Life
embryogenesis
skull shape
<i>Heremites auratus</i>
<i>Heremites vittatus</i>
title Embryonic Development and Cranial Ossification Sequence in Two <i>Heremites</i> Species (Squamata: Scincidae)
title_full Embryonic Development and Cranial Ossification Sequence in Two <i>Heremites</i> Species (Squamata: Scincidae)
title_fullStr Embryonic Development and Cranial Ossification Sequence in Two <i>Heremites</i> Species (Squamata: Scincidae)
title_full_unstemmed Embryonic Development and Cranial Ossification Sequence in Two <i>Heremites</i> Species (Squamata: Scincidae)
title_short Embryonic Development and Cranial Ossification Sequence in Two <i>Heremites</i> Species (Squamata: Scincidae)
title_sort embryonic development and cranial ossification sequence in two i heremites i species squamata scincidae
topic embryogenesis
skull shape
<i>Heremites auratus</i>
<i>Heremites vittatus</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/12/1574
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