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A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria)
Bibliography: leaves 342-359.
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| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Department of Biological Sciences
2015
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| _version_ | 1867613195850481664 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Leonard, Cecil John |
| author2 | Jarvis, J U M |
| author_browse | Jarvis, J U M Leonard, Cecil John |
| author_facet | Jarvis, J U M Leonard, Cecil John |
| author_sort | Leonard, Cecil John |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Bibliography: leaves 342-359. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12614 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:32:17.361Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publishDateRange | 2015 |
| publishDateSort | 2015 |
| publisher | Department of Biological Sciences |
| publisherStr | Department of Biological Sciences |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12614 A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria) Leonard, Cecil John Jarvis, J U M Zoology Bibliography: leaves 342-359. 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. 2015-03-16T10:30:37Z 2015-03-16T10:30:37Z 1979 Doctoral Thesis Doctoral PhD http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12614 eng application/pdf Department of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Zoology Leonard, Cecil John A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria) |
| thesis_degree_str | Doctoral |
| title | A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria) |
| title_full | A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria) |
| title_fullStr | A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria) |
| title_full_unstemmed | A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria) |
| title_short | A functional morphological study of limb regression in some Southern African species of Scincidae (Reptilia : Sauria) |
| title_sort | functional morphological study of limb regression in some southern african species of scincidae reptilia sauria |
| topic | Zoology |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12614 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leonardceciljohn afunctionalmorphologicalstudyoflimbregressioninsomesouthernafricanspeciesofscincidaereptiliasauria AT leonardceciljohn functionalmorphologicalstudyoflimbregressioninsomesouthernafricanspeciesofscincidaereptiliasauria |