Pareidae and Dipsadidae,two independently evolved taxa in the Serpentes lineage,both feed exclusively on terrestrial mollusks(snails and slugs).Dipsadid snakes developed hypertrophic infralabial glands in their lower ...Pareidae and Dipsadidae,two independently evolved taxa in the Serpentes lineage,both feed exclusively on terrestrial mollusks(snails and slugs).Dipsadid snakes developed hypertrophic infralabial glands in their lower jaw,which are thought to be associated with their specialized feeding behaviors.However,whether a similar gland exists in pareid snakes is unknown.In this study,we examined the morphological characteristics of the infralabial glands in Pareas berdmorei and Pareas chinensis based on comparative anatomical,histochemical,and histopathological analysis.Our results demonstrated that both Pareas species had similar hypertrophied infralabial glands in the lower jaw,which consisted of tubules with mucinous properties and seromucous acini.The secretory granules of the seromucous cells also showed high electron density.The cytoplasm was rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum,mitochondria,and Golgi apparatus,suggesting that these cells may secrete protein substances,and play an important role in digesting mollusks.This study provides evidence of morphological convergence between Pareidae and Dipsadidae due to specialized diet adaptation,which will be the foundation for prospective functional research.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32220103004 and 32200363)the International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(151751KYSB20190024)+3 种基金the Sichuan Science and Technology Program(2020YFH0005)the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences,CAS(QYZDB-SSWSMC058)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS(2021370)CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative(2021VBA0003)(Hussam El Dine ZAHER)。
文摘Pareidae and Dipsadidae,two independently evolved taxa in the Serpentes lineage,both feed exclusively on terrestrial mollusks(snails and slugs).Dipsadid snakes developed hypertrophic infralabial glands in their lower jaw,which are thought to be associated with their specialized feeding behaviors.However,whether a similar gland exists in pareid snakes is unknown.In this study,we examined the morphological characteristics of the infralabial glands in Pareas berdmorei and Pareas chinensis based on comparative anatomical,histochemical,and histopathological analysis.Our results demonstrated that both Pareas species had similar hypertrophied infralabial glands in the lower jaw,which consisted of tubules with mucinous properties and seromucous acini.The secretory granules of the seromucous cells also showed high electron density.The cytoplasm was rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum,mitochondria,and Golgi apparatus,suggesting that these cells may secrete protein substances,and play an important role in digesting mollusks.This study provides evidence of morphological convergence between Pareidae and Dipsadidae due to specialized diet adaptation,which will be the foundation for prospective functional research.
