Utilising 3D digital technology to identify vertebral numbers in colubrid snakes (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Türkiye

Akgün R. O., Bozkurt E., Olgun K., YILMAZ C., Üzüm N., ILGAZ Ç., ...Daha Fazla

Zoology in the Middle East, cilt.71, sa.2, ss.135-142, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 71 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/09397140.2025.2508538
  • Dergi Adı: Zoology in the Middle East
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Animal Behavior Abstracts, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Environment Index, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.135-142
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: 3-dimensional digital technology, Muhtarophis barani, Number of vertebrae, Rhynchocalamus melanocephalus, Rhynchocalamus satunini
  • Hakkari Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The number of vertebrae in snakes varies between genera and closely related species, and is influenced by factors such as ecology, behaviour, sex, and prey. In this study, we aimed to determine the number of vertebrae in three species of colubrid snakes in Türkiye, Rhynchocalamus melanocephalus, Rhynchocalamus satunini, and the Anatolian endemic Muhtarophis barani. 3D models were produced from cone beam computed tomography data for the snakes. Precloacal, cloacal and caudal vertebrae counts were performed on 3D models. Sexual dimorphism in the number of vertebrae was found in M. barani and R. melanocephalus insofar as the number of precloacal vertebrae was higher in females than in males, while the number of caudal vertebrae was higher in males than in females. The number of precloacal vertebrae in M. barani was lower than in the other two species, whereas the number of caudal vertebrae was higher.