Snake Origins and the Evolution of Squamata

Dr. Jack Conrad
Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, New York City

Sunday, February 21, 2010 2:00 P.M. Room 319
American Museum of Natural History New York City

Snake origins are one of the most problematic areas for paleontologists and evolutionary biologists. The earliest known snakes are approximately 100 million years old and come from western Asia. Some of these Cretaceous snakes, including Pachyrhachis problematicus and Haasiophis terrasanctus show aquatic adaptations and well-developed hind limbs, making them apparent intermediates between dolichosaur-type mosasaurs and modern snakes. But the story is never that simple, is it?

Although some phylogenetic analyses suggest that snakes are close relatives of mosasaurs, others suggest that they are more closely related to modern geckos, or even iguanas. Dr. Conrad will discuss the importance of broadly sampling squamate taxa to search for snake origins. More than twenty independent squamate radiations have become limb reduced and elongate. Which group of limbed squamates is most closely related to snakes? Is this even the question we should be asking? Come out for a discussion of the evidence from a morphological perspective based on data from fossils and living taxa including osteological, brain, and myological characters.

N.Y.P.S. MEETING DATES FOR THE YEAR

These are the meeting dates of the New York Paleontological Society for the 2009-2010 season. We meet at 2:00 P.M. in room 319 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City (79th Street and Central Park West). Please check the Newsletter for information regarding the annual party. Due to changes in the museum’s schedule, the above dates may change (usually very unlikely), so check your Newsletter or the monthly meeting notice on this website.

September 13, 2009*	December 5, 2009	March 21, 2010
October 18, 2009	January 17, 2010	April 18, 2010
November 15, 2009	February 21, 2010	May 16, 2010
* NOTE: All the above dates are third Sundays of their respective months, except September which is the second Sunday.