How do bones help determine whether fossilized remains are a lizard and not a snake?
Lizards and snakes are both reptiles, but they have many different characteristics. One of the most obvious differences is their body shape. Lizards have legs, while snakes do not. However, there are some lizards that have lost their legs, and some snakes that have evolved to have leg-like structures.
One of the most important ways to determine whether a fossilized remain is a lizard or a snake is to look at the bones. Lizards have a skull with two temporal fenestrae, or openings behind the eyes. Snakes have a skull with only one temporal fenestra. Lizards also have a quadrate bone, which is a bone that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Snakes do not have a quadrate bone.
In addition to the skull, there are other bones that can help to distinguish between lizards and snakes. Lizards have a pelvis, which is a bone that supports the hind legs. Snakes do not have a pelvis. Lizards also have a sternum, which is a bone that supports the chest. Snakes do not have a sternum.
Related questions and answers:
- What is the most obvious difference between lizards and snakes? Lizards have legs, while snakes do not.
- Which bone can help to distinguish between lizards and snakes? The quadrate bone.
- Do snakes have a sternum? No.
- Do lizards have a pelvis? Yes.
- What are two other characteristics that can help to distinguish between lizards and snakes? The presence of temporal fenestrae and the shape of the skull.
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