Boas and pythons possess a unique superpower !
🐍 Boas and pythons possess a unique superpower !
🙈Infrared-sensing pits that allow them to detect warm-blooded prey in complete darkness.
They evolved these innovations in heat detection which played a role in the ecology of these snakes.
🕵A new study reveals that labial pits have evolved multiple times and have led to a strong preference for an arboreal lifestyle and an endothermia-based diet.
👀Surprisingly, they did not increase diversification rates, challenging traditional views of key innovations.
🐲These findings shed light on how sensory adaptations shape ecological niches, offering new insights into the evolution of these fascinating predators in nature.
👉More:
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2025.0199
Biswas Aritra, Ghosh Avrajjal and Agashe Madhura. 2025. In ‘hot’ pursuit: exploring the evolutionary ecology of labial pits in boas and pythons. Proc. R. Soc. B.
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#nature #conservation #herpetology #boas #pythons #snakes #evolution #ecology
Naturalist, traveler, French-Polish herpetologist, interested in biodiversity and the conservation of herpetofauna. I have always been passionate about observing and studying amphibians and reptiles, especially different species of lizards in many countries. This has allowed me to gain experience in scientific research by collaborating with other specialists, attending numerous conferences and writing papers on herpetofauna. I participate in numerous monitoring and conservation programmes. Member of the IUCN SSC Monitor Lizard Specialist Group. Addicted to Natural History.
Education and the sharing of knowledge is the key to progress and understanding.
"Learning from the past to understand the present and prepare the future."
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Thanks for posting - fascinating study. Great to see it published as open access too.
Thank you for your comment, it motivates to share knowledge
I think sensory ecology is something that is not much talked about. This is really insightful. Thank you so much for sharing!