Scientists have discovered osteoderms, bony deposits embedded in the skin, in a wide range of reptiles, including Australia’s iconic monitor lizards, also known as goannas. The research, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, reveals that nearly half of all lizards (46%) possess these ancient skin bones.
The study, led by researchers from Australia, Europe, and the US, analyzed over 1,300 reptile specimens using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and compiled a comprehensive catalogue of osteoderms in squamate reptiles. The findings suggest that osteoderms provide various functions, including protection, heat regulation, mobility, and calcium storage during reproduction.
The researchers believe that osteoderms evolved in response to environmental pressures as lizards adapted to Australia’s challenging landscapes. However, the exact functions and mechanisms of osteoderms remain unclear, with many ideas yet to be studied systematically. The study provides important groundwork for future research on osteoderm function and its potential applications in biomimetics and evolutionary biology.
The discovery also sheds new light on the evolution of reptiles and their adaptations to different environments. As Dr Jane Melville, senior curator of terrestrial vertebrates at Museums Victoria Research Institute, notes, “This finding reshapes what we thought we knew about reptile evolution.”
Source: https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/animals/osteoderm-skin-bones-lizards