Episquamata
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'''Episquamata''' (meaning "top [[squamate]]s") is a large [[clade]] of [[squamate]] [[reptile]]s erected by [[Nicolas Vidal]] and [[S. Blair Hedges]] in 2005 on the basis of [[molecular phylogenetics|molecular phylogenetic]] analysis. The group encompasses the majority of living squamate diversity, including all [[snake]]s, [[iguanian]] lizards, [[anguimorph]] lizards, [[amphisbaenian]]s, [[lacertid]]s, [[Teiidae|teiid]]s, and [[gymnophthalmid]]s. Episquamata is the [[sister group]] of [[Scincomorpha]] (or Scinciformata/[[Scincoidea]]), and together they form the clade [[Unidentata]], which excludes the basally diverging [[Dibamidae|dibamids]] and [[ |
'''Episquamata''' (meaning "top [[squamate]]s") is a large [[clade]] of [[squamate]] [[reptile]]s erected by [[Nicolas Vidal]] and [[S. Blair Hedges]] in 2005 on the basis of [[molecular phylogenetics|molecular phylogenetic]] analysis. The group encompasses the majority of living squamate diversity, including all [[snake]]s, [[iguanian]] lizards, [[anguimorph]] lizards, [[amphisbaenian]]s, [[lacertid]]s, [[Teiidae|teiid]]s, and [[gymnophthalmid]]s. Episquamata is the [[sister group]] of [[Scincomorpha]] (or Scinciformata/[[Scincoidea]]), and together they form the clade [[Unidentata]], which excludes the basally diverging [[Dibamidae|dibamids]] and [[gekkota]]ns.{{cite journal |last1=Vidal |first1=Nicolas |last2=Hedges |first2=S. Blair |title=The molecular evolutionary tree of lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians |journal=[[Comptes Rendus Biologies]] |volume=332 |issue=2–3 |pages=129–139 |year=2009 |doi=10.1016/j.crvi.2008.07.010 |pmid=19281946}} |
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The name ''Episquamata'' derives from the [[Greek language|Greek]] prefix ''epi-'' ("upon, top") and [[Latin]] ''squamata'' ("scaly"), referring to the position of this clade near the top of the molecular phylogenetic tree of squamates, in contrast to the more basally branching lineages.{{cite web |title=Genealogy of scaly reptiles rewritten by new research |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/11/051122183250.htm |website=[[ScienceDaily]] |date=22 November 2005 |access-date=27 February 2026}} |
The name ''Episquamata'' derives from the [[Greek language|Greek]] prefix ''epi-'' ("upon, top") and [[Latin]] ''squamata'' ("scaly"), referring to the position of this clade near the top of the molecular phylogenetic tree of squamates, in contrast to the more basally branching lineages.{{cite web |title=Genealogy of scaly reptiles rewritten by new research |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/11/051122183250.htm |website=[[ScienceDaily]] |date=22 November 2005 |access-date=27 February 2026}} |
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=== Conflict with morphological analyses === |
=== Conflict with morphological analyses === |
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The molecular topology that defines Episquamata differs sharply from most phylogenies based on morphological data. In particular, the inclusion of [[Iguania]] within Toxicofera—and therefore within Episquamata—contradicts the long-standing morphological placement of iguanians as the most basal squamate lineage. Similarly, the grouping of [[ |
The molecular topology that defines Episquamata differs sharply from most phylogenies based on morphological data. In particular, the inclusion of [[Iguania]] within Toxicofera—and therefore within Episquamata—contradicts the long-standing morphological placement of iguanians as the most basal squamate lineage. Similarly, the grouping of [[amphisbaenia]]ns with lacertids within Laterata contrasts with morphological hypotheses that allied the limbless amphisbaenians with other burrowing lineages such as [[Dibamidae|dibamids]] or [[Serpentes|snakes]]. |
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Molecular studies have suggested that these morphological groupings may have been misled by [[convergent evolution]] associated with adaptations to burrowing and other specialized lifestyles.{{cite journal |last1=Burbrink |first1=Frank T. |last2=Grazziotin |first2=Felipe G. |last3=Pyron |first3=R. Alexander |last4=Cundall |first4=David |last5=Donnellan |first5=Steve |last6=Irish |first6=Frances |last7=Keogh |first7=J. Scott |last8=Kraus |first8=Fred |last9=Murphy |first9=Robert W. |last10=Noonan |first10=Brice |last11=Raxworthy |first11=Christopher J. |last12=Ruane |first12=Sara |last13=Lemmon |first13=Alan R. |last14=Lemmon |first14=Emily Moriarty |last15=Streicher |first15=Jeffrey W. |title=Interrogating genomic-scale data for Squamata (lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians) shows no support for key traditional morphological relationships |journal=[[Systematic Biology]] |volume=69 |issue=3 |pages=502–520 |year=2020 |doi=10.1093/sysbio/syz062 |pmid=31550008 }} |
Molecular studies have suggested that these morphological groupings may have been misled by [[convergent evolution]] associated with adaptations to burrowing and other specialized lifestyles.{{cite journal |last1=Burbrink |first1=Frank T. |last2=Grazziotin |first2=Felipe G. |last3=Pyron |first3=R. Alexander |last4=Cundall |first4=David |last5=Donnellan |first5=Steve |last6=Irish |first6=Frances |last7=Keogh |first7=J. Scott |last8=Kraus |first8=Fred |last9=Murphy |first9=Robert W. |last10=Noonan |first10=Brice |last11=Raxworthy |first11=Christopher J. |last12=Ruane |first12=Sara |last13=Lemmon |first13=Alan R. |last14=Lemmon |first14=Emily Moriarty |last15=Streicher |first15=Jeffrey W. |title=Interrogating genomic-scale data for Squamata (lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians) shows no support for key traditional morphological relationships |journal=[[Systematic Biology]] |volume=69 |issue=3 |pages=502–520 |year=2020 |doi=10.1093/sysbio/syz062 |pmid=31550008 }} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* {{ |
* {{Commons category-inline|Squamata}} |
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* {{Wikispecies-inline|Squamata}} |
* {{Wikispecies-inline|Squamata}} |
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{{Taxonbar}} |
{{Taxonbar|from=Q13518421}} |
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[[Category:Squamata]] |
[[Category:Squamata]] |
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