THOMSON, M.J.; MOUSTAKAS, J.E.; University of California; University of California: A morphological description of the nervous system of Bipes biporus

Bipes biporus is a basal member of a group of highly specialized fossorial squamates called amphisbaenians. We describe the morphology of the nervous system of Bipes biporus using an antibody to acetylated alpha-tubulin, which recognizes neuronal microtubules. The organ systems of amphisbaenians have been greatly modified and these changes appear to be adaptive for a fully terrestrial burrowing habit. Phylogenetic analyses based on skeletal characters unite this group with other fossorial squamates; however, whether these similarities are due to convergent evolution is unclear. We compare the relative sizes of different brain regions and distribution of nerves along the spinal cord of Bipes with other squamates and investigate possible relations to function and phylogenetic history.