The Evolutionary Morphology of Caecilians: Development, Function, and Phylogenesis

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This project investigates the morphology and evolutionary relationships of the members of the third order of the Amphibia--the Gymnophiona. Descriptive, morphometric, developmental, and functional morphological data on bones, muscles, nerves, skin structures, and other anatomical components will be gathered to better understand the biology of this relatively rare tropical group. This will provide data so that more robust analyses of the evolutionary relationships of the species, genera, and families of the group, and their relationship to other vertebrates, can be made; the study may provide new insight into pattern and process of evolution.