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{{Short description|Reptile scales with ridges}}
[[Image:AB Keeled Scales.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Keeled scales on a [[Colubridae|colubrid]]
snake, ''[[Amphiesma stolatum]]'']]
[[Image:AB Keeled Scales.jpg|thumb|Keeled scales on a [[colubrid]] snake, ''[[Amphiesma stolatum]]'']]
⚫
'''Keeled scales''' refer to [[reptile]] scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale,<ref name="C&L04">[[Jonathan A. Campbell|Campbell, J.A.]], [[species:William W. Lamar|Lamar, W.W.]] (2004). ''The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere''. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Associates. 870 pp. 1,500 plates. {{ISBN|0-8014-4141-2}}.</ref> making them rough to the touch. According to Street's (1979) description of European [[lizard]]s and [[snake]]s, in those that have keeled scales the keels are usually stronger in male specimens and are consistently arranged according to the species of reptiles, even though many others do not have them. With European lizards, the dorsal scales are usually well keeled, while those on the flanks are more weakly keeled and those on the belly smooth.<ref name="Str79">Street, Donald (1979). ''The Reptiles of Northern and Central Europe''. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. 268 pp. {{ISBN|0-7134-1374-3}}.</ref> Non-European lizards such as ''[[Sphaerodactylus macrolepis]]'' also display keeled scales. <ref>{{Cite journal|last1=DAZA|first1=JUAN D.|last2=PINTO|first2=BRENDAN J.|last3=THOMAS|first3=RICHARD|last4=HERRERA-MARTINEZ|first4=ALEXANDRA|last5=SCANTLEBURY|first5=DANIEL P.|last6=GARCÍA|first6=LUIS F. PADILLA|last7=BALARAMAN|first7=RAJESH P.|last8=PERRY|first8=GAD|last9=GAMBLE|first9=TONY|date=2019-12-19|title=<p><strong>The sprightly little sphaerodactyl: Systematics and biogeography of </strong><br /><strong>the Puerto Rican dwarf geckos <em>Sphaerodactylus</em> (Gekkota, Sphaerodactylidae)</strong></p>|url=https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4712.2.1|journal=Zootaxa|volume=4712|issue=2|pages=151–201|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4712.2.1|pmid=32230683 |issn=1175-5334}}</ref>


⚫
Klauber (1997) describes how the keels on the scales of ''[[Crotalus]]'' [[rattlesnakes]] are particularly strong mid-dorsally, but gradually weaken on the lateral rows with the ventral scales being smooth. He then references a 1938 study, stating that it "has suggested that the keels may have an adaptive advantage in reducing shininess, that otherwise might lead to discovery by enemies."<ref name="Kla97">{{Cite book |last=Klauber |first=Laurence Monroe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mpTKB1P5VEYC |title=Rattlesnakes: Their Habits, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind |publisher=University of California Press |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-520-21056-1 |edition=2nd |volume=1 |page=354 |language=en |via=Google Books}}</ref>
[[Image:Viperaberus1.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Keeled scales on a common European [[viperidae|viper]] - ''[[Vipera berus]]''. (click on photo for a more detailed view)]]


The purposes of keeled scales are largely understudied, but some other uses may include locomotion in arboreal and grass-dwelling species.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gans |first=Carl |author-link=Carl Gans |date=1962 |title=Terrestrial Locomotion without Limbs |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3881207 |journal=American Zoologist |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=167–182 |doi=10.1093/icb/2.2.167 |jstor=3881207 |issn=0003-1569}}</ref> Water collection has been shown in some rattlesnakes, though the nanostructure of the scales is thought to be more significant than the macrostructure (keel) of the scales. <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Phadnis |first1=Akshay |last2=Manning |first2=Kenneth C. |last3=Schuett |first3=Gordon W. |last4=Rykaczewski |first4=Konrad |date=2019-12-17 |title=Role of Scale Wettability on Rain-Harvesting Behavior in a Desert-Dwelling Rattlesnake |journal=ACS Omega |language=en |volume=4 |issue=25 |pages=21141–21147 |doi=10.1021/acsomega.9b02557 |issn=2470-1343 |pmc=6921647 |pmid=31867507}}</ref>
⚫
[[Image:Vipera-xanthina-1a.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Ottoman viper]] - showing the typical non-reflective appearance of reptiles with keeled scales]]


⚫
In some [[viperines]], most notably those of the genus ''[[Echis]]'', the lateral scales are not only keeled, but the keels have minute serrations. The snakes use this in a warning and threat display: the body is arranged into a series of parallel C-shaped (counterlooped) coils that they rub together continuously to produce a sizzling sound, rather like water on a hot plate. This method of making sound is called [[stridulation]].<ref name="Mal03">[[species:David Mallow|Mallow, D.]], [[species:David Ludwig|Ludwig, D.]], [[species:Göran Nilson|Nilson, G.]] (2003). ''True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers''. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. {{ISBN|0-89464-877-2}}.</ref>
⚫
'''Keeled scales''' refer to [[reptile]] scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale,<ref name="C&L04">Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.</ref> making them rough to the touch. According to Street's (1979) description of European [[lizard]]s and [[snake]]s, in those that have keeled scales the keels are usually stronger in male specimens and are consistently arranged according to the species of reptiles, even though many others do not have them. With European lizards, the dorsal scales are usually well keeled, while those on the flanks are more weakly keeled and those on the belly smooth.<ref name="Str79">Street D. 1979. The Reptiles of Northern and Central Europe. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. 268 pp. ISBN 0-7134-1374-3.</ref>


==Gallery==
⚫
Klauber (1997), describes how the keels on the scales of [[Crotalus|rattlesnakes]] are particularly strong mid-dorsally, but gradually weaken on the lateral rows with the ventral scales being smooth. He stated that the function of the keels was uncertain, but that since they reduced shininess, and thus made it easier for the animals to conceal themselves, it afforded them an evolutionary advantage.<ref name="Kla97">Klauber LM. 1997. Rattlesnakes: Their Habitats, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind. Second Edition. First published in 1956, 1972. University of California Press, Berkeley. ISBN 0-520-21056-5.</ref>
<gallery>
Image:Hornviper_Cerastes_cerastes.jpg|[[Horned desert viper]] (''Cerastes cerastes'')
Image:Bitis arietans.jpg|[[Puff adder]] (''Bitis arietans'')
Image:Viperaberus1.jpg|[[Common European adder]] (''Vipera berus'')
Image:Crotalus cerastes mesquite springs CA-2.jpg|[[Horned rattlesnake]] (''Crotalus cerastes'')
Image:Crotalus atrox Portrait 070731.jpg|[[Western diamondback rattlesnake]] (''Crotalus atrox'')
⚫
Image:Montivipera xanthina.JPG|[[Ottoman viper]] shows typical non-reflective appearance of reptiles with keeled scales
Image:Crotalus horridus (5).jpg|[[Timber rattlesnake]] (''Crotalus horridus'')
Image:Echis carinatus head sal.jpg|''[[Echis carinatus]]''
Image:Bothropoides_neuwiedi_-_Jardim_Zoológico_de_Brasília_-_DSC09973.JPG|[[Bothrops neuwiedi]] (''Neuwied's lancehead'')
Image:Keeled_Scales_on_skin_of_Puff_Adder_IMG_0875.JPG|[[Puff Adder]] (Bitis arietans)
</gallery>


==References==
Keeled scales scatter light differently when compared to smooth, flat scales. As a result, most reptiles with keeled scales are not shiny: they have a dull, non-reflective appearance.
{{Reflist}}

⚫
In some [[Viperinae|vipers]], most notably those of the genus ''[[Echis]]'', the lateral scales are not only keeled, but the keels have minute serrations. The snakes use this in a warning/threat display: the body is arranged into a series of parallel C-shaped (counterlooped) coils that they rub together continuously to produce a sizzling sound, rather like water on a hot plate. This method of making sound is called [[stridulation]].<ref name="Mal03">Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.</ref>

==Cited references==
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>


[[Category:Snake scales]]
[[Category:Snake scales]]

Latest revision as of 02:14, 27 August 2024

Keeled scales on a colubrid snake, Amphiesma stolatum

Keeled scales refer to reptile scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale,[1] making them rough to the touch. According to Street's (1979) description of European lizards and snakes, in those that have keeled scales the keels are usually stronger in male specimens and are consistently arranged according to the species of reptiles, even though many others do not have them. With European lizards, the dorsal scales are usually well keeled, while those on the flanks are more weakly keeled and those on the belly smooth.[2] Non-European lizards such as Sphaerodactylus macrolepis also display keeled scales. [3]

Klauber (1997) describes how the keels on the scales of Crotalus rattlesnakes are particularly strong mid-dorsally, but gradually weaken on the lateral rows with the ventral scales being smooth. He then references a 1938 study, stating that it "has suggested that the keels may have an adaptive advantage in reducing shininess, that otherwise might lead to discovery by enemies."[4]

The purposes of keeled scales are largely understudied, but some other uses may include locomotion in arboreal and grass-dwelling species.[5] Water collection has been shown in some rattlesnakes, though the nanostructure of the scales is thought to be more significant than the macrostructure (keel) of the scales. [6]

In some viperines, most notably those of the genus Echis, the lateral scales are not only keeled, but the keels have minute serrations. The snakes use this in a warning and threat display: the body is arranged into a series of parallel C-shaped (counterlooped) coils that they rub together continuously to produce a sizzling sound, rather like water on a hot plate. This method of making sound is called stridulation.[7]

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Campbell, J.A., Lamar, W.W. (2004). The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Associates. 870 pp. 1,500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
  2. ^ Street, Donald (1979). The Reptiles of Northern and Central Europe. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. 268 pp. ISBN 0-7134-1374-3.
  3. ^ DAZA, JUAN D.; PINTO, BRENDAN J.; THOMAS, RICHARD; HERRERA-MARTINEZ, ALEXANDRA; SCANTLEBURY, DANIEL P.; GARCÍA, LUIS F. PADILLA; BALARAMAN, RAJESH P.; PERRY, GAD; GAMBLE, TONY (2019-12-19). "

    The sprightly little sphaerodactyl: Systematics and biogeography of
    the Puerto Rican dwarf geckos Sphaerodactylus (Gekkota, Sphaerodactylidae)

    "    . Zootaxa. 4712 (2): 151–201. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4712.2.1. ISSN 1175-5334. PMID 32230683.
  4. ^ Klauber, Laurence Monroe (1997). Rattlesnakes: Their Habits, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). University of California Press. p. 354. ISBN 978-0-520-21056-1 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Gans, Carl (1962). "Terrestrial Locomotion without Limbs". American Zoologist. 2 (2): 167–182. doi:10.1093/icb/2.2.167. ISSN 0003-1569. JSTOR 3881207.
  6. ^ Phadnis, Akshay; Manning, Kenneth C.; Schuett, Gordon W.; Rykaczewski, Konrad (2019-12-17). "Role of Scale Wettability on Rain-Harvesting Behavior in a Desert-Dwelling Rattlesnake". ACS Omega. 4 (25): 21141–21147. doi:10.1021/acsomega.9b02557. ISSN 2470-1343. PMC 6921647. PMID 31867507.
  7. ^ Mallow, D., Ludwig, D., Nilson, G. (2003). True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
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