Squamates

Squamates (from the Latin *squama*, meaning "scale") are a major order of reptiles that includes lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians (worm lizards). This diverse group comprises over 10,000 extant species, making it the largest order of reptiles and one of the most successful and varied groups of vertebrates. Key characteristics uniting squamates include possessing overlapping scales, a highly kinetic skull that allows for flexible jaw movement, and a hemipenis in males. Their evolutionary history is traced back to the Permian period, showcasing significant adaptive radiations into diverse habitats and ecological niches. They exhibit significant variation in size, diet, and behavior. They play crucial roles in many ecosystems.

Squamates meaning with examples

• The herpetologist carefully examined the squamates in the vivarium, noting the intricate patterns of scales and the subtle movements of their tongues as they sampled the air. She recognized several different families.
• Fossil evidence reveals a long and fascinating evolutionary journey for squamates, with early forms showing variations in limb structure that allowed for various modes of locomotion, from climbing trees to burrowing underground, providing evidence of the vast diversification.
• The study on the effects of climate change on squamates focused on their vulnerability to rising temperatures and changes in habitat suitability, examining population declines in various species as a result of loss.
• In the vast biodiversity of tropical rainforests, squamates thrive, with snakes and lizards fulfilling a variety of ecological roles from apex predators to primary consumers and prey, maintaining ecological balance.
• Many cultures hold squamates in reverence or fear, depending on their local environments. Snakes have frequently been utilized as totems to display status, symbolizing mystery and regeneration.