Testing an inference of function from structure: Snake vertebrae do the twist

Abstract

The zygapophyses and zygosphene–zygantrum articulations of snake vertebrae are hypothesized to restrict or eliminate vertebral torsion. This hypothesis is apparently based solely on the inference of function from structure, despite the limitations of such inferences, as well as contradictory observations and measurements. In this study, I observed and measured axial torsion in gopher snakes, Pituophis melanoleucus. To examine the structural basis of axial torsion, I measured the vertebral articulation angles along the body and the insertion angles of five epaxial muscles. To examine torsion in a natural behavior, I digitized video images and measured the degree of apparent axial torsion during terrestrial lateral undulation. Finally, I measured the mechanical capacity of the vertebral joints for actual torsion over intervals of 10 vertebrae in fresh, skinned segments of the trunk. Vertebral articulation angles vary up to 30° and are associated with variation in torsional capacity along the trunk. The freely crawling P. melanoleucus twisted up to 2.19° per vertebra, which produced substantial overall torsion when added over several vertebrae. The vertebral joints are mechanically capable of torsion up to 2.89° per joint. Therefore, despite the mechanical restriction imposed by the complex articulations, vertebral torsion occurs in snakes and appears to be functionally important in several natural behaviors. Even in cases in which mechanical function appears to be narrowly constrained by morphology, specific functions should not be inferred solely from structural analyses. J. Morphol. 241:217–225, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.