Snake Ancestor Had Ankles and Toes

by Laura Geggel, Staff Writer | May 20, 2015 09:50am ET

Millions of years ago, the common ancestor of all living snakes — a long creature with tiny hind limbs as well as ankles and toes — could be found slithering over the damp soil of forests in search of soft-bodied prey, a new study finds.

In the first comprehensive reconstruction of ancestral snakes, the researchers analyzed the fossils, DNA and anatomy of 73 species of snake and lizard.

Their findings suggest that the most recent common ancestor of snakes was likely nocturnal, evolved on land and lived in the warm, damp forests of the Southern Hemisphere about 128 million years ago, they said. 

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Evolutionary biology: Why cattle, pigs only have two toes

Date:

June 18, 2014

Source:

Universität Basel

Summary:

During evolutionary diversification of vertebrate limbs, the number of toes in even-toed ungulates such as cattle and pigs was reduced and transformed into paired hooves. Scientists have identified a gene regulatory switch that was key to evolutionary adaption of limbs in ungulates. The study provides insights into the molecular history of evolution.

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Roger Brown's Dog Chews His Toes Off In Brazil, Indiana

Let's hope this dog isn't lack-toes intolerant.

Roger Brown, of Brazil. Ind., woke up Wednesday morning to find his trusty puppy licking his feet.

Oh yeah, the dog had also chewed two of his toes off.

According to WISH TV, the 6-month oldpit bull puppy -- named "Bo" -- completely gnawed off Brown's big and small toe on his left foot before Brown wake at around 4:30 a.m.

Brown is diabetic and was suffering from a foot infection, which is likely why he didn't feel the affectionate gnawing.

Police do not consider the incident an attack.

The man told WTHITV that he believes it was his own fault for not properly wrapping up the blistering infection on his foot. According to the New York Daily News, doctors believe that Bo may have been trying to help his owner.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/13/roger-brown-toes-dog_n_3435259.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news