SEMINAR: Snake Evolution and Vision.

Much of what we know about the (especially molecular) details of vertebrate vision physiology and evolution comes from studies of mammals, birds and fish. 'Lower' tetrapods have thus far been relatively overlooked. Snakes would seem to be an especially interesting system for vision biology studies for several reasons. They are a speciose and ecologically diverse group; their eyes are highly divergent, even from their closest reptilian relatives; and anatomical studies have demonstrated a great diversity of retinal photoreceptor patterns. Snake eye anatomy has also played an important role in debates about the ecology of the ancestral snake. In this talk I will summarise some background data and present new information that is coming to light through a joint London-Perth research project.