Anatomische Anpassungen des Atmungssystems des Apothekerskinks (Scincus scincus)

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Werner Baumgartner
• Subject Area: Systematics and Morphology (Zoology)
• Term: from 2012 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 222112796

The sandfish (Scincus scincus) is a lizard having the remarkable ability to move in desert sand in a swimming-like fashion over significant distances at remarkable velocities when submerged in sand. It is well adapted through evolution to live in loose aeolian sand by different morphological, physiological and behavioral features. In the last years we could clarify different aspects of the friction reducing and abrasion resistant integument and of the locomotion of the sandfish. One aspect of this fascinating animal that is still enigmatic is the breathing. It is till now unclear how the sandfish manages to breath in fine, loose aeolian sand at depth down to about half a meter. To shine light on this question we plan to measure the oxygen consumption of the sandfish dependent on its locomotive activity. Furthermore we want to determine quantitative parameters for the hinterance of gas exchange of the aeolian sand. Additionally we would like to clarify the exact morphology of the lungs and of the respiratory duct in order to see if special morphological adaptations have developed. All these investigations will be carried out on sandfish species as well as on the closely related lizard Eumeces schneiderii, which does not perform sand swimming. This comparison should allow determination of specific adaptations caused by the adaptation to sand swimming.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants