Structure and function of the hearts of lizards and snakes

@article{Jensen2014StructureAF,
  title={Structure and function of the hearts of lizards and snakes},
  author={Bjarke Jensen and Antoon F. M. Moorman and Tobias Wang},
  journal={Biological Reviews},
  year={2014},
  volume={89}
}
With approximately 7000 species, snakes and lizards, collectively known as squamates, are by far the most species‐rich group of reptiles. It was from reptile‐like ancestors that mammals and birds evolved and squamates can be viewed as phylogenetically positioned between them and fishes. Hence, their hearts have been studied for more than a century yielding insights into the group itself and into the independent evolution of the fully divided four‐chambered hearts of mammals and birds… 
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78 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
5
Background Citations
46
Methods Citations
10
Results Citations
3

78 Citations

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It is concluded that if leatherback turtles have exceptional circulation needs, they are sustained with a relatively large but otherwise typical non-crocodylian reptile heart.
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The findings suggest that the transition to high cardiac performance does not necessarily lead to greater variation in cardiac structure, and therefore the transition from ectothermy to endothermy associated with greater variationIn cardiac structure.
Comparative analysis of avian hearts provides little evidence for variation among species with acquired endothermy
TLDR
The findings suggest that the transition to high cardiac performance does not necessarily lead to a greater variation in cardiac structure, as among mammals there are 2–3 and 1–7, respectively.
Reptiles as a Model System to Study Heart Development.
TLDR
Reptiles are placed in their phylogenetic context with a focus on features that are primitive when compared with the homologous features of mammals, including compact chamber walls and a specialized conduction system.
Heart development in the lizards (Varanidae) with the greatest extent of ventricular septation
TLDR
It is concluded that current concepts of ventricular septum formation apply well to the monitor septa and that there is evolutionary conservation of Ventricular sePTum formation among amniote vertebrates.
Development and evolution of the metazoan heart
TLDR
It is argued that endothermic ancestors lost the capacity to elevate their body temperature during evolution, resulting in ectothermic modern crocodilians, and a clinically relevant paragraph reviews the occurrence of congenital cardiac malformations in humans as derailments of signaling pathways during embryonic development.
Sequential segmental analysis of the crocodilian heart
TLDR
By applying a method of analysis and terminology usually restricted to the human heart, this work builds from the considerable existing literature to show neglected and overlooked shared features, such as the offset between the left and right atrioventricular valvar orifices.
Evolution and Development of Ventricular Septation in the Amniote Heart
TLDR
A novel function of the epicardium in ventricular development in species with partial and complete septation is investigated, to elucidate the evolution and development of this part of the vertebrate heart as well as understand the etiology of septal defects in human congenital heart malformations.
Extreme variation in the atrial septation of caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)
TLDR
Atrial septation in caecilians is based on evolutionarily conserved structures but possibly exhibits greater variation than in any other vertebrate order.
Anatomy of the heart with the highest heart rate
TLDR
The shrew heart, nevertheless, stands out by its relative size, elongation, proportionally large coronary vessels, and extent of pulmonary venous myocardium.
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References

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TLDR
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TLDR
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TLDR
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TLDR
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TLDR
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TLDR
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