What evolutionary pressure shapes the specialized musculature of D. viridis for movement?

Answer

Strong selection favoring the swift generation of vertical and horizontal velocity for leaping between tree branches

The fundamentally arboreal existence of *Dendroaspis viridis* dictates the physical requirements for survival within the forest canopy. Navigating thin branches and executing long leaps demands extreme agility and power. Consequently, the musculature and skeletal structure of the snake have been intensely shaped by evolutionary selection favoring explosive speed—the swift generation of both vertical and horizontal velocity necessary to cross gaps between foliage. This kinetic demand results in a body plan optimized for quick bursts of movement through the three-dimensional tree structure, differentiating its energetic needs from those of snakes adapted primarily for ground movement.

What evolutionary pressure shapes the specialized musculature of D. viridis for movement?

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