SKELETAL TECHNIQUES
The bony structures of reptiles are perhaps as important in taxonomy as external characteristics. At any rate, taxonomists must prepare some specimens for skeletal studies. small snakes and lizards are cleared and stained by standard, but somewhat modified, techniques. Larger specimens are skinned and then cleaned by dermestid beetles. Because of the similarity in techniques used for all vertebrates, skeletal techniques for reptiles will be discussed in Chapter 23.