Microhabitat and adhesive toepads shape gecko limb morphology DOI Creative Commons
Anna Zimin, Sean V. Zimin, L. Lee Grismer

et al.

Integrative Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 31, 2024

Abstract Different substrates pose varied biomechanical challenges that select specific morphologies, such as long limbs for faster running and short balanced posture while climbing narrow substrates. We tested how gecko locomotion is affected by the microhabitat they occupy a key adaptation—adhesive toepads—through analyzing those are related to limb morphology. collected toepads data over 90% of limbed species, measurements 403 species from 83 121 genera, which we then used in phylogenetic comparative analyses. Our highlight association adhesive with arboreality, but analysis shows this relationship not significant, suggesting these traits phylogenetically constrained. Comparative analyses reveal pad‐bearing possess shorter hindlimbs feet, more even lengths, lower crus: thigh ratios, than padless geckos, across microhabitats. Saxicolous geckos have longest segments. This probably influenced selection strides, increased takeoff velocity, static stability on inclined surfaces. Terrestrial hind‐ forelimbs arboreal unlike patterns found other lizards. findings underline difficulty infer microhabitat–morphology relationships one taxon another, given their differing ecologies evolutionary pathways. emphasize importance innovation traits, toepads, shaping morphology and, accordingly, within immediate environment.

Language: Английский

Ecologically‐related variation of digit morphology in Cyrtodactylus (Gekkota, Squamata) reveals repeated origins of incipient adhesive toepads DOI Creative Commons
Jendrian Riedel,

K Eisele,

Mariam Gabelaia

et al.

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(7), P. 1630 - 1648

Published: May 30, 2024

Abstract Exploitation of different locomotor substrates in ecological niches has driven the evolution specialized morphological structures, and similar demands, such as structure microhabitat, often lead to convergent or parallel evolution. The adhesive toepads geckos remains understudied because paucity phylogenetically‐informed investigations candidate clades exhibiting purported incipient expression these (i.e. species having evolved some, but not all, parts complex system pad‐bearing geckos). Using Cyrtodactylus , a speciose genus with well‐established ecotypes, we tested hypothesis that microhabitats require more climbing will acquisition morphology. We measured subdigital scale area, proxy for toepad evolution, quantified shape 77 354 described species, including at least one representative each ecotype. Subdigital area increased from terrestrial through generalist saxicoline (rock‐dwelling) arboreal evolving ancestral conditions padless lizards lateromedially expanded lamella‐like scales only ecotypes. This significant link between phenotype environment supports contention scansorial, particularly arboreal, ecotypes have incipiently expressed toepads. highlights suitability this model studying ecology well being promising research on adaptive radiations. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Decoupled evolution of ventral and dorsal scales in agamid lizards: ventral keels are associated with arboreality DOI
Michael L. Yuan, Erin P. Westeen

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(7)

Published: July 1, 2024

Arboreality has evolved in all major vertebrate lineages and is often associated with morphological adaptations increased diversification concomitant accessing novel niche space. In squamate reptiles, foot, claw, tail morphology are well-studied shown to be transitions arboreality. Here, we examined a less well understood trait-the keeled scale-in relation microhabitat, climate, dynamics across diverse lizard radiation, Agamidae. We found that the ancestral agamid had dorsal but not ventral scales; further, keels evolutionarily decoupled. Ventral scales repeatedly association arboreality may advantageous reducing wear or by promoting interlocking when climbing. did find an between diversification, suggesting do allow finer-scale microhabitat partitioning observed other arboreal-associated traits. additionally relationship precipitation terrestrial species where posit function reduce scale degradation. Our results suggest facilitated lizards, highlight need for future studies explore their biomechanical climate.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Microhabitat and adhesive toepads shape gecko limb morphology DOI Creative Commons
Anna Zimin, Sean V. Zimin, L. Lee Grismer

et al.

Integrative Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 31, 2024

Abstract Different substrates pose varied biomechanical challenges that select specific morphologies, such as long limbs for faster running and short balanced posture while climbing narrow substrates. We tested how gecko locomotion is affected by the microhabitat they occupy a key adaptation—adhesive toepads—through analyzing those are related to limb morphology. collected toepads data over 90% of limbed species, measurements 403 species from 83 121 genera, which we then used in phylogenetic comparative analyses. Our highlight association adhesive with arboreality, but analysis shows this relationship not significant, suggesting these traits phylogenetically constrained. Comparative analyses reveal pad‐bearing possess shorter hindlimbs feet, more even lengths, lower crus: thigh ratios, than padless geckos, across microhabitats. Saxicolous geckos have longest segments. This probably influenced selection strides, increased takeoff velocity, static stability on inclined surfaces. Terrestrial hind‐ forelimbs arboreal unlike patterns found other lizards. findings underline difficulty infer microhabitat–morphology relationships one taxon another, given their differing ecologies evolutionary pathways. emphasize importance innovation traits, toepads, shaping morphology and, accordingly, within immediate environment.

Language: Английский

Citations

1