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