Ecological Associations of Autopodial Osteology in Neotropical Geckos

Author(s)

Rothier, Priscila S. ; Brandt, Renata ; Kohlsdorf, Tiana

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Morphology; v. 278, n. 3, p. 290-299, MAR 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Coevolution of form and function inspires investigation of associations between morphological variation and the exploitation of specific ecological settings. Such relationships, based mostly on traits of external morphology, have been extensively described for vertebrates, and especially so for squamates. External features are, however, composed by both soft tissues and bones, and these likely play different biomechanical roles during locomotion, such as in the autopodia. Therefore, ecological trends identified on the basis of external morphological measurements may not be directly correlated with equivalent variation in osteology. Here, we investigate how refined parameters of autopodial osteology relate to ecology, by contrasting climbing and nonclimbing geckos. Our first step consisted of inferring how external and osteological morphometric traits coevolved in the group. Our results corroborate the hypothesis of coevolution between external and osteological elements in the autopodia of geckos, and provides evidence for associations between specific osteological traits and preferred locomotor habit. Specifically, nonclimbers exhibit longer ultimate and penultimate phalanges of Digit V in the manus and pes and also a longer fifth metatarsal in comparison with climbers, a pattern discussed here in the context of the differential demands made upon locomotion in specific ecological contexts. Our study highlights the relevance of osteological information for discussing the evolution of ecological associations of the tetrapod autopodium. (C) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/07650-6 - Ecology, evolution and development (Eco-Evo-Devo) in the Brazilian herpetofauna
• Grantee: Tiana Kohlsdorf
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/26287-7 - Associations of developmental modules and ecological diversity during the morphological evolution of phalanges in Gekkota (Squamata)
• Grantee: Priscila de Souza Rothier Duarte
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 16/01558-3 - Facultative sex allocation in response to Operational or Juvenile Sex Ratios in the brown anole, Anolis sagrei
• Grantee: Renata Brandt Nunes
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 11/18868-1 - Evolution of meristic and morphometric diversity in the Autopodium of Squamata: patterns, processes and mechanisms
• Grantee: Tiana Kohlsdorf
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/14125-0 - Integrative analysis of sexual dimorphism in lizards: morphology, functional significance and selection
• Grantee: Renata Brandt Nunes
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/03953-7 - Modular evolution of the autopodium in Gekkota (Squamata): integrating morphology, ecology and function
• Grantee: Priscila de Souza Rothier Duarte
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• FAPESP's process: 12/18269-3 - Evolution and morphological diversity of Gekkota (Squamata) autopodium: an ecological approach
• Grantee: Priscila de Souza Rothier Duarte
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation