Meeting Abstract
Geckos are renowned for their diverse ecology and morphology. However, the vast majority of work on this group has centered either on the anatomy or function of their toepads, or on their phylogenetic relationships. However, relatively little effot has been devoted to synthesize how their toepads, toepad function, body form have co-evolved in a macroevolutionary framework. Over several years, our laboratories have been synthesizing ecological, functional, and morphological data, and evolutionary analyses show new insights into how the complex behavior of geckos has evolved. On the one hand, mechanics may explain much of the increase in adhesive ability both among and within species, and also, the radiation into key habtiats (e.g., rocks) may have lead to new adhesive abilities. Finally, the evolution of gecko feet is noted by remarkable convergence and evolutionary lability, which has followed to a a large extent the evolution of body shape. Together, these data point towards a complex view of a dynamic and changing lineage.
