Meeting Abstract

2.5  Thursday, Jan. 3  Ecomorphology among populations of the western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis BUCKLEY, C.R.*; ADOLPH, S.C.; IRSCHICK, D.J.; University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Harvey Mudd College; University of Massachusetts, Amherst crcbuck@gmail.com

Correlations among morphology, performance, and ecology are well understood at broad taxonomic levels, as demonstrated by the large body of work devoted to the ecomorphology of lizards. However, relatively few studies have examined these relationships within species. Intraspecific studies are important because divergence among populations is the first step in the process of evolution. The western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, occupies diverse habitats throughout the western United States, making it an ideal candidate for ecomorphological studies at the population level. We collected lizards from four different populations in southern and central California, representing different latitudes and altitudes and a range of temperatures and habitats. We compared these animals� habitat use with the available habitat structure in their environment. Animals at all of our study sites chose perches nonrandomly, and the nature of perches chosen varied by habitat, with lizards in desert environments perching higher than those in mountain environments. We also examined the relationships among body shape, sprinting performance, bite force, and habitat use within and among the four populations. Here we discuss the implications for evolutionary divergence along a latitudinal and elevation gradient in these animals.