Meeting Abstract

12-2  Monday, Jan. 4 10:30  Evolution of habitat use, body shape and toepad shape in geckos KULYOMINA, J*; CROSBY, A; FEDERLE, W; MOEN, D; IRSCHICK, D; University of Massachusetts at Amherst; University of Massachusetts at Amherst; Cambridge University; University of Massachusetts at Amherst; University of Massachusetts at Amherst julia.kulyomina@verizon.net http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/irschick/

Many gecko species have evolved to survive in the various environments around the world. Our research is focused on connecting the relationship between the geckos’ natural environment to the body and toepad shape of the species. This was done by measuring various body parts of geckos across a 154 of species, determining their natural substrate, and comparing this information with data on toepad shape that is previously published. We conduct all of these analyses in a phylogenetic analysis. Our measurements clearly show that gecko species that adhere to leaves and ground have the smallest average size. While species that live on a combined substrate of rocks and tree trunks are typically several-fold larger. Our data also reveal interesting and previously unknown relationships between body shape, toepad shape and ecology in this important and diverse group. Our work therefore opens new doors on the evolution of adhesion in the context of the natural substrates that geckos use.