Meeting Abstract
Anolis lizards have been heavily studied ecologically for their morphological niche partitioning. These lizards are known to exhibit ecomorphological trends, where several distantly related species convergently evolved to resemble each other due to similar microhabitat conditions. However, fewer studies have examined the digital features of these lizards in relation to their ecology. Anoles, like geckos, possess adhesive subdigital pads and claws on their digits that allow them to adhere and cling to a variety of substrates. Adhesive pads have been intensely studied for their multifunctionality and unique fibrillar structure. Claws, on the other hand, have been studied more frequently in an ecological context. Claw morphology has been related to habitat in other genera of lizards, such as Varanus and Liolaemus. While some relationships between digital morphology and habitat have been demonstrated for Anolis, these correlations have generally not included claw morphological characters. This study will investigate trends in digital morphology and their relationships to microhabitat and substrate use. Trends are expected to resemble those in other lizards, such as curved, short claws and large toe pads in arboreal species and uncurved, long claws and small toe pads in more terrestrial species. Studies thus far on the functional ecology of adhesive toe pads have been lacking in geckos and anoles. Examining the toe pad in the context it evolved may inform both the relevant characteristics and appropriate applications of synthetic fibrillar adhesives. Furthermore, a similar approach to studying claw morphology may help explain the functional relationship of the claws to the toe pads and to interactions with the substrate.
