Convergent evolution of tail spines in squamate reptiles driven by microhabitat use

ABSTRACT: The repeated evolution of convergent or analogous traits is often used as evidence for adaptive evolution. Squamate reptiles show a high degree of convergence in a variety of morphological traits; however, the evolutionary mechanisms driving these patterns are not fully understood. Here, we investigate the evolution of tail spines, a trait that evolved multiple times in evolutionarily independent clades of lizards. Taking a comparative phylogenetic approach, we use 2877 squamate species to demonstrate that the evolution of spiny tails is correlated with microhabitat use, with species that live in rocky habitats significantly more likely to have evolved spiny tails. In the light of previous behavioural observations, our results suggest that spiny-tailed lizards have an advantage in rocky ha

SUBMITTER: Ramm T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7058953 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature