What constrains adaptive radiation? Documentation and explanation of under-evolved morphologies in Anolis lizards.

ABSTRACT: Adaptive radiations fill ecological and morphological space during evolutionary diversification. Why do some trait combinations evolve during such radiations, whereas others do not? 'Required' constraints of pleiotropy and developmental interaction frequently are implicated in explanations for such patterns, but selective forces also may discourage particular trait combinations. Here, we use a dataset of 351 species to demonstrate the dearth of some theoretically plausible trait combinations of limb, toe and tail length in Anolis lizards. For example, disproportionately few Anolis species display long limbs and short toes. We evaluate recovered patterns within three species of Anolis, and find that cladewide patterns are not evident at intraspecific levels. For example

SUBMITTER: Poe S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8242926 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature