Concordant evolution of locomotor behaviour, display rate and morphology in Anolis lizards

Abstract

Morphologically similar species of Anolis lizards use similar microhabitats on islands in the Greater Antilles. The habitat matrix model suggests that particular locomotor behaviours are favoured in different microhabitats, and that species evolve the morphology appropriate for a given locomotor mode. These predictions are confirmed for 13 species of Jamaican and Puerto Rican anoles. Species occupying similar microhabitats group together in a multi-dimensional ‘behaviour space’. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that limb proportions and locomotor patterns (e.g. frequency of running or jumping) have evolved in tandem. Further, the rate of rapid movements (i.e. runs and jumps) and display rate have co-evolved. A suite of relatively extreme morphological and behavioural (both locomotor and social) changes accompanied the evolution of an active foraging mode in A. valencienni. Similar, but less extreme, behavioural changes have been associated with morphological evolution among the 12 species that are sitand-wait foragers. Habitat structure is also important in determining locomotor behaviour, particularly jumping frequency and distance jumped.