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EVOLUTIONARY IMPLICATIONS OF PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN THE HINDLIMB OF THE LIZARD ANOLIS SAGREI
Author(s) -
Losos Jonathan B.,
Creer Douglas A.,
Glossip Danielle,
Goellner Ron,
Hampton Aaron,
Roberts Glenn,
Haskell Norman,
Taylor Peter,
Ettling Jeff
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.84
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1558-5646
pISSN - 0014-3820
DOI - 10.1111/j.0014-3820.2000.tb00032.x
Subject(s) - anolis , biology , lizard , phenotypic plasticity , hatchling , autotomy , plasticity , iguanidae , trait , ecology , evolutionary biology , sauria , physics , hatching , computer science , programming language , thermodynamics
.— Species of Anolis lizards that use broad substrates have long legs, which provide enhanced maximal sprint speed, whereas species that use narrow surfaces have short legs, which permit careful movements. We raised hatchling A. sagrei in terraria provided with only broad or only narrow surfaces. At the end of the experiment, lizards in the broad treatment had relatively longer hindlimbs than lizards in the narrow treatment. These results indicate that not only is hindlimb length a plastic trait in these lizards, but that this plasticity leads to the production of phenotypes appropriate to particular environments. Comparison to hindlimb lengths of other Anolis species indicates that the range of plasticity is limited compared to the diversity shown throughout the anole radiation. Nonetheless, this plasticity potentially could have played an important role in the early stages of the Caribbean anole radiation.