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Ekhator C, Varshney A, Young MW, Tanis D, Granatosky MC, Diaz RE, Molnar JL. Locomotor characteristics of the ground-walking chameleon Brookesia superciliaris. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 339:602-614. [PMID: 37260090 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the locomotor characteristics of early diverging ground-walking chameleons (members of the genera Brookesia, Rhampholeon, Palleon, and Rieppeleon) can help to explain how their unique morphology is adapted to fit their environment and mode of life. However, nearly all quantitative studies of chameleon locomotion thus far have focused on the larger "true arboreal" chameleons. We investigated kinematics and spatiotemporal gait characteristics of the Brown Leaf Chameleon (Brookesia superciliaris) on different substrates and compared them with true arboreal chameleons, nonchameleon lizards, and other small arboreal animals. Brookesia exhibits a combination of locomotor traits, some of which are traditionally arboreal, others more terrestrial, and a few that are very unusual. Like other chameleons, Brookesia moved more slowly on narrow dowels than on broad planks (simulating arboreal and terrestrial substrates, respectively), and its speed was primarily regulated by stride frequency rather than stride length. While Brookesia exhibits the traditionally arboreal trait of a high degree of humeral protraction at the beginning of stance, unlike most arboreal tetrapods, it uses smaller shoulder and hip excursions on narrower substrates, possibly reflecting its more terrestrial habits. When moving at very slow speeds, Brookesia often adopts an unusual footfall pattern, lateral-sequence lateral-couplets. Because Brookesia is a member of one of the earliest-diverging groups of chameleons, its locomotion may provide a good model for an intermediate stage in the evolution of arboreal chameleons. Thus, the transition to a fully arboreal way of life in "true arboreal" chameleons may have involved changes in spatiotemporal and kinematic characteristics as well as morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuyem Ekhator
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | | | - Melody W Young
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Daniel Tanis
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Michael C Granatosky
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York, USA
- Center for Biomedical Innovation College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Raul E Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Julia L Molnar
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York, USA
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2
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Young MW, Granatosky MC, Avey‐Arroyo JA, Butcher MT, Dickinson E. Grip it good:
in vivo
grip force across substrate diameters in the brown‐throated three‐toed sloth (
Bradypus variegatus
). J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.13041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. W. Young
- Department of Anatomy New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Old Westbury NY USA
| | - M. C. Granatosky
- Department of Anatomy New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Old Westbury NY USA
- Center for Biomedical Innovation New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Old Westbury NY USA
| | | | - M. T. Butcher
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences Youngstown State University Youngstown OH USA
| | - E. Dickinson
- Department of Anatomy New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Old Westbury NY USA
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3
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Tolley KA. Is it like night and day? Nocturnal versus diurnal perch use by dwarf chameleons ( Bradypodion pumilum). AFR J HERPETOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2022.2098392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Krystal A Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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4
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Siddall R, Byrnes G, Full RJ, Jusufi A. Mechanisms for mid-air reorientation using tail rotation in gliding geckos. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:478-490. [PMID: 34143210 PMCID: PMC8427175 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Arboreal animals face numerous challenges when negotiating complex three-dimensional terrain. Directed aerial descent or gliding flight allows for rapid traversal of arboreal environments, but presents control challenges. Some animals, such as birds or gliding squirrels, have specialized structures to modulate aerodynamic forces while airborne. However, many arboreal animals do not possess these specializations but still control posture and orientation in mid-air. One of the largest inertial segments in lizards is their tail. Inertial reorientation can be used to attain postures appropriate for controlled aerial descent. Here, we discuss the role of tail inertia in a range of mid-air reorientation behaviors using experimental data from geckos in combination with mathematical and robotic models. Geckos can self-right in mid-air by tail rotation alone. Equilibrium glide behavior of geckos in a vertical wind tunnel show that they can steer toward a visual stimulus by using rapid, circular tail rotations to control pitch and yaw. Multiple coordinated tail responses appear to be required for the most effective terminal velocity gliding. A mathematical model allows us to explore the relationship between morphology and the capacity for inertial reorientation by conducting sensitivity analyses, and testing control approaches. Robotic models further define the limits of performance and generate new control hypotheses. Such comparative analysis allows predictions about the diversity of performance across lizard morphologies, relative limb proportions, and provides insights into the evolution of aerial behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Siddall
- Locomotion in Biorobotic and Somatic Systems Group, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Greg Byrnes
- Department of Biology, Siena College, 515 Loudon Rd, New York, 12211, USA
| | - Robert J Full
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 3040 Valley Life Sciences Building 3140, California, 94720-3140, USA
| | - Ardian Jusufi
- Locomotion in Biorobotic and Somatic Systems Group, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
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5
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Storks L, Leal M. Sleeping Behavior of the Secretive Puerto Rican Twig Anole, Anolis occultus. CARIBB J SCI 2020. [DOI: 10.18475/cjos.v50i1.a18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Levi Storks
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - Manuel Leal
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, U.S.A
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6
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Comparative epidermal microstructure anatomy and limb and tail osteology of eyelid geckos (Squamata: Eublepharidae): Implications of ecomorphological adaptations. ZOOL ANZ 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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7
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Luger AM, Ollevier A, De Kegel B, Herrel A, Adriaens D. Is variation in tail vertebral morphology linked to habitat use in chameleons? J Morphol 2019; 281:229-239. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Allison M. Luger
- Department of Evolutionary Biology of VertebratesGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Anouk Ollevier
- Department of Evolutionary Biology of VertebratesGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Barbara De Kegel
- Department of Evolutionary Biology of VertebratesGhent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Anthony Herrel
- Department of Evolutionary Biology of VertebratesGhent University Ghent Belgium
- Département Adaptations du Vivant, Bâtiment d'Anatomie ComparéeUMR 7179 C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N Paris France
| | - Dominique Adriaens
- Department of Evolutionary Biology of VertebratesGhent University Ghent Belgium
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8
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Tolley KA, Hopkins KP, da Silva JM. Genetic structure associated with habitat diversification supports the independent evolution of ecomorphs inBradypodion pumilum. AFR J HERPETOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2019.1646324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Krystal A Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kevin P Hopkins
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jessica M da Silva
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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9
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Vasilopoulou‐Kampitsi M, Goyens J, Baeckens S, Van Damme R, Aerts P. Habitat use and vestibular system's dimensions in lacertid lizards. J Anat 2019; 235:1-14. [PMID: 30993713 PMCID: PMC6579939 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The vestibular system is crucial for movement control during locomotion. As the dimensions of the vestibular system determine the fluid dynamics of the endolymph and, as such, the system's function, we investigate the interaction between vestibular system size, head size and microhabitat use in lizards. We grouped 24 lacertid species in three microhabitat types, we acquired three-dimensional models of the bony vestibular systems using micro-computer tomography scanning, and we performed linear and surface measurements. All vestibular measurements scale with a negative allometry with head size, suggesting that smaller heads house disproportionally large ears. As the sensitivity of the vestibular system is positively related to size, a sufficiently large vestibular system in small-headed animals may meet the sensitivity demands during challenged locomotion. We also found that the microhabitat affects the locomotor dynamics: lizards inhabiting open microhabitats run at higher dimensionless speeds. On the other hand, no statistical relationship exists between dimensionless speed and the vestibular system dimensions. Hence, if the vestibular size would differ between microhabitats, this would be a direct effect (i.e. imposed, for instance, by requirements for manoeuvring, balance control, etc.), rather than depending on the lizards' intrinsic running speed. However, we found no effect of the microhabitat on the allometric relationship between head and vestibular system size. The finding that microhabitat is not reflected in the vestibular system size (hence sensitivity) of the lacertids in this study is possibly due to spatial constraints of the skull.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jana Goyens
- Department of BiologyLaboratory of Functional MorphologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Simon Baeckens
- Department of BiologyLaboratory of Functional MorphologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- Department of BiologyLaboratory of Functional MorphologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Peter Aerts
- Department of BiologyLaboratory of Functional MorphologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
- Department of Movement and Sports SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
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10
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Van Kleeck MJ, Smith TA, Holland BS. Paedophagic cannibalism, resource partitioning, and ontogenetic habitat use in an invasive lizard. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2018.1441190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas A.H. Smith
- Department of Biology, University of Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Brenden S. Holland
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, Kaneohe, HI 96744-5297, USA
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11
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Foster KL, Garland T, Schmitz L, Higham TE. Skink ecomorphology: forelimb and hind limb lengths, but not static stability, correlate with habitat use and demonstrate multiple solutions. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen L Foster
- University of California, Riverside, University Ave., Riverside, CA, USA
- University of Ottawa, Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Theodore Garland
- University of California, Riverside, University Ave., Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Lars Schmitz
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Scripps, and Pitzer Colleges, N Mills Ave., Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Timothy E Higham
- University of California, Riverside, University Ave., Riverside, CA, USA
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12
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Hill IDC, Dong B, Barnes WJP, Ji A, Endlein T. The biomechanics of tree frogs climbing curved surfaces: a gripping problem. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.168179. [PMID: 29361584 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.168179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The adhesive mechanisms of climbing animals have become an important research topic because of their biomimetic implications. We examined the climbing abilities of hylid tree frogs on vertical cylinders of differing diameter and surface roughness to investigate the relative roles of adduction forces (gripping) and adhesion. Tree frogs adhere using their toe pads and subarticular tubercles, the adhesive joint being fluid-filled. Our hypothesis was that on an effectively flat surface (adduction forces on the largest 120 mm diameter cylinder were insufficient to allow climbing), adhesion would effectively be the only means by which tree frogs could climb, but on the 44 and 13 mm diameter cylinders, frogs could additionally utilise adduction forces by gripping the cylinder either with their limbs outstretched or by grasping around the cylinder with their digits, respectively. The frogs' performance would also depend on whether the surfaces were smooth (easy to adhere to) or rough (relatively non-adhesive). Our findings showed that climbing performance was highest on the narrowest smooth cylinder. Frogs climbed faster, frequently using a 'walking trot' gait rather than the 'lateral sequence walk' used on other cylinders. Using an optical technique to visualise substrate contact during climbing on smooth surfaces, we also observed an increasing engagement of the subarticular tubercles on the narrower cylinders. Finally, on the rough substrate, frogs were unable to climb the largest diameter cylinder, but were able to climb the narrowest one slowly. These results support our hypotheses and have relevance for the design of climbing robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain D C Hill
- Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Benzheng Dong
- Institute of Bioinspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Yudao Street, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - W Jon P Barnes
- Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Aihong Ji
- Institute of Bioinspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Yudao Street, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Thomas Endlein
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Heisenbergstraβe 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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13
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A multivariate approach to understanding shifts in escape strategies of urban lizards. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2307-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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14
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Higham TE, Measey GJ, Birn-Jeffery AV, Herrel A, Tolley KA. Functional divergence between morphs of a dwarf chameleon: differential locomotor kinematics in relation to habitat structure. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy E. Higham
- Department of Biology; University of California; 900 University Avenue Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - G. John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology; Department of Botany & Zoology; Stellenbosch University; Merriman Avenue Stellenbosch South Africa
| | | | - Anthony Herrel
- Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle; 55 rue Buffon 75005 Paris France
- Ghent University; Evolutionary Morphology of Vertebrates; K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35 B-9000 Gent Belgium
| | - Krystal A. Tolley
- Applied Biodiversity Research Division; South African National Biodiversity Institute; Claremont 7735 Cape Town South Africa
- Department of Botany & Zoology; Stellenbosch University; Merriman Avenue Stellenbosch South Africa
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15
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Herrel A, Perrenoud M, Decamps T, Abdala V, Manzano A, Pouydebat E. The effect of substrate diameter and incline on locomotion in an arboreal frog. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 216:3599-605. [PMID: 24006344 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.090027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Frogs are characterized by a unique morphology associated with their saltatory lifestyle. Yet, arboreal species show morphological specializations relative to other ecological specialists allowing them to hold on to narrow substrates. However, almost nothing is known about the effects of substrate characteristics on locomotion in frogs. Here, we quantified the 3D kinematics of forelimb movement for frogs moving across branches of different diameters (1 and 40 mm) and two different inclines (horizontal and 45 deg uphill). Our results show that grip types differ while moving across substrates of different diameters and inclines. The kinematics of the wrist, elbow and shoulder as well as the body position relative to the substrate also showed significant effects of individual, diameter and incline. Kinematic differences involved duration, velocity of movement and angular excursions. Differences were most pronounced for the proximal joints of the forelimb and effects for substrate diameter were greater than for incline. Interestingly, the effects of diameter and incline on both grip type and kinematics are similar to what has been observed for lizards and primates, suggesting that the mechanics of narrow substrate locomotion drive the kinematics of movement independent of morphology and phylogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Herrel
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S./M.N.H.N., Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité, 57 rue Cuvier, Case postale 55, 75231 Paris Cedex 5, France.
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16
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Silva JM, Herrel A, Measey GJ, Vanhooydonck B, Tolley KA. Linking microhabitat structure, morphology and locomotor performance traits in a recent radiation of dwarf chameleons. Funct Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. Silva
- Applied Biodiversity Research Division South African National Biodiversity Institute Private Bag X7 Claremont 7735 Cape Town South Africa
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602 Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Anthony Herrel
- Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle 57 rue Cuvier Case postale 55 75231 Paris Cedex 5 France
| | - G. John Measey
- Department of Zoology Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University P.O. Box 77000 Port Elizabeth 6031 South Africa
| | - Bieke Vanhooydonck
- Department of Biology University of Antwerp Universiteitsplein 1 B‐2610 Antwerpen Belgium
| | - Krystal A. Tolley
- Applied Biodiversity Research Division South African National Biodiversity Institute Private Bag X7 Claremont 7735 Cape Town South Africa
- Department of Zoology Stellenbosch University Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602 Stellenbosch South Africa
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17
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Segall M, Tolley KA, Vanhooydonck B, Measey GJ, Herrel A. Impact of temperature on performance in two species of South African dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion pumilum and B. occidentale. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 216:3828-36. [PMID: 23868845 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.092353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Temperature is an extrinsic factor that influences reptile behavior because of its impact on reptile physiology. Understanding the impact of temperature on performance traits is important as it may affect the ecology and fitness of ectothermic animals such as reptiles. Here, we examined the temperature dependence of performance in two species of South African dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion): one adapted to a semi-arid environment and one to a mesic environment. Ecologically relevant performance traits were tested at different temperatures to evaluate their thermal dependence, and temperature-performance breadths for 80% and 90% of each performance trait were calculated. Our results show distinct differences in the thermal dependence of speed- versus force-related performance traits. Moreover, our results show that the semi-arid species is better adapted to higher temperatures and as such has a better chance of coping with the predicted increases in environmental temperature. The mesic area-adapted species seems to be more sensitive to an increase in temperature and could therefore potentially be threatened by the predicted future climate change. However, further studies investigating the potential for acclimation in chameleons are needed to better understand how animals may respond to future climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Segall
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S./M.N.H.N., Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité, 57 rue Cuvier, Case postale 55, 75231, Paris Cedex 5, France
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18
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Tolley KA, Townsend TM, Vences M. Large-scale phylogeny of chameleons suggests African origins and Eocene diversification. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20130184. [PMID: 23536596 PMCID: PMC3619509 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oceanic dispersal has emerged as an important factor contributing to biogeographic patterns in numerous taxa. Chameleons are a clear example of this, as they are primarily found in Africa and Madagascar, but the age of the family is post-Gondwanan break-up. A Malagasy origin for the family has been suggested, yet this hypothesis has not been tested using modern biogeographic methods with a dated phylogeny. To examine competing hypotheses of African and Malagasy origins, we generated a dated phylogeny using between six and 13 genetic markers, for up to 174 taxa representing greater than 90 per cent of all named species. Using three different ancestral-state reconstruction methods (Bayesian and likelihood approaches), we show that the family most probably originated in Africa, with two separate oceanic dispersals to Madagascar during the Palaeocene and the Oligocene, when prevailing oceanic currents would have favoured eastward dispersal. Diversification of genus-level clades took place in the Eocene, and species-level diversification occurred primarily in the Oligocene. Plio-Pleistocene speciation is rare, resulting in a phylogeny dominated by palaeo-endemic species. We suggest that contraction and fragmentation of the Pan-African forest coupled to an increase in open habitats (savannah, grassland, heathland), since the Oligocene played a key role in diversification of this group through vicariance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal A Tolley
- Applied Biodiversity Research Division, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Claremont 7735, Cape Town, South Africa.
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19
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Da Silva JM, Tolley KA. Ecomorphological variation and sexual dimorphism in a recent radiation of dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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20
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Sustaita D, Pouydebat E, Manzano A, Abdala V, Hertel F, Herrel A. Getting a grip on tetrapod grasping: form, function, and evolution. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2013; 88:380-405. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Sustaita
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Connecticut; 75 N. Eagleville Road; Storrs; CT; 06269-3043; USA
| | - Emmanuelle Pouydebat
- Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité; UMR 7179 C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N; 57 rue Cuvier; 75231; Paris; France
| | - Adriana Manzano
- CONICET-UADER; Matteri y España, (3105); Entre Ríos; Argentina
| | - Virginia Abdala
- Instituto de Herpetología; Fundación Miguel Lillo-CONICET; Miguel Lillo 251; Tucumán; Argentina
| | - Fritz Hertel
- Department of Biology; California State University; 18111 Nordhoff Street; Northbridge; CA; 91330-8303; USA
| | - Anthony Herrel
- Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité; UMR 7179 C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N; 57 rue Cuvier; 75231; Paris; France
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21
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Edwards S, Vanhooydonck B, Herrel A, Measey GJ, Tolley KA. Convergent evolution associated with habitat decouples phenotype from phylogeny in a clade of lizards. PLoS One 2012; 7:e51636. [PMID: 23251601 PMCID: PMC3520956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Convergent evolution can explain similarity in morphology between species, due to selection on a fitness-enhancing phenotype in response to local environmental conditions. As selective pressures on body morphology may be strong, these have confounded our understanding of the evolutionary relationships between species. Within the speciose African radiation of lacertid lizards (Eremiadini), some species occupy a narrow habitat range (e.g. open habitat, cluttered habitat, strictly rupicolous, or strictly psammophilic), which may exert strong selective pressures on lizard body morphology. Here we show that the overall body plan is unrelated to shared ancestry in the African radiation of Eremiadini, but is instead coupled to habitat use. Comprehensive Bayesian and likelihood phylogenies using multiple representatives from all genera (2 nuclear, 2 mitochondrial markers) show that morphologically convergent species thought to represent sister taxa within the same genus are distantly related evolutionary lineages (Ichnotropis squamulosa and Ichnotropis spp.; Australolacerta rupicola and A. australis). Hierarchical clustering and multivariate analysis of morphological characters suggest that body, and head, width and height (stockiness), all of which are ecologically relevant with respect to movement through habitat, are similar between the genetically distant species. Our data show that convergence in morphology, due to adaptation to similar environments, has confounded the assignment of species leading to misidentification of the taxonomic position of I. squamulosa and the Australolacerta species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley Edwards
- Applied Biodiversity Research Division, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Herrel A, Tolley KA, Measey GJ, da Silva JM, Potgieter DF, Boller E, Boistel R, Vanhooydonck B. Slow but tenacious: an analysis of running and gripping performance in chameleons. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [PMID: 23197094 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.078618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Chameleons are highly specialized and mostly arboreal lizards characterized by a suite of derived characters. The grasping feet and tail are thought to be related to the arboreal lifestyle of chameleons, yet specializations for grasping are thought to exhibit a trade-off with running ability. Indeed, previous studies have demonstrated a trade-off between running and clinging performance, with faster species being poorer clingers. Here we investigate the presence of trade-offs by measuring running and grasping performance in four species of chameleon belonging to two different clades (Chamaeleo and Bradypodion). Within each clade we selected a largely terrestrial species and a more arboreal species to test whether morphology and performance are related to habitat use. Our results show that habitat drives the evolution of morphology and performance but that some of these effects are specific to each clade. Terrestrial species in both clades show poorer grasping performance than more arboreal species and have smaller hands. Moreover, hand size best predicts gripping performance, suggesting that habitat use drives the evolution of hand morphology through its effects on performance. Arboreal species also had longer tails and better tail gripping performance. No differences in sprint speed were observed between the two Chamaeleo species. Within Bradypodion, differences in sprint speed were significant after correcting for body size, yet the arboreal species were both better sprinters and had greater clinging strength. These results suggest that previously documented trade-offs may have been caused by differences between clades (i.e. a phylogenetic effect) rather than by design conflicts between running and gripping per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Herrel
- UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Département d'Ecologie et de Gestion de la Biodiversité, 57 rue Cuvier, Case postale 55, 75231, Paris Cedex 5, France
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