The Influence of Habitat on the Morphology of Liolaemus Lizards

Abstract

The morphology of an organism reflects its lifestyle (and that of its ancestors). Biomechanical theory predicts the existence of clear relationships between morphology and habitat use, given that the physical demands acting on the locomotor system are different in different habitats. Accordingly, the phenotype provides valuable information about the relationship between morphology and habitat structure and how these associations evolve as a response to changing environment. Here, present a study about relationship between morphology and habitat use in 37 species of Liolaemus lizards females and males that exploit different habitats. The main goal is to investigate if the general morphology of the locomotor apparatus (limbs and digits) in male and female Liolaemus reveals complex relationships with their ecology. The main results were head length and interlimb length, showed differences between sexes. Males presented bigger heads and females more distance between limbs. Meanwhile, for the habitat use arenicolous and terrestrial species showed shorter digits, arm, and crus. Arboreal species showed a larger interlimb. These results provide valuable insights into the morphological variation and sexual dimorphismwithin the Liolaemus genus.