Ecological morphology of Caribbean anoles

Anoles have evolved independently on each island in the Greater Antilles, p roducing a suite of rnorphologically-distinct species that utilize differen t microhabitats. Comparisons among islands indicate that the same set of "e comorphs"-distantly related species that are similar in morphology, ecology , and behavior-has evolved on each island. Despite considerable work on ano les over the past three decades, much remains to be learned about evolution of the ecomorphs. In particular, previous studies have focused on external measurements of gross limb proportions, tail length, mass, and number of l amellae. Using a variety of techniques, we examined these characters in gre ater detail and investigated a wide variety of other characters. We found t hat the ecomorph classes represent distinct entities in morphological space when morphological characters are examined in greater derail (e.g., each l imb element was treated separately). In addition. we found that the ecomorp hs differ in a variety of characters not previously examined, including toe pad area, pectoral and pelvic girdle dimensions, head dimensions, and rail shape. These differences were apparent regardless of how we defined body s ize, although comparisons of particular characters were affected by which b ody size variable was used. This finding indicates that convergence in ecom orph evolution extends beyond traits directly linked to habitat use and loc omotion. We also examined a number of other taxa that have not traditionall y been considered to be members of any ecomorph class. We found that many d escendants of ecomorphs living on small islands near the Greater Antilles n o longer belong to the ecomorph class of their ancestor. Many Lesser Antill ean anoles appear to be trunk-crown anoles, whereas others do not belong to any ecomorph class. Montane anoles of the Greater Antilles and Chamaelinor ops also do not belong to any ecomorph class, but Chamaeleolis. and possibl y Phenacosaurus, are twig anoles.