Evolution and morphological diversity of Gekkota (Squamata) autopodium: an ecological approach

Abstract

The infraorder Gekkota (Squamata) comprises one of the most diversified and widespread groups of terrestrial vertebrates. Among the most studied aspects in gekkonids, those related to autopodium morphology in the context of locomotion biomechanics stand out, as well its relationships with a diversity of micro-habitats occupied by the group. These animals autopodium can present variations in external and osteological morphology that are related to the presence of adhesive subdigital structures, despite these relationships have not been formally tested by means of an evolutive and ecological approach, using several species of Gekkota. The present research proposal aims to quantify the autopodium morphological diversity, using approximately 15 gecko species of Sphaerodactylidae, Phyllodactylidae and Gekkonidae families, in order to verify whether the osteological parameters anatomy are correlated with external format of autopodium, posteriorly inferring the relations between these associations (osteology - external morphology) and the micro-habitats differential use. The external morphometric measures will be obtained by electronic caliper and micrometer, and the osteologicals measures will be inferred from the specimen's autopodium radiographies. The species classification regarding preferential use of micro-habitats will be based in ecological information available in literature. This project highlights the innovation of using refined comparative methods to infer relationships between external and osteological morphology, enabling the interpretation of these associations under the optics of functional morphology and eco-morphology. (AU)