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Concept
Anolis ecomorphs
Résumé
The ecomorph concept is a term first coined by Ernest Edward Williams in 1972 which he defined as a “species with the same structural habitat/niche, similar in morphology and behavior, but not necessarily close phyletically.” Williams first applied this definition to the Greater Antillean anoles (specifically in Puerto Rico) upon observing their evolutionary radiation, although it has since been used widely elsewhere.
Anoles have repeatedly evolved into similar forms on different islands, dubbed 'ecomorphs'. Convergence is in microhabitat specialty, behavior, and morphology. Langerhans, Knouft & Losos call the set of Anolis lizard ecomorphs of the Greater Antilles "a classic example of convergent evolution." Jonathan Losos defined six Anolis ecomorphs according to the predominant microhabitat (e.g. grasses, open ground, different parts of trees) of the respective Anolis: crown giant, trunk-crown, trunk, trunk-ground, twig, and grass-bush.
These are anoles which inhabit the uppermost canopy of trees, they all share certain morphological characteristics such as relatively large body size, large heads, large sub-digital lamellae and serrated dorsal crest; most species are predominantly green. Crown giant anoles can be informally subdivided into long-legged species (which move by jumping from tree to tree) and short-legged species (which do not often jump and mostly crawl from one area to another). Because of their large size, these anoles can take a wide range of prey items from smaller lizards to small birds; all species are also known to consume fruit. Though they all share a similar body plan, crown giant anoles vary significantly in size from one island to the other. A few examples of crown giant anoles are shown below.
These are anoles which inhabit the uppermost reaches of the trunks of tall trees as well as the lower canopy; they are generally found several metres off the ground. Trunk-crown anole are usually predominantly green and have relatively large sub-digital toe-pads and short stout legs to aid in arboreal locomotion.
Source officielle
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