Topic 1: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on Anoles, ecomorphs, and Caribbean island diversification.

Anole lizards

Caribbean lizards used to study evolution and adaptive radiation; notable for diversification into six ecomorphs across Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.

Ecomorph

A morphological and behavioral suite adapted to a specific ecological niche; in Caribbean anoles, six distinct forms with different body size, limbs, toe pads, tail length, color, and habitat.

Crown-giant

An ecomorph with body length 130–191 mm, short limbs, large toe pads (lamellae), long tail, usually green; habitat: high trunks and branches.

Trunk-crown

An ecomorph with body length 44–84 mm, short limbs, very large toe pads, long tail, green; habitat: trunks, branches, leaves.

Trunk

An ecomorph with body length 40–58 mm, intermediate limbs and toe pads, short tail, gray; habitat: trunks.

Twig

An ecomorph with body length 41–80 mm, very short limbs, small toe pads, short tail, gray; habitat: narrow twigs.

Trunk-ground

An ecomorph with body length 55–79 mm, long limbs, intermediate toe pads, long tail, brown; habitat: lower trunk and ground.

Grass-bush

An ecomorph with body length 33–51 mm, long limbs, intermediate toe pads, very long tail, brown; habitat: bushes and grasses.

Lamellae

Toe pad plates that enable adhesion to surfaces, aiding lizards in climbing.

Habitat

The ecological niche or physical environment where an organism lives (e.g., high trunks and branches, trunks, twigs, grass).

Phylogenetic tree

A branching diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species or lineages.

Caribbean Islands

Islands such as Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), and Puerto Rico where the anoles live and diversify.

Adaptive radiation

Diversification of a lineage into multiple forms to occupy different ecological niches, as seen in the six anole ecomorphs across Caribbean islands.

Convergent evolution

Independent evolution of similar traits in different lineages due to similar ecological pressures on separate islands.