We all know that the anoles of the Caribbean partition the habitat based on structural environment and microclimate, leading to patterns of correlated morphology and habitat use within these ecomorphs. While we know a substantial amount about the morphological aspect of the ecomorph concept, many questions remain concerning the patterns of physiological trait evolution across Caribbean anoles and how this relates to habitat use and ecomorphology.

Brooke Bodensteiner, a PhD student in the Muñoz lab at Virginia Tech, is digging into this topic for her doctoral research. In her presentation at Evolution 2019, Brooke told us about two key questions she is attempting to address in her research: (1) Do ecomorphs overlap in physiological trait space or do they neatly differentiate into distinct groups as they do with morphology? and (2) Do thermal traits evolutionarily respond to the same microhabitat predictors?

Brooke measured thermal physiology of anoles in the Dominican Republic, including Anolis cybotes, shown here.

Brooke is investigating these questions in Hispaniolan anoles and has so far sampled 28 of the 41 species found in the Dominican Republic with representatives from all 6 ecomorphs!  The Hispaniolan anoles are particularly good for this research topic since there are representatives of each ecomorph in very diverse habitats islandwide, providing many opportunities for physiological diversification. Building on a large dataset of morphological traits, Brooke collected thermal physiology data from all 28 of these species including critical thermal minimum and maximum and preferred temperature, to try to understand the patterns of physiological diversification and how they are correlated with morphological diversification.

Brooke’s results were fascinating, but more complex and nuanced than expected. Consequently, we will only tell you that her findings are intriguing and will give us a lot to ponder regarding patterns of correlated trait evolution and environmental factors driving physiological evolution. I look forward to seeing the finalized results published soon!

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