Left column, top to bottom:
–A. luteogularis (crown giant)
–A. homolechis (trunk-ground)
–A. heterodermus (twig)
Right column, top to bottom:
–A. porcatus (trunk-crown)
–A. distichus (trunk)
–A. pulchellus (grass-bush)
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.”[1] 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.[2]
Anoles have repeatedly evolved into similar forms on different islands, dubbed 'ecomorphs'. Convergence is in microhabitat specialty, behavior, and morphology.[3] Langerhans, Knouft & Losos call the set of Anolis lizard ecomorphs of the Greater Antilles "a classic example of convergent evolution."[4][5] 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.[5][6]
- ^ Williams, Ernest E. (1972). "3. The Origin of Faunas. Evolution of Lizard. Congeners in a Complex. Island Fauna: A Trial Analysis". In T. Dobzhansky; et al. (eds.). Evolutionary Biology. Meredith Corporation. pp. 47–89. refer page 72
- ^ Research Summary. Archived March 29, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Losos Laboratory. Harvard University. January 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ 2009 Anolis symposium. Ernest Williams. Harvard University. Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ Langerhans, Knouft & Losos (2006) Evolution, vol. 6, p.362.
- ^ a b Topic: Anolis lizard ecomorphs. Map of Life: Convergent Evolution Online. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ Anolis lizard ectomorphs. Map of Life. 10 September 2013.