Meeting Abstract

P2-163    Investigating parallel differences in gecko toe pad shape McCann, JA*; Hagey, TJ; Mississippi University for Women ; Mississippi University for Women jennyannmccann@gmail.com http://travis-hagey.com

Geometric morphometrics has become a significant tool that allows for visualization and quantification of morphologies. While many studies have used geometric morphometrics with statistical tests that evaluate significant differences or changes in morphology, recent studies have allowed statistical comparisons of parallel morphological differences in morphospace (i.e. trajectory analyses). Our study uses geometric morphometric trajectory analysis applied to 25 genera across six families of gecko lizards (Gekkota) to investigate the diversity of their adhesive toe pads, which have been gained and lost multiple times throughout gecko’s evolutionary history. Gecko toe pad structure and their evolution has been studied extensively, as it is useful as a model for understanding the evolution of complex structures, including repeated convergent adaptation. Previous studies have also described morphologies that appear as incipient adhesive pads, defined here to mean a phenotype that possesses characteristics reminiscent of both pad-less and padded morphologies. One way convergence can be quantified is by measuring phenotypic differences and testing if the trajectory of differences is parallel. This study investigates whether differences in distantly related extant species show parallel differences. Parallel differences would be indicated by connections between groups that traverse morphospace in similar directions. If significant parallel differences in toe pad morphology are present, it could indicate strong evolutionary convergence. The results obtained from this study will allow us to better understand the evolutionary history and patterns responsible for generating the diversity across taxa that is seen today.