Cladistic Relationships Among Anoles (Sauria: Iguanidae)

• DOI: 10.2307/2413112
• Publication Date: 2006-05-10T19:44:12Z
• Authors: Craig Guyer; Jay M. Savage
• Keywords: Anolis; Sensu; Osteology

Relationships among lizards of the anole genera Chamaeleolis, Chamaelinorops, Phenacosaurus, and Anolis (sensu lato) are discussed based upon a cladistic analysis osteological, karyological, albumin immunological data. Osteological data support sister-group relationship carolinensis subsection beta section anoles, while anoles bimaculatus-tatellus-cybotes, cuvieri series, latifrons series sequentially more distantly related to terminal cluster. Karyological five major groupings. One these groups represents those forms with primitive karyotype for includes: Phenacosaurus; cuvieri, cybotes, series; most subsection. Two advanced karyotypes characterize cristatellus bimaculatus spectively. The remaining two population possesses modal both suggesting saltatorial evolution chromosomes within making difficult determination relations groupings karyotypes. Albumin close section, related. Within lato), distinct monophyletic lineages recognized as genera. (placed in genus Dactyloa) is derived relative presence autotomic septa on caudal vertebrae reduced numbers aseptate vertebrae. Semiurus) shares other conditions shape parietal, parietal cresting, total number parasternal ribs, attached but lacks condition occipital region anoles. bimaculatus-cristatellus-cybotes Ctenonotus) sents lineage possessing ribs interclavicle. lineages—the section—are linked by interclavicle diagnosed lumbar constitutes Anolis. processes placed Norops. This systematic arrangement eliminates paraphyletic nature alpha punctatus Although some aspects current distribution patterns must be due dispersal events, it appears that vicariant events provided impetus separation into their ranges. On basis cladogram areas recent geological evidence accretional Caribbean, seems widespread ancestral throughout Central South America, connected proto-Greater Antilles bridge, was fragmented forcing part northeastward towards present location. America (Phenacosaurus Dactyloa), Hispaniola Cuba maelinorops respectively) from ancestors associated portions rest Antilles. More were added Caribbean additional activity which separated remainder Hispaniolan-Puerto Rican block Cuban-Hispaniolan block. Separation accretion blocks brought Semiurus, Ctenonotus,Anolis distributions, leaving Norops well an later become Jamaica. closing Panamanian portal allowed extensive invasion less Dactyloa.