Geometric morphometric assessment of toe shape in forest and urban lizards following hurricane disturbances

Abstract Evidence suggests that hurricanes can influence the evolution of organisms, with phenotypic traits involved in adhesion, such as toepads arboreal lizards, being particularly susceptible to natural selection during strong storms. To investigate this idea, we quantified trait variation before and after Hurricanes Irma Maria (2017) forest urban populations Puerto Rican lizard Anolis cristatellus. We found affected toe morphology differently between sites. In particular, forefeet were longer narrower forest, but wider populations, compared pre-hurricane measures. Toepads hindfeet larger area following hurricanes. Fore rear toes increased length hurricane. There no changes number lamellae scales or spacing, 6-11 shifted proximally also measured clinging performance shape. toepad lengths stronger predictors adhesive forces than Our results highlight an interaction urbanization hurricanes, demonstrating importance consider how species will respond extreme weather events. Additionally, our different for fore feet evaluating both these when measuring morphological response lizards.