Does the Morphology of the Forelimb Flexor Muscles Differ Between Lizards Using Different Habitats?

LOWIE, AURÉLIEN; MANZANO, ADRIANA S.; HERREL, ANTHONY; FABRE, ANNE-CLAIRE; ABDALA, VIRGINIA

ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

WILEY-LISS, DIV JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Lugar: New York; Año: 2018 vol. 301 p. 424 - 433

1932-8486

Lizards are an interesting group to study how habitat use impactsthe morphology of the forelimb because they occupy a great diversity ofecological niches. In this study, we specifically investigated whether habitatuse impacts the morphology of the forelimb flexor muscles in lizards.To do so, we performed dissections and quantified the physiological crosssectional area (PCSA), the fiber length, and the mass of four flexormuscles in 21 different species of lizards. Our results show that only thePCSA of the m. flexor carpi radialis is different among lizards with differentecologies (arboreal versus non-arboreal). This difference disappeared,however, when taking phylogeny into account. Arboreal species have ahigher m. flexor carpi radialis cross sectional area likely allowing them toflex the wrist more forcefully which may allow them climb and hold on tobranches better. In contrast, other muscles are not different betweenarboreal and non-arboreal species. Further studies focusing on additionalanatomical features of the lizard forelimb as well as studies documentinghow lizards use the arboreal niche are needed to fully understand how anarboreal life style may constrain limb morphology in lizards. Anat Rec,301:424?433, 2018.