1097-4687/asset/JMOR_left.gif?v=1&s=0b1d832b9f6c93909f1c042ec735bb35ccacd487)
Research Article
Skull anatomy of the miniaturized gecko Sphaerodactylus roosevelti (Squamata: Gekkota)
Article first published online: 12 AUG 2008
DOI: 10.1002/jmor.10664
Copyright © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Daza, J. D., Abdala, V., Thomas,, R. and Bauer, A. M. (2008), Skull anatomy of the miniaturized gecko Sphaerodactylus roosevelti (Squamata: Gekkota). Journal of Morphology, 269: 1340–1364. doi: 10.1002/jmor.10664
Publication History
- Issue published online: 13 OCT 2008
- Article first published online: 12 AUG 2008
Funded by
- Graduate Biology Program
- Department of Biology
- Decanato de Estudios Graduados e Investigación (DEGI) at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus
- NSF. Grant Number: DEB-0515909
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Gekkonomorpha;
- Gekkota;
- Sphaerodactylidae;
- Sphaerodactylinae;
- Sphaerodactylus roosevelti;
- comparative anatomy
Abstract
A detailed description of the skull and jaw of the gecko Sphaerodactylus roosevelti is presented. The bones are described articulated and isolated with special consideration given to the type of suture among joining elements. S. roosevelti was compared with 109 gekkotan species to evaluate the osteological variation and to find characters for cladistic analysis. Changes in the skull associated with the miniaturization process are discussed within the sphaerodactylid geckos. A noticeable increase of overlapping sutures was observed in the snout of the smallest sphaerodactylids compared to other gekkotans. This pattern is convergent with that in miniaturized pygopodids and may be attributed to adaptations for decreasing mechanical resistance of the cranium during feeding or burrowing. New cranial characters support Sphaerodactylinae as a monophyletic group and should be useful for resolving questions such as their relationship with other gekkotans. J. Morphol. 269:1340–1364, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.