Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 77 (4): 599-606, 2004
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Structure of claws and toes of two tropidurid lizard species of Restinga from Southeastern
Brazil: adaptations to the vertical use of the habitat
Tropidurus torquatus and Liolaemus lutzae, found in a restinga
habitat, show some morphological differences associated with differential microhabitats use. There were made measurements of the
snout-vent length, length and width of the largest toe of hand and foot, and length, width, height and curvature of the claws. We counted
the number of adhesive lamellae of the largest toe of each member. T. torquatus has larger toes, greater
number of adhesive lamellae and higher and more curve claws than L. lutzae. No significant differences in toe and claw
widths were found. These results suggest that the differences found in the morphology of toes and claws of these two species would
be associated with the differential microhabitat use. T. torquatus has morphological adaptations that allow it to use the
microhabitat both vertically or horizontally, while L. lutzae use it only horizontally.
Key words:
Tropiduridae,
ecomorphology, lizard, claw, microhabitat use
