Chapter 20, Problem 3Q

Summary Introduction

To review:

The evolutionary processes which are likely to explain the observed evolutionary changes. The important and unimportant processes in the evolutionary change.

Introduction:

Anole is the largest and diverse group of lizards found in America. It is the most common organism for the ecological and evolutionary studies. The two species A. carolinensis (Anole) and the A. sagrei compete with each other and are aggressive. The species of anoles have a strong association of height and structure of toe pads, which the lizards use to climb. The researchers found that the habitat of the lizards affected the evolution in the lizards.

When the A. sagrei was introduced on the islands the changes were observed. On the islands, which did not support the A. sagrei and only had A. carolinensis, no changes were observed. The researchers then collected the samples of each type and also raised an offspring of lizard in the controlled environment and they researched about the differences in the genetic basis.