Peterson - p. 7 
and climbing are more important in the latter group. Canopy animals maintain 
at least two feet in contact with the substrate while trunk and grass forms 
can use much faster gaits. This seems to suggest that balance is quite 
important at higher elevations. But the higher speeds of grass anoles 
compared to twig anoles are unlikely a matter of equilibrium alone, Different 
escape and foraging strategies related to cover and the feasibility of getting 
to the ground may be more significant than simply maintaining balance. 
4) Perch diameter and elevation are inadequate to explain the major 
differences between cybotes and distichus. Moermond's data clearly indicate 
that cybotes uses a three-dimensional foraging zone while distichus uses a 
two-dimensional, wide vertical surface, The more stereotyped substrate and 
very "two-dimensional" behavior of distichus may be responsible for species 
adaptations which converge markedly on terrestrial lizards, The trunk-ground 
zone of cybotes is, indeed, less varied than the grass or twig habitats, but 
cybotes uses the area in such a dimensional manner as to make limb mobility 
an important factor in its morphological specialization, 
The six anole ecomorphs that are briefly compared here illustrate major 
adaptive differences in behavior and functional morphology. Behavioral 
variables within the genus include the speed of movement, the amount and 
type of acrobatic movement used to change perches and the range of limb 
movement which is available to the animal. Much of the variance in behavior 
can be attributed to differences in the relationship among body size, perch 
size and distance between perches; however, foraging and escape strategies 
are necessary to account for additional differences among ecomorphs. 
The comparative morphology of anoles is directed toward the resolution 
of two conflicting selective forces: 1) that for a very mobile limb which 
allows the animal to use a highly dimensional and varied locomotor substrate, 
and 2) that for a proximal limb region which is stable enough to permit the 
transmission and generation of the larger forces associated with higher 
speeds and leaping behavior. A greater range of limb and girdle movement is 
found in ecomorphs which use acrobatic movements, particularly at low speeds, 
and small diameter perches, Greater stability is found in forms which are 
fast moving, less acrobatic and use large diameter perches, Trunk-ground 
and grass anoles which are fast acrobats on large and small diameter perches 
respectively are particularly interesting studies in functional compromise. 
Locomotor diversification in Anolis has occurred with a high degree of 
habitat specificity in behavior and innovation in functional morphology. 
The analysis to date suggests that functional morphology is adapted to 1) 
physical characteristics of the substrate, primarily perch diameter, 2) 
ecological-physical factors which influence speed of movement, and 3) 
behavioral utilization of the perch, particularly the foraging zone. 
