Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 132 Long Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
Zoology (Jena). 2011 Apr;114(2):104-12. doi: 10.1016/j.zool.2010.11.003.
Differences in habitat use are often correlated with differences in morphology and behavior, while animals in similar habitats often exhibit similarities in form and function. However, this has not been tested extensively among lizards, especially geckos. Most studies of gecko locomotion have focused on the ability to adhere to surfaces. However, there are several species of geckos that have either secondarily lost adhesive capabilities or simply lack the capability. We quantified the three-dimensional locomotor kinematics for two desert-dwelling padless geckos, Teratoscincus scincus and Eublepharis macularius, on a level trackway over a range of speeds. Our results indicate that T. scincus landed with a high relative hip height of 48.7 ± 2.4% of total limb length at footfall, while E. macularius exhibited hip heights averaging only 36.0 ± 1.8% of total limb length for footfall. The three-dimensional knee angle of T. scincus averaged 120.6 ± 3.9° at footfall, while E. macularius averaged only 101.6 ± 1.8° at footfall. In addition, the femur of E. macularius was elevated to a much greater extent (i.e., was closer to being perpendicular to the long axis of the body) than that of T. scincus and every other lizard that has been studied, suggesting they move with a "hyper-sprawled" posture. Both of these gecko species live in deserts, but T. scincus is psammophilic while E. macularius inhabits a rocky, more densely vegetated environment. Benefits of the more upright posture of T. scincus on open sandy habitat may include a greater field of view and more efficient locomotion. The more sprawled posture of E. macularius may lower its center of gravity and aid in balance while climbing on rocks or shrubs.
生境利用的差异通常与形态和行为的差异相关，而生活在相似生境中的动物往往表现出形态和功能的相似性。然而，这在蜥蜴中，尤其是壁虎中还没有得到广泛的验证。大多数壁虎运动学的研究都集中在粘附表面的能力上。然而，有几种壁虎已经或者简单地缺乏这种能力。我们在一个水平的轨道上，对两种生活在沙漠中的无垫趾壁虎，Teratoscincus scincus 和 Eublepharis macularius，进行了一系列速度的三维运动学测量。我们的结果表明，T. scincus 在落地时髋关节的相对高度很高，达到了总肢体长度的 48.7 ± 2.4%，而 E. macularius 的髋关节高度平均仅为总肢体长度的 36.0 ± 1.8%。T. scincus 在落地时的膝关节角度平均为 120.6 ± 3.9°，而 E. macularius 仅为 101.6 ± 1.8°。此外，E. macularius 的股骨被抬高到更大的程度（即更接近与身体的长轴垂直），而 T. scincus 和所有其他已经研究过的蜥蜴都没有，这表明它们以一种“超伸展”的姿势移动。这两种壁虎都生活在沙漠中，但 T. scincus 是沙生的，而 E. macularius 则栖息在岩石更多、植被更密集的环境中。T. scincus 在开阔的沙质栖息地中更直立的姿势可能带来更大的视野和更高效的运动。E. macularius 更伸展的姿势可能会降低其重心，有助于在攀爬岩石或灌木时保持平衡。
