Geometric morphometry of populations of Anolis tropidonotus (Peters 1863, Squamata: Dactyloidae) of contrasting hábitats

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the variation in the shape and size of two populations of A. tropidonotus from two habitats with contrasting vegetation and environmental characteristics. Design/methodology/approach: 26 specimens of A. tropidonotus were collected and photographed and using the TPSdig 2 program, three type I landmarks, eight type II and nine semi landmarks were placed. The landmarks configuration patterns were evaluated with generalized procrust and principal component analysis to detect microvariations in the individuals of the two populations. Results: Our results show intra and inter population morphogeometric variation in A. tropidonotus. Limitations on study/implications: The morphomegeometric variation recorded in the populations of A. tropidonutus which may be due to factors such as biological barriers, clinal variations within the same habitat, competition for territory, different reproductive behaviors in a percentage of the population, and reproductive and physical barriers that generate differentiation between and within the populations of A. tropidonotus. Findings/conclusions: A. tropidonotus showed a wide diversity of shapes in its morphometric characters, which through the application of geometric morphometry, we distinguish different ecotypes in the evaluated populations.