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Toe pad morphology and adhesion in the miniaturized gecko, Chatogekko amazonicus (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae).

Authors :
Griffing AH
Daza JD
Nielsen SV
Werneck FP
Viana PF
Gamble T
Source :
Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) [Anat Rec (Hoboken)] 2024 Nov; Vol. 307 (11), pp. 3421-3431. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 May 28.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Chatogekko amazonicus is a miniaturized gecko from northern South America and is among the smallest of toe pad bearing lizards. The toe pads of C. amazonicus are miniscule, between 18% and 27% of the plantar surface area. We aimed to investigate the relationship between adhesive toe pad morphology, body size, and adhesive capabilities. Using scanning electron microscopy, we determine that the adhesive pads of C. amazonicus exhibit branched setae similar to those of other geckos, but that are generally much smaller. When compared with other gecko taxa, we show that C. amazonicus setae occupy a similar range of seta length: snout-vent length ratio and aspect ratio as other gekkonoid species (i.e. Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae, and Sphaerodactylidae). We demonstrate that C. amazonicus-even with its relatively small toe pads-is capable of climbing a smooth glass surface at a nearly vertical angle. We suggest that sphaerodactylids like C. amazonicus offer an excellent system for studying toe pad morphology and function in relation to miniaturization.<br /> (© 2024 The Author(s). The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Association for Anatomy.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1932-8494
Volume :
307
Issue :
11
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38803286
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25511