Evolutionary biology is a historical science, like astronomy and geology. Understanding how and why evolution has occurred requires synthesizing multiple lines of inquiry. Historical studies, such as those that estimate phylogenetic trees, can detail the pattern of evolutionary diversification, whereas studies on living species can provide insight into the processes that affect ecological interactions and evolutionary change. The evolutionary radiation of Anolis lizards in the Greater Antilles illustrates the interplay between historical and modern-day approaches and strongly supports the hypothesis that interspecific interactions drive adaptive diversification. Studies of these species also demonstrate the role that manipulative experiments can play in understanding evolutionary phenomena.
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1 July 2007
Detective Work in the West Indies: Integrating Historical and Experimental Approaches to Study Island Lizard Evolution
JONATHAN B. LOSOS
BioScience
Vol. 57 • No. 7
July 2007
Vol. 57 • No. 7
July 2007
Adaptive radiation
Anolis
community ecology
evolution
lizard