Our research investigates three genera of lizards from Ecuador: Anolis, Microlophus and Stenocercus.
- Anolis lizards are diurnally active arboreal lizards found in the Caribbean and northern South America. They are characterized by the presence of a flap of skin beneath the chin of males (and females of some species) called the dewlap, which varies in shape, size and colour patterns across species. This is a well-studied group but much of the work has focussed on Caribbean species, with work on South American species focussed on taxonomy and classification. We are studying the Anolis lizards from Ecuador, which are found on both sides of the Andes mountains – from the Amazonian tropical forests to mountain and cloud forests.
- Microlophus lizards are also known as lava lizards. Two species are found on the mainland, with at least 9 species located on the Galapagos Islands. For each group, we are examining various aspects of their ecology and behaviour, with a particular interest in communication.
- Stenocercus lizards are commonly known as whorl-tail iguanas and are terrestrial, diurnal, high-altitude reptile species found in the tropical Andes. In this project we are examining various aspects of the thermal ecology of multiple populations of Stenocercus in different ecosystems lizards including thermophysiology, thermoregulatory behaviour and the gut microbiome.
