Caribbean Anole Lizards

Over 150 species of lizards that colonized Caribbean islands and radiated into distinct 'ecomorphs' - morphologically distinct forms occupying specific microhabitats: trunk-ground, trunk-crown, twig, grass-bush, crown-giant, and trunk specialists. Remarkably, each Greater Antilles island (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico) independently evolved the same set of ecomorphs.

Anoles demonstrate modularity in limb proportions: hind limb length, forelimb length, toe pad size, and body length evolve largely independently, allowing rapid adaptation to different microhabitats. Phylogenetic studies show most diversification occurred early, shortly after colonization - the 'early burst' pattern.