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Teaching Speciation Using Anole Lizards
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1. The Origin of Species Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree
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The Origin of Species: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree

Topic

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection
  • Speciation
  • Phylogeny

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Short Films

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:17:45
Used In
2 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
58 Users
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View in Spanish

Description

This film explores the adaptation of anole lizards (genus Anolis) to habitats common across the islands of the Caribbean. The anoles are excellent examples of adaptive radiation, convergent evolution, and speciation through reproductive isolation.

Working in the islands of the Caribbean, biologist Jonathan Losos discovered traits that enable dozens of anole species to live in different vertical niches in the forest. Differences in limb length, body shape, and toepad size reflect adaptations to life on the ground, on thin branches, or high in the canopy. Remarkably, similar combinations of these traits have evolved independently on different islands, a phenomenon known as convergent evolution. The film also describes how new species of anoles are formed due to variations in the color of their dewlaps, a reproductive trait that determines their mating behavior.

The “Abbreviated Film Guide” provides a short summary of the film, along with key concepts and connections to curriculum standards.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.

Key Terms

adaptation, convergent evolution, ecological niche, macroevolution, microevolution, reproductive isolation, speciation, trait

Primary Literature

Losos, Jonathan. Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2011. 

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files partially meet criteria. Video files meet criteria. Spanish files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 11.12.13
Date Updated 05.14.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2.A, HS-LS3.B, HS-LS4.B, HS-LS4.C

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1, EVO-3, IST-4

IB Biology (2016)

5.1, 5.4, C.1

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.1, 2.6, 2.7

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC5

Materials

HD (M4V) 640 MB
HD (WMV) 548 MB
SD (M4V) 146 MB
SD (WMV) 140 MB
Transcript (PDF) 327 KB
Spanish dub (Español) (MP4) 308 MB
Transcript - Español (PDF) 242 KB
Abbreviated Film Guide (PDF) 165 KB

Use This Resource With

Activity Resource
Activity for Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree
Activity Resource
Look Who's Coming for Dinner: Selection by Predation
Activity Resource
Using DNA to Explore Lizard Phylogeny

Educator Tips

Hear how educators are using BioInteractive content in their teaching.
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1-Minute Tips

Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree

Bob Kuhn describes how he uses BioInteractive resources to teach speciation to his students. The short film "Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree" introduces students to how new species arise.
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Image of an anole from the activity
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Graph from the activity
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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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