Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Phenotypic crypticity despite strong phylogenetic divergence: diversification dynamics in a species complex of Arabian Pristurus geckos.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2026
Same author

Comparative skin microbiome analyses reveal differences between wild populations and captive groups of the Montseny brook newt (<i>Calotriton arnoldi</i>).

ISME communications·2026
Same author

Interspecific allometry of sexual shape dimorphism in small-bodied and large-bodied geckos.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2025
Same author

Exploring Phylogenetic Signal in Multivariate Phenotypes by Maximizing Blomberg's K.

Systematic biology·2024
Same author

Integrative systematic revision of the Montseny brook newt (<i>Calotriton arnoldi</i>), with the description of a new subspecies.

PeerJ·2024
Same author

The effect of miniaturization on the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in geckos.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2024
Same journal

Temporal Activity and Co-Occurrence Patterns of Sympatric Wild Ungulates in Baotianman, China.

Ecology and evolution·2026
Same journal

Semi-Quantitative Monitoring of Plant-Arthropod Interactions by eDNA Metabarcoding of Individual Flowers and Leaves.

Ecology and evolution·2026
Same journal

Evaluation of the e-Surveyor Mobile Application for Undertaking Plant Surveys and Predicting Habitat Type.

Ecology and evolution·2026
Same journal

Predator Experience Shapes Behaviour: Comparing Stone Wētā (<i>Hemideina maori</i>) Populations With and Without Weka (<i>Gallirallus australis hectori</i>).

Ecology and evolution·2026
Same journal

Plant Functional Groups Mediated the Effects of Plateau Pika Disturbance and Mowing on the Community Stability of Alpine Meadow Plants.

Ecology and evolution·2026
Same journal

First Insight Into Multiple Paternity in the Potato Cyst Nematode <i>Globodera pallida</i> Facing Masculinizing Plant Resistance.

Ecology and evolution·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Isolation of Giant Lampbrush Chromosomes from Living Oocytes of Frogs and Salamanders
10:07

Isolation of Giant Lampbrush Chromosomes from Living Oocytes of Frogs and Salamanders

Published on: December 5, 2016

13.5K

Macroevolution of arboreality in salamanders.

Erica K Baken1, Dean C Adams1

  • 1Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Iowa State University Ames Iowa.

Ecology and Evolution
|August 6, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Arboreal (tree-dwelling) lifestyles in salamanders evolve frequently but are rarely maintained, suggesting a trend toward terrestrial life. Arboreal salamanders show convergent morphology but not distinct adaptations, indicating a unique evolutionary role.

Keywords:
amphibianmacroevolutionmicrohabitatphylogenetic comparative methods

More Related Videos

Quantitative Analysis of Neuronal Dendritic Arborization Complexity in Drosophila
07:13

Quantitative Analysis of Neuronal Dendritic Arborization Complexity in Drosophila

Published on: January 7, 2019

14.6K
Assessment of Dendritic Arborization in the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampal Region in Mice
10:55

Assessment of Dendritic Arborization in the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampal Region in Mice

Published on: March 31, 2015

10.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Isolation of Giant Lampbrush Chromosomes from Living Oocytes of Frogs and Salamanders
10:07

Isolation of Giant Lampbrush Chromosomes from Living Oocytes of Frogs and Salamanders

Published on: December 5, 2016

13.5K
Quantitative Analysis of Neuronal Dendritic Arborization Complexity in Drosophila
07:13

Quantitative Analysis of Neuronal Dendritic Arborization Complexity in Drosophila

Published on: January 7, 2019

14.6K
Assessment of Dendritic Arborization in the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampal Region in Mice
10:55

Assessment of Dendritic Arborization in the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampal Region in Mice

Published on: March 31, 2015

10.7K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Herpetology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Microhabitat specialization can drive phenotypic and taxonomic diversity.
  • Unique selective pressures in certain microhabitats may limit macroevolutionary diversification.
  • The arboreal microhabitat in salamanders presents a unique case for studying evolutionary constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the macroevolutionary outcomes of inhabiting the arboreal microhabitat in salamanders (Caudata).
  • To determine if arboreality influences phenotypic evolution and morphological diversity.
  • To assess the evolutionary stability and adaptive significance of arboreal lifestyles in salamanders.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic comparative methods were employed to analyze evolutionary transitions and trait evolution.
  • Rates of transition between arboreal and terrestrial microhabitats were estimated.
  • Phenotypic evolution of body shape and foot shape in arboreal versus non-arboreal taxa was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Arboreality has evolved independently at least five times in salamanders, primarily from terrestrial ancestors.
  • The rate of return from arboreality to terrestriality is 24 times higher than the rate of transition to arboreality.
  • Arboreal salamanders show reduced rates of phenotypic evolution in body and foot shape, with evidence of morphological convergence, but lack a distinct arboreal phenotype.

Conclusions:

  • Macroevolutionary trends in salamanders favor terrestriality over arboreality.
  • Arboreality in salamanders does not appear to be an evolutionary dead end but also not a significant driver of diversification.
  • The arboreal microhabitat imposes unique selective pressures that shape evolutionary trajectories without leading to specialized adaptations or widespread proliferation.