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

At macroevolutionary scales across species, sexual dimorphism often covaries with body size, generating allometric trends. Such patterns are most evident for body size dimorphism, while trends in sexual shape dimorphism remain underexamined. Additionally, how small body sizes (miniaturization) affects such patterns is largely unknown. We evaluated allometry in sexual shape dimorphism in two families of geckos to determine whether changes in body size associate with changes in shape dimorphism. Using surface scans of head shape from nearly 600 individuals across 99 species, we found considerable variation in levels of sexual shape dimorphism across taxa, with some species displaying little dimorphism and others exhibiting large sexual differentiation. Interspecific trends differed between the two families, with strong negative allometry in Sphaeorodactylidae (a family with many small-bodied species), while Phyllodactylidae (a family containing few small-bodied species) displayed isometry and no discernible trend. Notably, greater sexual shape dimorphism was displayed in small-bodied sphaerodactylid species, and corresponded with females exhibiting more robust heads; consistent with sex-specific foraging strategies and dietary differences observed in this group. Our study reveals that interspecific allometry in traits other than body size can have a pervasive influence on patterns of phenotypic diversity across the tree of life.