Macroevolutionary patterns and drivers of skull shape in the global radiation of true toads

True toads (Bufonidae) are a highly diverse group of amphibians that have dispersed across the globe. This makes them well-suited to exploring deep-time patterns of phenotypic evolution on a global scale. However, most true toads (former genus Bufo) have long been considered morphologically conserved and the adaptive nature of their radiation has previously yielded mixed results. We investigated the macroevolutionary patterns of the skull in true toads using micro-computed tomography data, geometric morphometrics, and comparative methods, and assessed the relationship between skull shape and geographical range, as well as phylogeny, body size, and habitat, which have previously been suggested as important drivers of amphibian cranial evolution. Body size and geographical range are identified as key factors influencing skull shape in true toads. The assumption that true toads formerly in the genus Bufo have highly conserved skulls is challenged by the fact that different groups occupy di..., , GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Data from: Macroevolutionary patterns and drivers of skull shape in the global radiation of true toads

By: Tomás Ventura & Raúl O. Gómez

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

DOI:10.1098/rspb.2025.2323

SHARING/ACCESS INFORMATION

1. Licenses/restrictions placed on the data: None: CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain

DATA & FILE OVERVIEW

1. File List:

A) coords.tps: 3D coordinates of skull shape in 72 species of true toads in TPS format.

B) classifiers.csv: species data including ID, species in tree, species, group memberships (Group_5; Group_2), geographic range (Area in deg^2^), maximum body size category (in mm), body size (in mm), and microhabitat.

C) PEA23_Bufonidae.phy: phylogenetic tree used in the analyses.

D) links.csv: links file to be used in the making of transformation grids.

E) RSCRIPT_PRSB.R: R script used to perform all the analyses.

F) Ventura_Gomez_tables_figures_ESM.pdf: PDF compiling species data and results including
Tab...,