Different selection regimes explain morphological evolution in fossorial lizards

Independent origins of similar phenotypes are ubiquitous to the evolutionary process and evoke strong and recurrent environmental associations. Snakelike lizards evolved multiple times and are often portrayed as limb-reduced and body-elongated outcomes from shared selection associated with fossoriality. However, a refined evaluation including specific head traits and subtle differences in subterranean microhabitats unveils some degree of uniqueness even among lineages traditionally interpreted as phenotypically similar. Here we address regimes of selection in fossorial lizards accounting for differences in the burrowing substrate and emphasizing head shape in addition to body and limbs. We assembled an ecomorphological database comprising 213 species from all major lizard clades, and then characterized contemporary morphological diversity and modeled phenotypic evolution to test the hypothesis that fossoriality encompasses at least two distinct selection regimes. We identified two ecomo..., We assembled a large morphological database composed of all major lizard groups, focusing on snakelike lineages. We modeled phenotypic evolution by comparing different hypotheses of selection regimes to evaluate if limb reduction, body elongation and head shape evolved towards two distinct adaptive optima in fossorial lizards: dry-soil and moist-soil fossorial groups. We also characterized current morphological disparity within the fossorial lizards, as we predict that the dry-soil fossorial group encompasses less morphological diversity than moist-soil fossorial lizards, due to unique adaptations involved with headfirst burrowing in sand and dry soils. We also evaluated the profiles of morphological disparity through time, as we expect that historical processes associated with morphological diversity partitioning may reflect different combinations of shared ancestry and adaptation in distinct snakelike lineages., , # Different selection regimes explain morphological evolution in fossorial lizards

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x95x69psc](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x95x69psc)

Here we address regimes of selection in fossorial lizards accounting for differences in the burrowing substrate and emphasizing head shape in addition to body and limbs. We assembled an ecomorphological database comprising 213 species from all major lizard clades, and then characterized contemporary morphological diversity and modeled phenotypic evolution to test the hypothesis that fossoriality encompasses at least two distinct selection regimes. We identified two ecomorphological groups within the fossorial lizards: moist-soil fossorial and dry-soil fossorial. Both groups evolved towards distinct adaptive optima concerning head shape and limb size. Despite some degree of uniqueness, these groups also share similar patterns in specific traits. Dry-soil fossorial lizards present less morphological variation than moist-soi...