Phylogenetic and ecological drivers of dietary preferences in lizards: a comparative analysis

Abstract

Investigating how recent and historical factors can mould species traits is crucial for understanding the evolution of biodiversity. We explored lizard dietary preferences, hypothesizing that phylogenetic divergences are correlated with dietary niches, and we examined how they are correlated with ecological and morphological traits. Using data from 751 populations of 347 lizard species, we identified 59 prey categories. Our analyses revealed significant phylogenetic signals in 12 categories, indicating niche conservatism. Phylogenetic principal component analysis indicated that global structure explained 52.5% of the dietary variation, with key prey categories including plants, Formicidae, and Coleoptera. Furthermore, phylogenetic generalized least squares models indicated significant relationships between dietary preferences and climate, foraging mode, habitat type, and body size. Our findings highlight the significant role of niche conservatism, with specific clades exhibiting distinct dietary adaptations. Iguanians primarily consume plants and ants, whereas non-iguanians focus on diverse prey, such as Orthoptera, Araneae, and Blattodea. These patterns are also influenced by ecological factors, such as habitat and climate, underscoring the complexity of ecological interactions. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between evolutionary history, ecological traits, and environmental factors affecting the dietary niches of lizards, emphasizing the need for robust phylogenies in ecological and evolutionary research.