Abstract

Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, James Cook University. Morphological adaptation to different ecological demands is a driver of diversity. Squamate reptiles, including the diverse Australian gecko fauna, have evolved microstructures on their outermost skin surface. Geckos’ toepads feature adhesive hair-like setae, while the remaining skin surface features hydrophobic, self-cleaning spinules and small sense organs called cutaneous sensilla. I studied the evolution and ecological adaptation of these microstructures, applying scanning electron microscopy and comparative phylogenetic methods.