Evolution of pedal digit orientation and morphology in relation to acquisition and secondary loss of the adhesive system in geckos

Among geckos, the acquisition of the adhesive system is associated with several morphological changes of the feet that are involved in the operation of the adhesive apparatus. However, analyses using a comparative framework are lacking. We applied traditional morphometrics and geometric morphometric analysis with phylogenetic comparative methods to morphological data, collected from X‐ray scans, to examine patterns of morphological evolution of...