TY - JOUR AU - Ibáñez, Soledad AU - Vidal, Marcela A. AU - Ortiz, Juan Carlos AU - Torres-Pérez, Fernando PY - 2015 DA - 2015/02/02 TI - Geometric morphometric analysis of the head of Microlophus atacamensis (Tropiduridae) in a latitudinal gradient JO - Zoological Studies SP - 24 VL - 54 IS - 1 AB - Clinal variation is defined as gradual variation in a character associated with geographic distance among sites. Microlophus atacamensis is a medium large lizard species which inhabits the intertidal zone of northern Chile, distributed from Antofagasta (23° 39′ S) to Arrayán, La Serena (29° 41′ S) in a gradient which could show clinal variation. Geometric morphometrics analyzes differences in shape independent of size; information about shape allows a more complete biological interpretation than information on morphological variation. This study evaluated clinal variation in the head shape of M. atacamensis from five localities (Antofagasta, Paposo, Pan de Azúcar, Caldera, and Tres Playitas) using dorsal and lateral views, comparing form variation with latitudinal distribution. The heads of adults collected were photographed in lateral and dorsal views. SN - 1810-522X UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s40555-014-0099-y DO - 10.1186/s40555-014-0099-y ID - Ibáñez2015 ER -