Dissertation Research: Green Blood and Adhesive Pads: Evolution of Novel Adaptations in Lizards

9311139柯克帕特里克 南太平洋的几种蜥蜴有绿色的血液。这种绿色是胆色素胆绿素积累的结果。胆色素对几乎所有脊椎动物都是有毒的，产生称为黄疸的病理状态。了解这些蜥蜴如何能够承受高浓度的胆绿素，可能会为了解包括人类在内的其他脊椎动物胆色素的病理性质提供帮助。同一群蜥蜴进化出了几种不同类型的粘性趾垫。这些脚趾垫的粘性很强，可以在光滑的垂直表面（如玻璃）上攀爬。通过测量不同微观结构对不同物种的粘附能力，我们可以了解不同形态之间的关系和粘附机制。了解这些蜥蜴的进化关系对于理解形态和生理进化模式至关重要。 ***

9311139 Kirkpatrick Several species of lizards from the South Pacific have green blood. This green coloration is the result of the accumulation of the bile pigment biliverdin. Bile pigments are toxic to virtually all vertebrates producing the pathological condition known as jaundice. An understanding of how these lizards are able to withstand large concentrations of biliverdin may provide insight into the pathological nature of bile pigments in other vertebrates including humans. This same group of lizards has evolved several different types of adhesive toe pads. These toe pads are so adhesive that they can climb on smooth vertical surfaces such as glass. By measuring the adhesive abilities of different microstructures for different species we can understand the relationship between different morphologies and mechanisms of adhesion. Knowledge of the evolutionary relationships of these lizards is critical to understanding patterns of morphological and physiological evolution. ***