Periodic Table of Niches (IMAGE)

University of Texas at Austin

Periodic Table of Niches

Caption

Three-dimensional depiction of the Periodic Table of Niches. Each box represents a lizard niche (n1-n12). Species pairs from different geographic regions or different evolutionary lineages (clades) independently evolve traits allowing them to effectively use similar niches in their respective habitats (ecological convergence). Two such convergent pairs are indicated. 1) Blue lines indicate the convergent pair Phrynosoma from North America and Moloch from Australia, and 2) Green lines indicate the convergent pair Polychrus from Brazil and Chamaeleo from Africa. In reality, ecological niches are multidimensional.

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University of Texas at Austin

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