Behavior and ecology of Costa Rican lizards:
Students are invited to participate in a study of Costa Rican lizards. Focusing on lizards in the genus Anolis, this project aims to investigate differences in ecology, behavior patterns, and habitat use in species of Anolis at two sites in Costa Rica. Students will videotape the undisturbed behavior of lizards in the field, as well as taking data on where in the habitat they are found, and will use clay models to test the effect of microhabitat use on predation pressure. The field component of the project will last six weeks, from mid-June through the end of July at two locations in Costa Rica. Data analysis will then occur in Cambridge in August. This project could lay the groundwork for an honor's thesis.	Anolis sp.
Contact Anthony Herrel anthony.herrel@ua.ac.be for more information about this project.

Parallelism versus convergence in the tail elongation of Caribbean lizards:
Anolis skeleton	In Caribbean Anolis lizards, similar environments have spurred the evolution of similar species numerous times. But have these species evolved to look the same via the same mechanisms (parallelism), or has similarity been achieved through different evolutionary pathways (convergence)? This project will examine the evolution of long tails in Caribbean anoles. The student will x-ray Greater Antillean lizard specimens from the large collection of preserved lizards at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard to determine whether long tails were evolved via the lengthening of individual vertebrae or the addition of new vertebrae to the tail (anole species differ to some degree in both length and number of tail vertebrae). This project presents a unique opportunity to distinguish parallelism from convergence in the diversification of Caribbean lizards. Once data are collected, the student will have the opportunity to participate in data analysis, interpretation, and writing.
Contact Luke Mahler lmahler@oeb.harvard.edu for more information about this project.

Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism in Caribbean Lizards:
An important question in evolutionary biology asks why males and females often differ in size and shape. This project will test hypotheses regarding the role of natural selection via resource competition in generating sexual dimorphism in body size and body proportions (e.g., relative limb lengths, head shape) of Anolis lizards. The project will take advantage of the large collections of preserved lizards in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard, and quantify morphology of many lizard species collected from numerous Caribbean islands. The student will utilize the preserved lizard specimens to perform x-rays and conduct morphological data collection. Upon completion, the student will have the opportunity to participate in data analysis, interpretation, and writing.	A pair of mating Anolis cristatellus
Contact Brian Langerhans langerhans@oeb.harvard.edu for more information about this project.

Animal communication: coping with environmental conditions that are less than ideal:
Anolis cristatellus	Anolis lizards produce elaborate head-bob displays to defend territories. How conspicuous these visual displays are is heavily dependent on visual 'noise' created by movement from windblown vegetation. This project will look at whether lizards tailor the timing of territorial displays to coincide with lulls in background movement, as a strategy to enhance communication efficiency. The student will use a large library of video footage collected on Jamaica and Puerto Rico to quantify the incidence of visual noise in backgrounds when lizards choose to display relative to when they do not.
Contact Terry Ord tord@oeb.harvard.edu for more information about this project.

Selection and the evolution of correlations between characters in Caribbean anoles:
Many traits of organisms are genetically correlated - individuals born with longer than average arms for example, frequently also have long legs. Because natural selection acts on whole organisms which are composed of multiple traits, some trait combinations may be favored by selection, while others are selected against. This project will investigate correlations among limb and other skeletal traits in Caribbean lizards that have fared well or poorly in the face of natural selection (using body condition as an indicator). Using a large recent collection of anoles from Puerto Rico, the student will x-ray specimens to obtain measurements and calculate trait correlations. Once data are collected, the student will have the opportunity to participate in data analysis, interpretation, and writing.	Anolis cristatellus
Contact Luke Mahler lmahler@oeb.harvard.edu for more information about this project.

Heritability of morphology and locomotor performance in an Anolis lizard:
Anolis bahorucoensis	Throughout the Caribbean, Anolis lizards provide a remarkable case of convergent evolution - similar body morphologies and locomotor capabilities have repeatedly evolved in similar environments across multiple islands. This project examines the heritability of body morphology and locomotion, as well as the causal connections between the two types of traits. The student will analyze x-rays of lizards to collect morphological data, and analyze high-speed video sequences of lizard sprinting performance to collect kinematic data. Upon completion, the student will have the opportunity to participate in data analysis, interpretation, and writing.
Contact Brian Langerhans langerhans@oeb.harvard.edu for more information about this project.

Evolution of development in Anolis:
Evolutionary developmental biology, or evo-devo, is a relatively new and exciting discipline that hopes to uncover the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying morphological divergence. Caribbean Anolis lizards are a relatively new model system in studies of evo-devo and provide a unique opportunity to examine many evolutionary questions not possible using the traditional model organisms alone. The Losos and Abzhanov labs are undertaking several new projects to examine the evolution and development of characters known to be involved with the adaptation of Anolis lizards into novel environments. We are seeking several undergraduates to help with these projects. By working on these projects students will potentially have the opportunity to learn embryological, histological, and molecular techniques. Tasks will include the collection and preservation of Anolis embryos, analysis of developmental patterns, and other basic bench skills (skeletal preparation, measurement and fixation of specimens, etc). Successful students may have the opportunity for field work and to develop their own, independent research projects. Summer employment is available and priority will be given to students available during this time.	Anole development.
Contact Thom Sanger TSanger@oeb.harvard.edu for more information about this project.

Study the behavior of Puerto Rican anole lizards using robots:
A. gundlachi male challenging a robotic lizard.	Students are being sought to help with field studies on the territorial behavior of anole lizards on Puerto Rico. Field experiments will use robotic anoles to investigate how lizards communicate with each other in a visually challenging environment of low light and almost constant motion from windblown vegetation. Students will be part of a small field crew that will work within the Caribbean National Forest on Puerto Rico over 4 weeks in July 2008. Working conditions can be difficult at times, but students will have the opportunity to interact with other students and researchers from around the world at the field station and participate in a project that is at the forefront of behavioral ecology research. Funds are available to cover flights and accommodation. Previous field crews have ranged from freshman to senior undergraduates. Field experience is desired, but not required. Students should have a strong interest in behavioral ecology.
Contact Terry Ord tord@oeb.harvard.edu for more information about this project.

Updated Feb. 18, 2008. Comments/Questions about the website email Liam Revell.