A global analysis of field body temperatures of active squamates in relation to climate and behaviour

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(4)

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

Abstract Aim Squamate fitness is affected by body temperature, which in turn influenced environmental temperatures and, many species, exposure to solar radiation. The biophysical drivers of temperature have been widely studied, but we lack an integrative synthesis actual experienced the field, and their relationships temperatures, across phylogeny, behaviour climate. Location Global (25 countries on six continents). Taxa Squamates (210 representing 25 families). Methods We measured 20,231 individuals squamates field while they were active. examined how vary with substrate air taxa, climates behaviours (basking diel activity). Results Heliothermic lizards had highest temperatures. Their most weakly correlated Body non‐heliothermic diurnal similar heliotherms relation nocturnal species correlation was stronger snakes than heliotherms. Body‐substrate body‐air correlations varied mean annual all squamates, especially Thermal relations (heliothermy, nocturnality) cold converge towards same warm climates. Non‐heliotherms are better explained temperature. distributions become left‐skewed warmer‐bodied colder Main Conclusions frequency globally behavioural climatic factors. For climates, heliothermic species' consistently higher more stable other regions warmer climate these differences less pronounced. A comparable variation found non‐heliotherms, not whose irrespective macroclimatic context.

Language: Английский

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Microhabitat level thermal physiology and thermoregulation of a diurnal gecko in an urban landscape

Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Jan. 10, 2025

Urban areas comprise a matrix of natural and human-made microhabitats, with associated variation in microclimates. Since reptiles are dependent on environmental temperature for optimal functioning, their survival cities depends how well they can navigate microhabitat-level thermal heterogeneity. For the Mysore Day gecko ( Cnemaspis mysoriensis ) urban environment Bengaluru, we determined if shifts physiology or behavioural thermoregulatory strategies were used to adapt microhabitats (e.g. walls) compared (tree trunks roots). We collected active body temperatures field, measured preferred (T set ), tolerance limits (CT max CT min performance curve (TPC) locomotion lab. found that had slightly higher more variable than microhabitats. Thermal physiological variables , TPC) lizards caught from these distinct did not vary, implying conserved within species. However, given wild, seem be better quality, providing suitable range is closer Hence, spaces, thermoregulate accurately. demonstrate even small differences conditions at microhabitat scale influence accuracy thermoregulation city. Our result emphasise importance retaining habitats cityscape effective ectotherms, like C. .

Language: Английский

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Changes in marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) heart rates suggest reduced metabolism during El Niño events

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 24, 2025

Abstract Marine iguanas occasionally face severe food shortages because of algal dieback during El Niño events. Research on their adaptations to these periods has highlighted unique ability shrink in body length, which reduces energetic needs. Additional mechanisms, like sustaining lower temperatures and metabolic rates, could potentially also energy consumption, but have never been examined. We measured 665 over an 11‐year period including three events, examined how heart rates (a proxy for rates) change with sea‐surface temperature oscillations (Oceanic Index, ONI). Heart rate (adjusting size, temperature, season, study site) was negatively correlated ONI Niño, whereas the adjusted did not correlate or differ between other periods. therefore hypothesize that marine can depress response harsh conditions, adaptation is complementary shrinking may further enhance survival through limited food. Direct measurements are needed test this hypothesis.

Language: Английский

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Microclimatic changes caused by plant invasions and warming: uncovering thermal costs and benefits to a tortoise

Conservation Physiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Non-native plant invasions and climate warming alter the microclimatic conditions that organisms experience in their habitats, with potential implications for fitness of native faunal species, particularly ectotherms. Predictions species conservation increasingly use microclimate data at fine spatial scales relevant to organisms, but they typically overlook modulating effect vegetation changes have on microclimates available habitat. Here we quantify imposed by invasive trees simultaneous habitats assess resulting thermal benefits costs a small tortoise (Homopus areolatus) from an organismal perspective throughout its life cycle. We logged operative temperature above- belowground field, covering diversity microhabitats across four seasons year, assessed species' optimal laboratory. Moving beyond common averages, applied range metrics differences between invaded areas spatio-temporal distributions, combined effects habitat suitability species. found became cooler less exposed temperatures above summer. This buffering is expected become more pronounced further warming, turning into refugia. However, reduced heterogeneity during warm periods, prevalent sub-optimal low winter colder underground incubation could be detrimental long-term performance. Our results reveal mixed nature plants ectotherms, underscoring importance applying suite distribution changes. The approach used here illustrates value integrating physiological information mechanistic understanding problems.

Language: Английский

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Microclimate variability impacts the coexistence of highland and lowland ectotherms

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 20, 2025

Abstract Understanding differences in life‐history outcomes under variable abiotic conditions is essential for understanding species coexistence. At middle elevations, a mosaic of available sets could allow highland and lowland the same ecological guild to overlap. Therefore, these sites are excellent study influence on life history and, thus, spatial overlap patterns competing species. To test outcomes, we selected pair closely related lacertids, Iberolacerta horvathi Podarcis muralis , with an overlapping geographical range but contrasting elevational distribution. assess how biotic factors contribute realized niches both species, first built dynamic energy budget (DEB) models each based functional data. Then, used mechanistic modelling framework (NicheMapR) simulate microclimatic at 15 across gradient performed whole life‐cycle simulations compare egg development times, lifespans, reproductive years, mean yearly basking foraging times fecundity syntopy allotopy along gradient. Our show that variability affects traits We found strong effects elevation such as longevity, activity fecundity. also observed syntopy/allotopy output. In addition, significant interplay between impacting where occupying higher habitats resulted more pronounced reduction P. . Furthermore, using two different thermal preferences spring summer, some physiological change seasonal changes preferences. Based our simulations, conclude intermediate elevations harbour majority syntopic populations exhibit high environmental likely facilitating Since model predictions support current distribution not only affected by factors, this suggests past historical contingencies might have played role. provides understand interacting comparing responses changing

Language: Английский

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Effects of prescribed fire on body condition, injury frequency, and recapture of reptiles in Mediterranean-type eucalypt forests

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 586, P. 122683 - 122683

Published: April 4, 2025

Language: Английский

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Changes in thermal preference, respiratory and metabolic patterns in Tropidurus torquatus: Population responses from two distinct Brazilian biomes

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Molecular & Integrative Physiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 111871 - 111871

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Seasonal variation of behavioural thermoregulation in a fossorial salamander ( Ambystoma maculatum )

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Temperature seasonality plays a pivotal role in shaping the thermal biology of ectotherms. However, we still have limited understanding how ectotherms maintain balance face varying temperatures, especially fossorial species. Due to buffering underground, ecology theory predicts relaxed selection pressure over thermoregulation As result, typically show low thermoregulatory precision and evidence thermotactic behaviours laboratory gradients. Here, evaluated temperature ( T sel ) associated differed between seasons amphibian, spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum ). By comparing parameters active overwintering seasons, that A. engages behavioural despite being fossorial. In both was consistently offset higher than acclimatization temperatures. Thermoregulation with salamanders having showing greater thermophilic compared season. Additionally, our work lends support experimental assumptions commonly made but seldom tested studies. Ultimately, study demonstrates combination careful measurements is necessary step better understand mechanisms underlie body control amphibians.

Language: Английский

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Risk of migration: not all gregarious locust nymphs reach appropriate refuges

The Science of Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 111(3)

Published: May 2, 2024

Language: Английский

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Thermo-physiological changes and reproductive investment in a liolaemid lizard at the extreme of the slow-fast continuum

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 227(12)

Published: June 3, 2024

Gravid female lizards often experience reduced thermal preferences and impaired locomotor performance. These changes have been attributed to the physical burden of clutch, but some authors suggested that they may be due physiological adjustments. We compared biology performance lizard Liolaemus wiegmannii 1 week before after oviposition. found gravid females had a preference 1°C lower than non-gravid females. This was accompanied by change in dependence maximum running speed. The optimum for 2.6°C oviposition after. At relatively low temperatures (22 26°C), speeds were up 31% higher However, at above 26°C, achieved similar (∼1.5 m s-1) regardless reproductive stage. magnitude parameters L. independent relative clutch mass (clutches weighed 89% post-oviposition body mass). suggests are not simply mass, also simultaneously adjusted their own physiology short period order improve allocated energy embryonic development during late Our findings implications understanding mechanisms underlying life histories on fast extreme slow-fast continuum, where exhaustion could play an important role.

Language: Английский

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