Thermal Preference and Gradient Use
Thermal Performance
Desert Lizards & Temperature-Dependent Locomotion
Findings: Eremias roborowskii and Phrynocephalus axillaris differed in sprint speed, endurance and dependence on environmental temperature. At 30°C, recorded sprint speeds were approximately 0.816 and 0.836 m/s. The results demonstrate that enclosure temperatures supporting maximum speed may not be identical to those supporting sustained movement or endurance.
Article: Effects of Temperature on the Thermal Biology and Locomotor Performance of Two Sympatric Extreme Desert Lizards
DOI: 10.3390/ani15040572
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040572
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Patagonian Lizard & Performance Relative to Available Heat
Findings: Phymaturus tenebrosus reached preferred temperatures and maximum locomotor performance at temperatures above those normally available in its habitat. The species was an ineffective thermoregulator under existing conditions. This separates a species’ preferred and performance-optimal temperatures from the temperatures it commonly experiences.
Article: Potential benefits from global warming to the thermal biology and locomotor performance of an endangered Patagonian lizard
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7437
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7437
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Color-Mediated Heat Exchange
Bearded Dragon & Regional Color Change
Findings: Dorsal coloration changed in response to temperature and affected both visible and near-infrared reflectance. Beard and chest coloration responded more strongly to social and circadian conditions. Different body regions therefore served different functions, with dorsal change contributing more directly to heat exchange.
Article: Colour change on different body regions provides thermal and signalling advantages in bearded dragon lizards
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.0626
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.0626
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Thermal Stress and Endocrine Response
Eastern Fence Lizard & Temperature-Dependent Corticosterone
Findings: Plasma corticosterone varied significantly with body temperature. Because corticosterone is commonly used as a stress indicator, differences in animal temperature at capture, restraint or blood collection can produce apparent stress differences unrelated to the husbandry treatment being evaluated.
Article: Effects of temperature on plasma corticosterone in a native lizard
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73354-z
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73354-z
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Seasonal Thermoregulation
Spotted Salamander & Seasonal Temperature Selection
Findings: Spotted salamanders actively selected temperatures above their acclimation temperature during both active and overwintering seasons. Preferred temperatures were higher and thermophilic behavior was stronger during the active season. A single year-round temperature target would therefore fail to represent the species’ seasonal thermal behavior.
Article: Seasonal variation of behavioural thermoregulation in a fossorial salamander
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240537
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.240537
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Embryonic Thermoregulation
Turtle Embryos & Movement Within the Egg
Findings: Turtle embryos moved within eggs in response to thermal conditions. Permitting this movement shortened incubation, reduced mortality during dangerously high temperatures and increased hatching synchrony. Eggs should not automatically be treated as thermally uniform, passive units.
Article: Behavioral thermoregulation by reptile embryos promotes hatching success and synchronization
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05229-8
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05229-8
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