Licht-im-Terrarium: Literaturdatenbank
Licht-im-Terrarium: Literaturdatenbank |
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Bouazza, A., Slimani, T., El Mouden, H., Blouin-Demers, G., & Lourdais, O. (2016). Thermal constraints and the influence of reproduction on thermoregulation in a high-altitude gecko (quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus). Journal of Zoology, n/a–n/a. Added by: Sarina (2016-06-14 10:24:13) Last edited by: Sarina (2021-04-27 08:00:04) |
| Resource type: Journal Article DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12353 ID no. (ISBN etc.): 1469-7998 BibTeX citation key: Bouazza2016 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: Englisch = English Keywords: Thermoregulation = Thermoregulation Creators: Blouin-Demers, Bouazza, El Mouden, Lourdais, Slimani Collection: Journal of Zoology |
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| Abstract |
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Temperature plays a crucial role for ectotherm performance and thus for fitness. Terrestrial ectotherms, including reptiles, regulate their body temperature mainly by behavioural means. At high altitude, however, thermal constraints make precise thermoregulation costly. The cost–benefit model of lizard thermoregulation predicts that thermally challenging environments should favour the evolution of thermoconformity. Yet, several species maintain high and stable body temperatures even in cool environments. We studied the Atlas Day Gecko, Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus, a cold-adapted lizard endemic to the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. We quantified thermoregulation in gravid females, non-gravid adult females, and adult males during the active season. Geckos thermoregulated during their active season, and thermoregulated with more effectiveness early in the season than late in the season. In the laboratory, the preferred body temperature ranges of gravid females, non-gravid females, and males were not significantly different. In the field, however, gravid females had smaller deviations from the preferred body temperature and maintained higher body temperatures than males and non-gravid females. Our study suggests that cold-adapted reptiles adjust their thermoregulatory behaviour in response to thermal constraints and reproductive status.
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