The influence of temperature,sexual condition,and season on the metabolic rate of the lizardPsammodromus hispanicus |
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Authors: | J W Patterson P M C Davies |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD Nottingham, United Kingdom;(2) Present address: Department of Biology, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi |
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Abstract: | Summary Male and femalePsammodromus hispanicus from southern Europe were acclimated to four seasonal conditions of photoperiod and night time temperature. During the dark
period, the lizards' body temperatures fell to ambient air temperature but during the light period the lizards were allowed
to thermoregulate behaviourally and at such times the lizards' mean body temperature varied from 29.0°C to 32.6°C. The resting
metabolic rate of these lizards was measured in 5°C steps from 5°C to 30°C or 35°C. Sexual condition had little effect on
resting metabolic rate, but at low temperatures lizards acclimated to winter or spring seasonal conditions had lower resting
metabolic rates than those acclimated to summer or autumn conditions. At temperatures above 20°C seasonal acclimation had
no effect on resting metabolic rate. It is considered that the reduction in low temperature metabolic rate in spring and winter
is induced by low night time temperatures and serves to conserve energy during those seasons when lizards must spend long
periods at low temperature without being able to feed. |
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