Thermoregulation in endothermic dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): effect of body size and ecophysiological constraints in flight |
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Authors: | Verdú J R Arellano L Numa C |
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Institution: | Instituto de Biodiversidad CIBIO, Universidad de Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain. jr.verdu@ua.es |
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Abstract: | We explore the physiological constraints of body temperature as related to body mass and ambient temperature during flight in endothermic dung beetles showing a mass-related breakpoint where species show strong vs. weak endothermy. We found two different strategies in the dung beetles prior to flight; larger beetles (>1.9 g) elevate and maintain their body temperature (T(b)) at levels well above ambient temperature (T(a)) whereas smaller beetles' (<1.9 g) T(b) tends to conform with T(a). Physiological constraints analysis revealed a constant maximum tolerated temperature (in flight) of 42 degrees C and a minimum temperature for flight of around 25 degrees C. These, with body mass, may play a role in thermal niche partitioning and geographical distribution patterns. |
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Keywords: | Thermoregulation Body size Ecophysiology Null models Scarabs Scarabaeoidea |
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