Maturation of post-hibernation flight behaviour in the Coccinellid Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer)

Summary Coleomegilla maculata flies from its hibernation sites to breeding areas in the spring. Flight behaviour among the hibernating beetles was studied using the tethered flight technique. It was found that there is a successive maturation of flight behaviour in the spring. This process is mainly controlled by temperature acting over an extended period. From a standstill at 15°C the rate of the maturation process increased as the temperature was raised. Short photoperiods exerted a depressing effect on glight development early in the winter, but later this effect disappears.     

Effects of photoperiod and temperature on sexual recrudescence in the male weakfish,Cynoscion regalis

Synopsis Male weakfish,Cynoscion regalis, were collected in the south-west portion of Delaware Bay from April through August of 1992. Histological examination of testes collected from these specimens was used as a baseline for comparison with laboratory data. Weakfish testes were found to be of the unrestricted, continuous spermatogenic type and spermatogenesis was apparently prenuptial. The effects of photoperiod and temperature on gonadal maturation were studied in the laboratory using fish collected in June and July 1991. These fish were exposed to two months of simulated winter conditions prior to assignment to one of four experimental photoperiod/temperature regimes. The treatments included combinations of long day (LD,15 h light) or short day (SD, 9 h light) and high (HT, 20° C) or low (LT, 13° C) water temperatures. The four treatment groups were LD/HT, LD/LT, SD/HT, SD/LT. The LD/HT group was the only one to mature fully, expressing increased plasma androgen levels, increased gonadosomatic index (GSI) and advanced spermatogenesis, as well as hypertrophy of the sonic muscles, a seasonally expressed secondary sexual characteristic of male weakfish. High temperatures promoted the later stages of spermatogenesis, which were apparently inhibited by low temperatures. The presence of an endogenous annual cycle is suggested by the partial maturation of the testes and sonic muscles in all treatment groups, regardless of photoperiod/temperature regime.     

The diapause syndrome in the seed-eating caterpillar of Coleophora alticolella

Adult emergence in Coleophora alticolella held at 15 °C was accelerated by exposure to L18:D6 in autumn and midwinter. The effect decreased during winter and exposure of individuals, held at low temperature over winter, to L18:D6 or L6:D18 at 15 °C at the end of March resulted in the same mean emergence date. Long daylength experienced at 5 °C did not promote emergence nor did exposure to low temperature during winter. The number of adults emerging increased with the length of time cultures were held on short day but was always below 50% of the larvae. When larvae were exposed to L18:D6 and L6:D18 at 15 °C at the end of March, on long day 61% adults emerged and 39% remained in diapause, whereas on short day, 25% became adult and 75% remained diapausing larvae. The possibility of cohort splitting, with some individuals undergoing prolonged diapause, is discussed.     

A comparative study of the population biology of the American immigrant triclad Dugesia tigrina (Girard) in two British lakes

The population biology of the American immigrant triclad Dugesia tigrina was investigated in two British eutrophic lakes: Colemere, England, harbours an asexually reproducing population and Llyn Coron, North Wales, a population that reproduces both sexually and asexually. Monthly samples of triclads were taken from the undersides of stones in both lakes, and from ceramic tiles and plastic trays in Colemere and Llyn Coron, respectively, over two years. In both populations, body size-structure decreased slightly over winter, with an absence of very large and very small animals. Individual growth occurred in spring, and over summer the proportion of large and small individuals declined and increased, respectively. During September to November, size-structure was fairly stable. Increases in the size structure of the populations were associated with higher temperatures and an increased food supply; stability in size structure during the autumnal post-reproductive period, when temperatures were favourable for growth, to the occurrence of intraspecific competition for food; and decreases in size structure to lower temperatures during the winter. In both populations the density of triclads increased in summer to a peak in autumn, thereafter declining to a nadir in spring. The numerical peak in autumn was due to recruitment from reproduction, and the subsequent decline to deaths following the occurrence of intraspecific competition for food in late autumn, some invertebrate predation and winter mortality. Asexual reproduction (fission) started in June and finished during August in both populations. Laboratory experiments indicated that the occurrence and rate of fission is influenced by temperature and the amount of available food. The critical temperature for the initiation and cessation of fission lay between 14 and 16 °C in laboratory studies, and in the field fissioning started as temperatures approached 15 °C. In Llyn Coron, cocoon deposition commenced in June, peaked in July with only a very few produced in August. Triclads collected from the field outside these months could not be induced to lay cocoons in the laboratory. Laboratory experiments showed that cocoons were deposited at temperatures of 17.5, 20, and 25 °C, but not at 12.5 °C. Thus, in the field, cocoon production started when temperatures approached 15 °C in June, but had ceased whilst temperatures were still in excess of 15 °C in late August. Termination of cocoon dsposition is associated with the disappearance of large triclads in excess of 20 mm², below which animals are not sexually mature; disappearance of large animals was due to fissioning, death after sexual reproduction, and probably shrinkage due to severe intraspecific competition for food. Laboratory experiments indicated that the Colemere population had, potentially, greater fission production than the Llyn Coron population. Despite this, the numerical size of the Colemere and Llyn Coron populations increased seven-fold and eleven-fold, respectively, over the reproductive period. Whether or not this difference in reproductive potential between the populations will continue is speculative; the introduction of D. tigrina to Llyn Coron is relatively recent and the population may still be expanding to reach the carrying capacity of the habitat. Its high reproductive output must have helped its successful invasion of the lake.     

Life histories of Atlantic salmon altered by winter temperature and summer rearing in fresh- or sea-water

Increased growth during winter increased the incidence of age 1+ Salmo salar smolts in spring. High condition factor in spring and good growth in summer was associated with a high incidence of sexually mature males in autumn. In two experiments, groups (n=160–237 per group) of individually identified parr, either ungraded (lower and upper modal groups: LMG, UMG) or size-graded (LMG only), were reared at either 10, 6 or 3 °C overwinter (Nov to May). At 10 °C, up to 51% of parr originally in the LMG became smolts in spring at age 1+. In contrast, at either 6 or 3 °C (control), < 6% of LMG parr became smolts. The probability of being recruited into the UMG overwinter was positively related to initial body size, and was increased by size-grading. Smolt recruitment was two-fold higher among females compared to males; a proportion of males by age 0+ had already opted to mature at age 1+ rather than smolt at age 1+. In contrast, smolting at age 1+ was not inhibited in males previously mature at age 0+. During summer (May to Nov), all experimental groups were reared at ambient temperature, each subdivided between fresh water (max 21 °C) or seawater (max 15 °C). Good growth in seawater of winter recruits into the UMG confirmed they had completed smolting. Mortality in seawater among parr was 41–83%, and among smolts was 10–22%. Specific growth rate during summer was inversely related to winter rearing temperature. The incidence of sexual maturity in autumn at age 1+ among male parr was positively related to winter rearing temperature, fork length and condition factor in May, but there was large variation among individuals with respect to body size and maturity. Summer rearing in seawater reduced growth and the incidence of maturation. Parr and post-smolt maturity was 84–99% and 100% in fresh water respectively, 21–58% and 0% in seawater.     

The role of photoperiod and temperature in determination of summer and winter diapause in the cabbage beetle,Colaphellus bowringi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi, is a short-day species undergoing an imaginal summer and winter diapause. Its photoperiodic response highly depends on temperature. All adults entered diapause at ≤ 20 °C regardless of photoperiods. High temperatures strongly weakened the diapause-inducing effects of long daylengths. The diapause-averting influence of short daylengths was expressed only at high temperatures (above 20 °C). This indicates that the beetle has a cryptic ability to reproduce in summer. In fact, summer and winter diapause were induced principally by relatively low temperatures in the field, whereas photoperiod had less influence on diapause induction. The critical daylength for the autumnal population was between 12 h and 13 h. By transferring from a long day to a short day or vice versa at different times after hatching, it was shown that the sensitive stage with regard to photoperiod was the larva, whereas a long day was photoperiodically more potent than a short day. The sensitive stage to temperature encompassed the larval, pupal and adult stages. This different response pattern serves to ensure that the beetle enters summer and winter diapause in time. The selections for non-diapause trait under laboratory (at 25 °C) and natural conditions (at >24 °C) showed that the beetle could lose its sensitivity to photoperiod very rapidly.     

Temperature effects on dormancy levels and germination in temperate forest sedges (Carex)

The effects of stratification temperatures and burial in soil on dormancy levels of Carex pendula L. and C. remota L., two spring-germinating perennials occurring in moist forests, were investigated. Seeds buried for 34 months outdoors, and seeds stratified in the laboratory at temperatures between 3 and 18 °C for periods between 2 and 28 weeks, were tested over a range of temperatures. Seeds of the two species responded similarly to stratification treatments, except for an absolute light requirement in C. pendula. Primary dormancy was alleviated at all stratification temperatures, but low temperatures were more effective than higher ones . (≥ 12 °C). Dormancy induction in non-dormant seeds kept at 5 °C occurred when seeds were subsequently exposed to 18 °C. Dormancy was not induced by a transfer to lower temperatures. Buried seeds of both species exhibited seasonal dormancy cycles with high germination from autumn to spring and low germination during summer. Temperatures at which the processes of dormancy relief and of dormancy induction occurred, overlapped to a high degree. Whether, and when, dormancy changes occurred depended on test conditions. The lower temperature limit for germination (> 10%) was 9 °C in C. remota and 15 °C in C. pendula. Germination ceased abruptly above 36 °C. Germination requirements and dormancy patterns suggest regeneration from seed in late spring and summer at disturbed, open sites (forest gaps) and the capability to form long, persistent seed banks in both species.     

Water temperature behaviour in the River Danube during the twentieth century

Monthly mean water temperatures in the River Danube at Linz, Austria during the period 1901–1990 have been investigated in relation to equivalent information on air temperature and river discharge. Statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in monthly mean water temperatures of 0.8 °C and showed strongest rises in mean values for autumn and early winter months. No statistically significant trends were evident for air temperature or river discharge, and rising water temperatures are likely to reflect increasing human modification of the river system. A strong overall correlation between monthly mean water and air temperatures at Linz was made up of a series of more scattered and less steep water/air temperature relationships for individual months, while the influence of snowmelt runoff depressed average water temperatures in the spring and early summer period by 1.5 °C. Multiple regression relationships developed for individual months from data on air temperature, river discharge and time trend during the study period were able to predict monthly mean water temperatures in 1991 and 1992 with a root mean square error of 0.5 °C. These regression equations, when combined with scenarios of future changes in air temperature and river flow as a consequence of global warming, suggest that only modest rises in monthly mean water temperature will be experienced in the River Danube by the end of the present century, but that increases of > 1 °C for all months, and > 2 °C for the autumn period of low flows, can be anticipated by the year 2030.     

The relationship between gibberellin and floral stimulus inBryophyllum daigremontianum

Summary The long-short-day plantBryophyllum daigremontianum initiates flower buds both upon change from long to short day and after gibberellin application in short day only at night temperatures of 11° and 15°C, but not at 19°C.Flowering of receptor scions in long day or short day takes place just as easily when the donor stocks have been induced by the shift from long day to short day or by gibberellin treatment in short day. Leaves taken from gibberellin-induced plants can also function as donors, even better so than photoperiodically induced leaves. Receptor scions induced by gibberellin-treated donors can in turn induce other vegetative scions (indirect induction).Flower formation induced by the change from long day to short day as well as by gibberellin treatment in short day is always associated with an increased length of newly formed internodes.It is concluded that gibberellin and the floral stimulus are not identical, but that gibberellin is a factor which normally limits production of the floral stimulus inBryophyllum under short days, and that the shift from long day to short results in an increase of the gibberellin level in the plant.With 5 Figures in the TextThis work was in part supported by the National Science Foundation, grants G-16408 and G-17483.     

The annual reproductive cycle of the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha Pallas in lakes

Summary The annual development of the gonads of Dreissena polymorpha was studied at three sampling sites in two lakes over 3 and 1 1/2 years, respectively. A resting stage occurred after the last spawning in summer/autumn. Oogenesis (accompanied by multiplying segmentation of the oogonia and early growth processes of its oocytes) restarted in specimens at least 1 year old at low temperatures (below 10° C) during winter and early spring. At one location (Fühlinger See) the onset of the spawning season was correlated with an increase of water temperatures above 12° C. At 2 m depth, two main spawning periods in May and August were normally recognized, the first at temperatures of 12–16° C, the second at 16–21° C. It was clearly demonstrated for the first time in Dreissena polymorpha that the oocytes became mature in successive cohorts within one gonad. A female mussel may spawn several times during the reproductive season. At 9 m depth, the onset of spawning also started at about 12° C; this occurred in late summer, with two spawning periods within 1 month at a temperature range of 12–16° C. At another location (Heider Bergsee) the size of the gonads and the oocytes was reduced during April of both years studied, when food supply was low simultaneously with rapidly rising water temperatures in this shallow lake. There was no spawning period during spring. The major spawning period was delayed until July (temperatures 19–22°C). This shows (1) the synchronizing influence of low winter temperatures on the annual reproductive cycle and (2) a temperature threshold of at least 12° C for the start of the spawning processes. The results are discussed with regard to the geographical limits of further spread of Dreissena polymorpha.     

Temperature acclimation in overwintering nymphs of a cockroach,Periplaneta japonica: walking on ice

Nymphs of the Yamato cockroach, Periplaneta japonica, showed a seasonal change in the ability to move at low temperature. Laboratory-reared nymphs buried in ice for 15 min-3 h took about 600 s to get up at 25 °C after being placed with their dorsal surface on the floor of a Petri dish. The mean time to get up at 25 °C (recovering time) after 15 or 60-min burial in ice was relatively long in early autumn, decreased rapidly in autumn, reached a minimal level in winter (<100 s) and increased in spring. Temperature was responsible for this seasonal change in physiology, and neither photoperiod nor diapause status was important. Recovering time depended on the acclimation temperature and its duration. For a 10-day exposure in a range of 0-25 °C, the lower the temperature the shorter the recovering. Longer periods of acclimation at these temperatures tended to shorten recovering time. The acquisition of the ability to move on ice is a seasonal phenomenon unique to P. japonica. No comparable response was found in three other cockroaches including two sub-tropical species (Periplaneta americana and Opisthoplatia orientalis) and a temperate species (Blattela nipponica).     

Effect of day length on germination of seeds collected in Alaska

Day length control can effectively limit seed germination to favorable seasons, but this phenomenon has been studied in relatively few wild plants. I tested species from interior Alaska for day length control of germination under controlled conditions, and I also monitored germination phenology in natural habitats. Unstratified and cold-stratified seeds were germinated on short (13 h) and long (22 h) day length and in the dark at constant and alternating temperatures. On long day length, unstratified Ledum decumbens and Saxifraga tricuspidata seeds germinated from 5 C to 20 C, but on short day length few or no seeds germinated at 5 C and 10 C and germination was reduced at higher temperatures. Unstratified seeds of Diapensia lapponica and Chamaedaphne calyculata germinated only at 15 C and 20 C on long day length, and short day length completely inhibited germination. Cold stratification widened the temperature range for germination on both long and short day lengths, but germination was still lower on short than long day length. Germination phenology in natural habitats was consistent with germination in controlled conditions. In these species, short day length and low temperatures interact to inhibit germination in the fall. After overwintering, seeds germinate in the spring at low temperatures and on long day lengths. The inhibitory effect of short day length is not important in the spring because day length is already long at snowmelt.     

Studies on the relationship between air temperature and the differentiation of young spikes of winter wheat in Beijing district

In these studies the optimum temperature indices for spikelet differentiation were found. The critical period determining the number of spikelets on a spike lies between the single ridge stage and the stage of glume differentiation. During this period a daily temperature below 7.5°C is favourable for differentiation of further spikelets. The processes of differentiation of wheat spikes need certain accumulated temperatures for a mean daily temperature above 0°C. The relationship between the rate of spikelet differentiation and temperature during the differentiation period, and the of these periods are discussed. According to the effect of climate in early spring on the number of differentiated spikelets of winter wheat, three climatic types in early spring are suggested.     

Timing of deacclimation affects the ability to recover from simulated winter herbivory

The ability of Vaccinium myrtillus L. to recover from simulated winter herbivory has been investigated on different plants which had been exposed to three elevated temperatures (5 °C, 10 °C or 20 °C) for four weeks in a greenhouse environment. After herbivory, number and length of new aerial shoots and number of leaves/shoot increased faster in plants kept at 5 °C and 10 °C than in those kept at 20 °C. In the following autumn, however, only the shoot number differed between treatments, being greatest in plants of treatments at 5 °C and 10 °C and lowest at 20 °C and the outdoor control. Apparently the plants kept at 20 °C had already used their resources for growth before herbivory simulation, which reduced their recovery ability thereafter. In addition, the growing season was too short for the control plants to produce as many new shoots as the treatments. The results show that the recovery of V. myrtillus from winter herbivory is rapid if it occurs before growth has started. Hence the earlier onset of spring as a consequence of climate warming may not be fatal for the plant, unless the temperature increase triggers growth to start many months earlier than normal.     

Effect of season on peripheral resistance to localised cold stress

This study was carried out to determine the effect that seasonal changes have on the effect of localised cold stress on peripheral temperatures using the foot immersion method with a cold water bath. The subjects were six males and four females. The data were obtained in April, July, October and January. Skin temperature of the right index finger, the forehead, the arm, the cheek, the second toe and the instep were measured before, during and after the immersion of the feet in water at 15°C for 10 mins, as well as oxygen consumption before immersion of the feet.The average finger temperature was highest during foot immersion in the summer, next highest in the winter, then spring, and the lowest during foot immersion in the autumn. The finger temperatures during the pre-immersion period in the autumn tended to be lower than in other seasons. The finger temperatures during the pre-immersion period affected the temperature change of the finger during the immersion period. The rate of increase of the toe temperature and the foot temperature during post-immersion in the summer and the spring were greater than those in the autumn and winter. Oxygen consumption during the pre-immersion period in the autumn was significantly lower than in the other seasons (p<0.001 or 0.010). Cooling the feet caused no significant changes in the temperatures the cheek, forehead or forearm. The cheek temperature in the summer and autumn was cooler than corresponding temperatures taken in the winter and spring.     

Effects of temperature on survival and preimaginal development rates of Colorado potato beetle on potato and horse-nettle: potential role in host range expansion

The effect of temperature on the ability of Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Say) to use horse-nettle (Solanum carolinense L.) as a host plant was determined for larvae from colonies originating from two geographically separated populations, one adapted to horse-nettle (NC) and the other unadapted to horse-nettle (MA). Survival and developmental rate on horse-nettle and potato were measured for larvae from both colonies over a range of constant temperatures (12–30 °C) and one fluctuating temperature regime (22 °C to 30 °C). The ability of Colorado potato beetles to use horse-nettle as a larval host was strongly influenced by temperature, but the effects of temperature differed greatly between beetles from the two colonies. Survival of adapted larvae on horse-nettle was highest and comparable to that on potato at the constant 30 °C and the fluctuating temperature regime. Below 30 °C, survival of adapted larvae decreased drastically but some larvae survived at all temperatures except the lowest (12 °C). In contrast, survival of unadapted larvae to adult occurred only at 30 °C, and was low (10%). At lower temperatures, all larvae died. On potato, the effect of temperature was less dramatic, and consistent across colonies. At 12 °C, survival to adult was poor (ca. 10%), but at higher temperatures, survival increased sharply and larvae from both colonies survived equally well. On potato, small but statistically significant differences in developmental rates between beetle colonies were detected at the constant but not at the fluctuating temperature regimes. Also, the developmental day degree requirements (DD) and the low temperature development threshold (T0) values for the various developmental stages did not differ between colonies on potato. On horse-nettle, development times for both colonies were always significantly longer and DD requirements were greater than on potato. At 30 °C, the only constant temperature at which larvae from the unadapted colony completed development, the development rate to adult emergence was similar to that of beetles from the adapted colony. Differences between colonies in performance on horse-nettle were not a result of host-independent, genetically based differences in the thermal requirements of the two populations. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that adaptation to horse-nettle by Colorado potato beetle may be facilitated by a genotype × environment interaction involving temperature. These findings have important implications for host plant utilization, host range expansion and selection of pest biotypes adapted to plant resistance traits used in crop protection.     

Dormancy and the influence of photoperiod and temperature on sexual maturity in Nicrophorus nepalensis (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

Abstract Carrion beetles (Nicrophorus spp.) use small vertebrate carcasses for food and reproduction. Their ecology and behaviors are highly affected by the availability of carcasses and the surrounding environmental conditions. Our results revealed that in subtropical Fushan, northern Taiwan, N. nepalensis was mainly active in spring (February to May), and could also be found in autumn (October and November); but there was no capture record in summer (June to September) and winter (December and January). A laboratory temperature tolerance study indicated that N. nepalensis adults become inactive at temperatures above 26°C, and had the highest mortality when the temperature was raised from 27°C to 28°C. Furthermore, N. nepalensis became sexually mature at 20°C, depending on the photoperiod: the longer the day, the lower the percentage of sexually mature 2‐week‐old females after emergence. In another experiment, N. nepalensis virgins were paired under three possible conditions at Fushan. At 15°C and 20°C, if carcasses were presented to the pairs within 3 days after emergence, all laid eggs in the second week after emergence. If carcasses were presented 1 week after emergence, most began to reproduce at 20°C with 12.5 h of daylight. However, at 15°C with 11 h of daylight, the carrion beetles hibernated first, and reproduced in the ninth week after emergence. At 25°C with 14 h of daylight, carrion beetles did not bury the mouse carcasses, the females did not lay eggs, and the adult lifespan was only one‐third of that at 20°C. This study revealed that both photoperiod and temperature influence the time needed to reach the sexual maturity of N. nepalensis; and also implied that the narrow temperature tolerance range and dormancy behavior of carrion beetles are highly regulated by those environmental factors.     

Induction of adult diapause in Pyrrhocoris apterus L. by short cold exposure

Summary The ripening of ovaries in the females of Pyrrhocoris apterus can be inhibited not only by short-day photoperiod but also by cold shocks during the first week of the adult life.Ovaries in a part of the females are prevented from ripening by transferring the bugs from 25° C and long-day photoperiod to substantially lower temperatures for 2 (or 4) days. The oviposition is inhibited at least for 3 weeks after the return to original conditions favourable for reproduction. This effect is achieved when cold treatment is combined either with darkness or with long day. A difference between 2 and 4 days of chilling was not recorded. The effect of cold exposure (evaluated in our experiments by the proportion of mature and immature females) depends on the temperature of the cold exposure and on the age of females at the time of transfer to cold. The incidence of immature females was higher when lower temperatures (+2 to +6° C) were used and when females were transferred to cold early (0–2 days) after the adult moult.     

The influence of climate on the timing and rate of spring bird migration

Ecological processes are changing in response to climatic warming. Birds, in particular, have been documented to arrive and breed earlier in spring and this has been attributed to elevated spring temperatures. It is not clear, however, how long-distance migratory birds that overwinter thousands of kilometers to the south in the tropics cue into changes in temperature or plant phenology on northern breeding areas. We explored the relationships between the timing and rate of spring migration of long-distance migratory birds, and variables such as temperature, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and plant phenology, using mist net capture data from three ringing stations in North America over a 40-year period. Mean April/May temperatures in eastern North America varied over a 5°C range, but with no significant trend during this period. Similarly, we found few significant trends toward earlier median capture dates of birds. Median capture dates were not related to the NAO, but were inversely correlated to spring temperatures for almost all species. For every 1°C increase in spring temperature, median capture dates of migratory birds averaged, across species, one day earlier. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) budburst, however, averaged 3 days earlier for every 1°C increase in spring temperature, suggesting that the impact of temperature on plant phenology is three times greater than on bird phenology. To address whether migratory birds adjust their rate of northward migration to changes in temperature, we compared median capture dates for 15 species between a ringing station on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana in the southern USA with two stations approximately 2,500 km to the north. The interval between median capture dates in Louisiana and at the other two ringing stations was inversely correlated with temperature, with an average interval of 22 days, that decreased by 0.8 days per 1°C increase in temperature. Our results suggest that, although the onset of migration may be determined endogenously, the timing of migration is flexible and can be adjusted in response to variation in weather and/or phenology along migration routes.     

Seasonal changes in daily metabolic patterns of Lacerta viridis

Summary Lacerta viridis maintained under natural photoperiodic conditions show daily and seasonal changes in metabolic rates and body temperature (T _b) as well as seasonal differences in sensitivity to temperature change. At all times of the year lizards have a daily fluctuation in oxygen consumption, with higher metabolic rates during the light phase of the day when tested at a constant ambient temperature (T _a) of 30°C. Rhythmicity of metabolic rate persists under constant darkness, but there is a decrease in the amplitude of the rhythm.Oxygen consumption measured at various T_as shows significant seasonal differences at T _as above 20°C. Expressed as the Arrhenius activation energy, metabolic sensitivity of Lacerta viridis shows temperature dependence in autumn, which changes to metabolic temperature independence in spring at T _as above 20°C. The results indicate a synergic relationship between changing photoperiod and body temperature selection, resulting in seasonal metabolic adjustment and seasonal adaptation.Abbreviations ANOVA analysis of variance - LD long day (16 h light) - SD short day (8 h light) - T _a ambient temperature - T _b body temperature