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Temperature effects on bioenergetics of growth, assimilaton efficiency and thyroid activity in juvenile varand lizards |
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| Authors: | Rochelle Buffenstein Gideon Louw |
| Institution: | Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa |
| Abstract: | When varanid lizards, Varanus niloticus, were allowed to select their preferred body temperature (c. 34°C) they exhibited swifter growth, larger food intake and superior efficiency of conversion when compared with animals restricted to a maximum body temperature of 24°C. At the higher temperature the animals also exhibited a higher metabolic rate and increased thyroid activity, while those at the lower temperature lostproportionately more energy via respiration. A complete energy budget over a period of 6 weeks is presented. |
| Keywords: | Temperature food intake growth assimilation efficiency conversion efficiency fat bodies reptilian skin metabolic rate thyroid function varanid lizards Varanus niloticus |
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