Natura Croatica Issue number: Natura Croatica, Vol. 8 No.3

Temperatura tijela u prirodi, mehanizmi termoregulacije i evolucija termalnih karakteristika u lacertidnih guštera

Authors: Aurora M. Castilla, Raoul Van Damme, Dirk Bauwens

Authors and affiliation

  • Aurora M. Castilla Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, E–07071 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
  • Raoul Van Damme Laboratory for Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
  • Dirk Bauwens Institute of Nature Conservation, Kliniekstraat 25, B–1070 Brussel, Belgium

Abstract

We discuss three aspects of the thermal biology of lacertid lizards. First, we provide an overview of the available data on field body temperatures (Tb), the thermal sensitivity of various performance functions and selected body temperatures in different species of lacertid lizards. We also briefly summarise information on the mechanisms of thermoregulation. Second, we discuss recent developments to estimate the »precision« of thermoregulation, and the contribution of distinct behavioural mechanisms. Finally, we revise available evidence for the existence of evolutionary adjustments of thermal characteristics in lacertid lizards. Existing studies have mainly dealt with within- and among-species differences in thermoregulatory behaviour (selected temperatures) and thermal physiology of adults (optimal temperatures, heating rates). Available data provide only limited evidence for clear-cut evolutionary shifts in thermal physiology characteristics along climatic gradients.

Keywords

body temperatures, thermoregulation, thermal sensitivity, Lacertidae

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