Field thermal biology in Phymaturus lizards: Comparisons from the Andes to the Patagonian steppe in Argentina

• Published in: Journal of arid environments 2008-09, Vol.72 (9), p.1620-1630
• Main Authors: Ibargüengoytía, N.R., Acosta, J.C., Boretto, J.M., Villavicencio, H.J., Marinero, J.A., Krenz, J.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: air temperature; altitude; ambient temperature; Amphibia. Reptilia; Animal and plant ecology; animal reproduction; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Bioenergetics; Biological and medical sciences; body temperature; climatic factors; diet; fecundity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Lacertilia; Liolaemidae; lizards; mountains; Phymaturus punae; Phymaturus tenebrosus; Phymaturus zapalensis; Reproduction; rocks; spatial variation; species differences; steppes; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; Thermophysiology; Thigmothermy; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; wildlife habitats
• ISSN: 0140-1963; 1095-922X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2008.03.018

The genus Phymaturus (Liolaemidae) is a group of rock-dwelling and viviparous lizards distributed in the highlands of the Andes and on the volcanic plateaus of Patagonia, Argentina. They are restricted to harsh environments characterized by cold-temperate summers and snowy winters that constrain growth, fecundity, and length of reproductive cycles. In the present study, the field body temperatures of Phymaturus punae, Phymaturus zapalensis, and Phymaturus tenebrosus distributed along a latitudinal and altitudinal gradient are analysed in relation to differences in their life histories. Each of the three species shows differences in their body temperatures depending if they are inside or outside the rock crevices. As was expected, body temperatures of lizards inside the rock crevices follow the air and substrate temperatures, but outside the crevices, a paradox was observed. P. zapalensis, living in the most-temperate climate and with body temperatures no different than P. tenebrosus, unexpectedly had lower body temperatures than P. punae, living at 4000 m elevation. Our results suggest that diet, the ability to be active over a broad thermal range, and a longer activity season can counteract the effect of body temperature on the timing and allocation of energy to growth, maturation and reproduction.