High temperature constrains reproductive success in a temperate lizard: implications for distribution range limits and the impacts of climate change

Monasterio, Camila; Shoo, Luke P.; Salvador, Alfredo; Iraeta, Pablo; Dı́az, José A.

doi:10.1111/jzo.12057

Cited by 25 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(59 reference statements)

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“…To illustrate this point, we predicted annual restriction times of 596, 668, 697 and 715 hr per 5 × 5 km 2 grid cell using the CT max of each of four populations of the Schreiber's green lizard L. schreiberi (CT max range = 40.5–42.9°C across individuals, and 41.0–42.1°C among population medians). This species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, where it is mostly restricted to riparian shrubs in mountain ranges and low temperate forests close to mountain slopes (Monasterio, Shoo, Salvador, Iraeta, & Díaz, ). Our population‐based modelling variation above would imply differences in predicted annual restriction times for the species from 85 to 102 seven‐hour days per grid cell during which individuals would be forced to shelter from overheating.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intraspecific variation in lizard heat tolerance alters estimates of climate impact

Herrando‐Pérez

Ferri‐Yáñez

Monasterio

et al. 2018

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Research addressing the effects of global warming on the distribution and persistence of species generally assumes that population variation in thermal tolerance is spatially constant or overridden by interspecific variation. Typically, this rationale is implicit in sourcing one critical thermal maximum (CTmax) population estimate per species to model spatiotemporal cross‐taxa variation in heat tolerance. Theory suggests that such an approach could result in biased or imprecise estimates and forecasts of impact from climate warming, but limited empirical evidence in support of those expectations exists. We experimentally quantify the magnitude of intraspecific variation in CTmax among lizard populations, and the extent to which incorporating such variability can alter estimates of climate impact through a biophysical model. To do so, we measured CTmax from 59 populations of 15 Iberian lizard species (304 individuals). The overall median CTmax across all individuals from all species was 42.8°C and ranged from 40.5 to 48.3°C, with species medians decreasing through xeric, climate‐generalist and mesic taxa. We found strong statistical support for intraspecific differentiation in CTmax by up to a median of 3°C among populations. We show that annual restricted activity (operative temperature > CTmax) over the Iberian distribution of our study species differs by a median of >80 hr per 25‐km2 grid cell based on different population‐level CTmax estimates. This discrepancy leads to predictions of spatial variation in annual restricted activity to change by more than 20 days for six of the study species. Considering that during restriction periods, reptiles should be unable to feed and reproduce, current projections of climate‐change impacts on the fitness of ectotherm fauna could be under‐ or over‐estimated depending on which population is chosen to represent the physiological spectra of the species in question. Mapping heat tolerance over the full geographical ranges of single species is thus critical to address cross‐taxa patterns and drivers of heat tolerance in a biologically comprehensive way.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intraspecific variation in lizard heat tolerance alters estimates of climate impact

Herrando‐Pérez

Ferri‐Yáñez

Monasterio

et al. 2018

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…, Monasterio et al. , Srinivasulu and Srinivasulu ); or they may become extinct (Devictor et al. , , Raxworthy et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), much less is known about the underlying ecological processes (e.g., Monasterio et al. ). Investigating these processes and linking them to abundance or distribution patterns is critical for understanding and predicting the effects of climate change on biodiversity (Jenouvrier et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some like it hot: from individual to population responses of an arboreal arid‐zone gecko to local and distant climate

Grimm‐Seyfarth

Mihoub

Gruber

et al. 2018

Ecological Monographs

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Accumulating evidence has demonstrated considerable impact of climate change on biodiversity, with terrestrial ectotherms being particularly vulnerable. While climate‐induced range shifts are often addressed in the literature, little is known about the underlying ecological responses at individual and population levels. Using a 30‐yr monitoring study of the long‐living nocturnal gecko Gehyra variegata in arid Australia, we determined the relative contribution of climatic factors acting locally (temperature, rainfall) or distantly (La Niña induced flooding) on ecological processes ranging from traits at the individual level (body condition, body growth) to the demography at population level (survival, sexual maturity, population sizes). We also investigated whether thermoregulatory activity during both active (night) and resting (daytime) periods of the day can explain these responses. Gehyra variegata responded to local and distant climatic effects. Both high temperatures and high water availability enhanced individual and demographic parameters. Moreover, the impact of water availability was scale independent as local rainfall and La Niña induced flooding compensated each other. When water availability was low, however, extremely high temperatures delayed body growth and sexual maturity while survival of individuals and population sizes remained stable. This suggests a trade‐off with traits at the individual level that may potentially buffer the consequences of adverse climatic conditions at the population level. Moreover, hot temperatures did not impact nocturnal nor diurnal behavior. Instead, only cool temperatures induced diurnal thermoregulatory behavior with individuals moving to exposed hollow branches and even outside tree hollows for sun‐basking during the day. Since diurnal behavioral thermoregulation likely induced costs on fitness, this could decrease performance at both individual and population level under cool temperatures. Our findings show that water availability rather than high temperature is the limiting factor in our focal population of G. variegata. In contrast to previous studies, we stress that drier rather than warmer conditions are expected to be detrimental for nocturnal desert reptiles. Identifying the actual limiting climatic factors at different scales and their functional interactions at different ecological levels is critical to be able to predict reliably future population dynamics and support conservation planning in arid ecosystems.

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“…Importantly, reaction norms may differ among populations as the result of physiological constraints on optimal development across developmental temperatures and/or local adaptation to optimize phenotypes across temperatures within the range that populations have experienced historically (Caley & Schwarzkopf, ; Chevin, Lande, & Mace, ; Merilä, ; Visser, ). Such population‐specific reaction norms can help us understand how micro and macroclimates affect phenotypic traits related to fitness within populations (e.g., Monasterio, Shoo, Salvador, Iraeta, & Díaz, ; While et al., ). Unsurprisingly, this information is increasingly being used to predict the potential impact of projected changes in climate on population and species persistence via effects on the development of fitness related traits (Noble et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic rates of development and the effect of thermal extremes on offspring fitness in a cold‐climate viviparous lizard

et al. 2018

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Populations at the climatic margins of a species' distribution can be exposed to conditions that cause developmental stress, resulting in developmental abnormalities. Even within the thermal range of normal development, phenotypes often vary with developmental temperature (i.e., thermal phenotypic plasticity). These effects can have significant consequences for organismal fitness and, thus, population persistence. Reptiles, as ectotherms, are particularly vulnerable to thermal effects on development and are, therefore, considered to be at comparatively high risk from changing climates. Understanding the extent and direction of thermal effects on phenotypes and their fitness consequences is crucial if we are to make meaningful predictions of how populations and species will respond as climates warm. Here, we experimentally manipulated the thermal conditions experienced by females from a high-altitude, cold-adapted population of the viviparous skink, Niveoscincus ocellatus, to examine the consequences of thermal conditions at the margins of this population's normal temperature range. We found strong effects of thermal conditions on the development of key phenotypic traits that have implications for fitness. Specifically, we found that offspring born earlier as a result of high temperatures during gestation had increased growth over the first winter of life, but there was no effect on offspring survival, nor was there an effect of developmental temperature on the incidence of developmental abnormalities. Combined, our results suggest that advancing birth dates that result from warming climates may have positive effects in this population via increased growth.

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High temperature constrains reproductive success in a temperate lizard: implications for distribution range limits and the impacts of climate change

Cited by 25 publications

References 43 publications

Intraspecific variation in lizard heat tolerance alters estimates of climate impact

Intraspecific variation in lizard heat tolerance alters estimates of climate impact

Some like it hot: from individual to population responses of an arboreal arid‐zone gecko to local and distant climate

Plastic rates of development and the effect of thermal extremes on offspring fitness in a cold‐climate viviparous lizard

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