Measuring body temperatures in small lacertids: Infrared vs. contact thermometers

Carretero, Miguel Á.

doi:10.11160/bah.12003

Cited by 24 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The T p value of T. mauritanica (mean, 29.807C) is substantially lower than that of the diurnal gecko Ptyodactylus hasselquistii puiseuxi from Israel (33.57C; Arad et al 1989) or averaged diurnal lizards from Australia (35.07C), the Kalahari (36.47C), and North America (37.17C; . As also documented in Gil et al (1994), our results do not support a negative relationship between mean T p and size or mass, as reported by Carretero (2008) or even by Vasconcelos et al (2012) using the Cape Verdean Tarentola substituta. In fact, our results, supported by robust sample sizes, suggest that there is no correspondence between T p and body size.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

“…Earlier studies of preferred T p of the Moorish gecko (Gil et al 1994;Arad et al 1997;Carretero 2008) have indicated very distinct results with respect to temperature patterns and mean T p , which might be related to the collection of data during distinct experimental seasons and the use of different evolutionary lineages of T. mauritanica. Recently, a study of the niche evolution of this group has been performed that correlates presence records of all lineages and current bioclimatic variables to build species distribution models (SDMs; Rato et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…T p was measured with a K-thermocouple digital thermometer (HIBOK 14, precision 0.017C) by inserting a probe in the cloaca every hour during an 8-h period comprising the activity range of the species (from 1700 to 2400 hours local time). This procedure was applied due to the size of the geckos, which would impair the use of permanent cloacal probes and/or internal transmitters (ClusellaTrullas et al 2007) and would not allow accurate infrared readings (Carretero 2012). Snout-ventral length (SVL) of each gecko was also recorded to the nearest 0.01 mm using a digital calliper.…”

Section: Thermal Gradient Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecophysiology Tracks Phylogeny and Meets Ecological Models in an Iberian Gecko

Rato

Carretero²

2015

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology

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Because fitness of ectotherms, including reptiles, is highly dependent on temperature and water availability, the study of ecophysiological traits, such as preferred temperature (T p) and water loss rates (WLRs), may provide mechanistic evidence on the restricting factors to the species ranges. The Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica, is a species complex with a circum-Mediterranean distribution. In the Iberian Peninsula, two sister parapatric forms of the complex, known as the Iberian and the European clades, are found. Ecological models previously performed using presence records and bioclimatic variables suggest niche divergence between both lineages correlated with precipitation rather than with temperature. In this study, we test this correlative hypothesis using ecophysiological evidence. In the laboratory, we analyzed the T p and WLRs for 84 adult males from seven distinct populations ascribed to one of the two lineages present in Iberia. Specifically, we evaluated the existence of trait conservatism versus adaptation among populations, lineages, or both. In addition, we tested for a trade-off between water and thermal traits and assessed whether climate regime of sampling localities had any influence on the ecophysiological patterns found. We found that T p is quite conserved at both the population and lineage levels and independent from body size. In contrast, water loss experiments revealed some variation among populations, but the regression analysis failed to detect correlation between T p and WLR at any level. Overall, the European lineage displayed a trend for higher water loss and was more diverse among populations when compared with the Iberian lineage. The lack of correspondence between ecophysiological traits and local climatic conditions favors phylogenetic signal versus adaptation. This suggests divergent evolutionary responses to the environment, mainly acting on water ecology, in both lineages, which may account for the differences in their range expansion.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Thermal Gradient Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecophysiology Tracks Phylogeny and Meets Ecological Models in an Iberian Gecko

Rato

Carretero²

2015

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology

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“…With increasing distance the measurement 'spot' becomes too large for measuring the temperature of specific regions. Nevertheless, these devices gave equally good measurements of skin temperature in ectotherms as did thermistors placed on the skin [100], but of course peripheral temperature recorded with this technique will differ from cloacal temperature [101]. Infrared sensors can provide continuous monitoring of surface body temperature with an automated data collection system or can also be used remotely in nest boxes to study thermoregulation and torpor [102].…”

Section: Alternatives To Infrared Thermography For Remote Non-contacmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges of measuring body temperatures of free-ranging birds and mammals

2015

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The thermal physiology of most birds and mammals is characterised by considerable spatial and temporal variation in body temperature. Body temperature is, therefore, a key parameter in physiological, behavioural and ecological research. Temperature measurements on freely moving or free-ranging animals in the wild are challenging but can be undertaken using a range of techniques. Internal temperature may be sampled using thermometry, surgically implanted loggers or transmitters, gastrointestinal or non-surgically placed devices. Less invasive approaches measure peripheral temperature with subcutaneous passive integrated transponder tags or skin surface-mounted radio transmitters and data loggers, or use infrared thermography to record surface temperature. Choice of technique is determined by focal research question and region of interest that reflects appropriate physiological or behavioural causal mechanisms of temperature change, as well as welfare and logistical considerations. Particularly required are further studies that provide opportunities of continuously sampling from multiple sites from within the body. This will increase our understanding of thermoregulation and temperature variation in different parts of the body and how these temperatures may change in response to physiological, behavioural and environmental parameters. Technological advances that continue to reduce the size and remote sensing capability of temperature recorders will greatly benefit field research.

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“…Skin surface temperature (T sk ) gives an accurate estimate of cloacal temperature (T b ) in small lizards (Herczeg et al, 2006;Hare, Whitworth & Cree, 2007;Carretero, 2012). This non-invasive technique minimizes disturbance to animals and avoids handling stress.…”

Section: Validation Of Body Temperature Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal constraints and the influence of reproduction on thermoregulation in a high‐altitude gecko (Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus)

et al. 2016

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Temperature plays a crucial role for ectotherm performance and thus for fitness. Terrestrial ectotherms, including reptiles, regulate their body temperature mainly by behavioural means. At high altitude, however, thermal constraints make precise thermoregulation costly. The cost–benefit model of lizard thermoregulation predicts that thermally challenging environments should favour the evolution of thermoconformity. Yet, several species maintain high and stable body temperatures even in cool environments. We studied the Atlas Day Gecko, Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus, a cold‐adapted lizard endemic to the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. We quantified thermoregulation in gravid females, non‐gravid adult females, and adult males during the active season. Geckos thermoregulated during their active season, and thermoregulated with more effectiveness early in the season than late in the season. In the laboratory, the preferred body temperature ranges of gravid females, non‐gravid females, and males were not significantly different. In the field, however, gravid females had smaller deviations from the preferred body temperature and maintained higher body temperatures than males and non‐gravid females. Our study suggests that cold‐adapted reptiles adjust their thermoregulatory behaviour in response to thermal constraints and reproductive status.

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Measuring body temperatures in small lacertids: Infrared vs. contact thermometers

Cited by 24 publications

References 13 publications

Ecophysiology Tracks Phylogeny and Meets Ecological Models in an Iberian Gecko

Ecophysiology Tracks Phylogeny and Meets Ecological Models in an Iberian Gecko

Challenges of measuring body temperatures of free-ranging birds and mammals

Thermal constraints and the influence of reproduction on thermoregulation in a high‐altitude gecko (Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus)

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