Thermal ecology of the lizard Sceloporus gadoviae (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) in a semiarid region of southern Puebla, Mexico.

Abstract

We studied the thermal ecology of the lizard Sceloporus gadoviae from Puebla, Mexico. Mean body temperature (Tb) was 31.5 ± 0.3˚C. A multiple regression suggested that Tb was affected by substrate temperature and solar insolation, and minimally affected by ambient temperature (Ta), sex, and body size. However, body temperature was higher in females than males, and higher in gravid females than non-gravid females. We also found significant differences in Tbs of lizards occupying microhabitats with different insolation (sunny, overcast day, and shade). Results suggest that variation in Tb of S. gadoviae can be explained by reproductive condition, microhabitat use, and variation in substrate temperature of microhabitats occupied by these lizards.

Keywords

• body temperature
• reproductive condition
• Tehuacan
• thermoregulation.