Could plasticity mediate highlands lizards' resilience to climate change? A case study of the leopard iguana (Diplolaemus leopardinus) in Central Andes of Argentina.
Metabolism
Phenotypic plasticity
Reptiles
Thermal preference
Water loss
Journal
The Journal of experimental biology
ISSN: 1477-9145
Titre abrégé: J Exp Biol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 0243705
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 07 2021
15 07 2021
Historique:
received:
30
03
2021
accepted:
16
06
2021
pubmed:
24
6
2021
medline:
7
8
2021
entrez:
23
6
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The predicted rise of global temperatures is of major concern for ectotherms because of its direct impact on their behavior and physiology. As physiological performance mediates a species' resilience to warming exposure, physiological plasticity could greatly reduce the susceptibility to climate change. We studied the degree to which Diplolaemus leopardinus lizards are able to adjust behavioral and physiological traits in response to short periods of temperature change. We used a split cross design to measure the acclimation response of preferred body temperature (Tp), and the thermal performance curve of resting metabolic rate (RMR) and evaporative water loss (EWL). Our results showed that plasticity differs among traits: whereas Tp and EWL showed lower values in warm conditions, the body temperature at which RMR was highest increased. Moreover, RMR was affected by thermal history, showing a large increase in response to cold exposure in the group initially acclimated to warm temperatures. The reduction of EWL and the increase in optimal temperature will give lizards the potential to partially mitigate the impact of rising temperatures in the energy cost and water balance. However, the decrease in Tp and the sensitivity to the warm thermal history of RMR could be detrimental to the energy net gain, increasing the species' vulnerability, especially considering the increase of heat waves predicted for the next 50 years. The integration of acclimation responses in behavioral and physiological traits provides a better understanding of the range of possible responses of lizards to cope with the upcoming climatic and environmental modifications expected as a result of climate change.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34160050
pii: 269253
doi: 10.1242/jeb.242647
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© 2021. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests.