Thermal Physiology of the Giant Day Gecko, Phelsuma grandis

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

Ectotherms rely on their environment to regulate and maintain their body temperature. That being so, environmental fluctuations have a strong impact on their biology. Lizards are ectotherms that are suitable models to investigate thermal physiology, however, the bulk of this research has been studied using new world Anolis lizards. In this study, the giant day gecko, Phelsuma grandis, native to Madagascar but captive bred in Florida, was selected as a model for comparison. Thermoregulation in P. grandis may be distinct from Anolis, whose ancestors were diurnal. In contrast, this species is diurnal but evolved from nocturnal ancestry. In our physiotype of P. grandis we include measurements of metabolic rate, performance (sprint speed), and thermal preference. This research will provide an additional set of data to evaluate the sensitivity of ectotherms to a changing climate, while also providing insights into the thermal biology of a species that has secondarily evolved diurnality.

Comments

Studies in Biology
BLH 266

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