Abstract

LARA-RESENDIZ, Rafael A. et al. Thermoregulation in two sympatric populations of lizard: Sceloporus lineolateralis and Sceloporus poinsettii (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) in Durango, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2014, vol.85, n.3, pp.875-884. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.7550/rmb.36603.

Environmental temperature is an important factor that regulates activity and physiological processes of ectotherms. Because sympatric species are exposed to similar thermal niche conditions, closely related species could present similar thermal requirements. This similarity may generate interspecific competition for optimal thermal space. The thermal ecology of the sympatric viviparous lizards Sceloporus lineolateralis and S. poinsettii (Sceloporus torquatus and Sceloporus poinsettii groups, respectively) were studied in natural populations in Peñón Blanco, Durango, Mexico. We found that active body temperatures and selected body temperatures were similar among species. However, S. poinsettii exhibited higher efficiency and accuracy of thermoregulation because the preferred thermal range of this species was wider. Finally their thermal preferences are analogous to those previously reported for the both groups and the genus.

Keywords : thermal quality; thermoregulatory efficiency; desert scrub; sceloporines; sympatry; thermal niche.

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