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Article
Physiology at near‐critical temperatures, but not critical limits, varies between two lizard species that partition the thermal environment
Journal of Animal Ecology
  • Rory S. Telemeco, Iowa State University
  • Eric J. Gangloff, Iowa State University
  • Gerardo A. Codero, Iowa State University
  • Rebecca L. Polich, Iowa State University
  • Anne M. Bronikowski, Iowa State University
  • Fredric J. Janzen, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Accepted Manuscript
Publication Date
11-1-2017
DOI
10.1111/1365-2656.12738
Abstract

1. The mechanisms that mediate the interaction between the thermal environment and species’ ranges are generally uncertain. Thermal environments may directly restrict species when environments exceed tolerance limits (i.e. the fundamental niche). However, thermal environments might also differentially affect relative performance among species prior to fundamental tolerances being met (i.e. the realized niche).

2. We examined stress physiology (plasma glucose and corticosterone), mitochondrial performance, and the muscle metabolome of congeneric lizards that naturally partition the thermal niche, Elgaria multicarinata (southern alligator lizards; SAL) and E. coerulea (northern alligator lizards; NAL), in response to a thermal challenge to quantify variation in physiological performance and tolerance.

3. Both NAL and SAL displayed physiological stress in response to high temperature, but neither showed signs of irreversible damage. NAL displayed a higher baseline mitochondrial respiration rate than SAL. Moreover, NAL substantially adjusted their physiology in response to thermal challenge whereas SAL did not. For example, the metabolite profile of NAL shifted with changes in key energetic molecules, whereas these were unaffected in SAL.

4. Our results indicate that near-critical high temperatures should incur greater energetic cost in NAL than SAL via an elevated metabolic rate and changes to the metabolome. Thus, SAL displace NAL in warm environments that are within NAL’s fundamental thermal niche, but relatively costly.

5. Our results suggest that sub-critical thermal events can contribute to biogeographic patterns via physiological differences that alter the relative costs of living in warm or cool environments.

Comments

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Telemeco, Rory S., Eric J. Gangloff, Gerardo A. Cordero, Rebecca L. Polich, Anne M. Bronikowski, and Fredric J. Janzen. "Physiology at near‐critical temperatures, but not critical limits, varies between two lizard species that partition the thermal environment." Journal of Animal Ecology 86, no. 6 (2017): 1510-1522, which has been published in final form at doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.12738. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.

Copyright Owner
The Authors
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Rory S. Telemeco, Eric J. Gangloff, Gerardo A. Codero, Rebecca L. Polich, et al.. "Physiology at near‐critical temperatures, but not critical limits, varies between two lizard species that partition the thermal environment" Journal of Animal Ecology Vol. 86 Iss. 6 (2017) p. 1510 - 1522
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/fredric-janzen/57/