Field Body Temperatures, Mechanisms of Thermoregulation and Evolution of Thermal Characteristics in Lacertid Lizards

Castilla, A. M., Van Damme, R. & Bauwens, D.: Field body temperatures, mechanisms of thermoregulation and evolution of thermal characteristics in lacertid lizards. Nat. Croat., Vol. 8, No. 3., 253–274, 1999, Zagreb. We discuss three aspects of the thermal biology of lacertid lizards. First, we provide an overview of the available data on field body temperatures (Tb), the thermal sensitivity of various performance functions and selected body temperatures in different species of lacertid lizards. We also briefly summarise information on the mechanisms of thermoregulation. Second, we discuss recent developments to estimate the »precision« of thermoregulation, and the contribution of distinct behavioural mechanisms. Finally, we revise available evidence for the existence of evolutionary adjustments of thermal characteristics in lacertid lizards. Existing studies have mainly dealt with withinand among-species differences in thermoregulatory behaviour (selected temperatures) and thermal physiology of adults (optimal temperatures, heating rates). Available data provide only limited evidence for clear-cut evolutionary shifts in thermal physiology characteristics along climatic gradients.