Thermal ecology of Microlophus occipitalis (Sauria: Tropiduridae) in the Plain Dry Forest of Tumbes, Peru

The thermal ecology of Microlophus occipitalis Peters 1871 in the plain dry forests of Tumbes (northewestern Peru) was studied. Mean body temperature was 36.1 ± 1.8 ºC, similar to body temperatures exposed by Microlophus peruvianus in northern Peru. There were no differences between body temperature...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Jordán A., Juan C., Pérez Z., José
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2012
Country:Perú
Institution:Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos
Repository:Revistas - Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos
Language:Spanish
OAI Identifier:oai:revistasinvestigacion.unmsm.edu.pe:article/794
Online Access:https://revistasinvestigacion.unmsm.edu.pe/index.php/rpb/article/view/794
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:lizard
thermal ecology
Cerros de Amotape National Park
Tumbes
lagartijas
ecología termal
Parque Nacional Cerros de Amotape
Description
Summary:The thermal ecology of Microlophus occipitalis Peters 1871 in the plain dry forests of Tumbes (northewestern Peru) was studied. Mean body temperature was 36.1 ± 1.8 ºC, similar to body temperatures exposed by Microlophus peruvianus in northern Peru. There were no differences between body temperature and degree of thermoregulation of males and females, due to a possible association to their social structure and microhabitat use. Air and substrate temperature affects the body temperature of Microlophus occipitalis, where air temperature accounts for a significant proportion of body temperature variation. We suggest more detailed studies on this lizard species, especially under climate change scenarios in northwestern Peru.