Novel method to investigate thermal exchange rates in small, terrestrial ectotherms: A proof-of-concept on the gecko Tarentola mauritanica.

ABSTRACT: Thermoregulating ectotherms may resort to different external heat sources to modulate their body temperature through an array of behavioural and physiological adaptations which modulate heat exchange with the environment and its distribution across the animal's body. Even small-bodied animals are capable of fine control over such rates and the subsequent re-allocation of heat across the body. Such thermal exchanges with the environment usually happen through two non-mutually exclusive modes: heliothermy (radiant heat gain from the sun) or thigmothermy (heat gained or lost via conduction). Classically, the study of these phenomena has relied on invasive methodologies which often disregard the effect of stress, behaviour and regional heterothermy on the rates and patterns of thermal exchange

SUBMITTER: Mochales-Riano G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11670986 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature