Hydric and Thermal Traits of Northern Australian Geckos: Water Loss Is Not Explained by Aridity.

ABSTRACT: Behavioural and physiological adaptations are important for maintaining stable hydric states and viable body temperatures under challenging conditions experienced in variable terrestrial environments. For example, reptiles from arid locations tend to have lower rates of evaporative water loss (EWL). Here we test the prediction that geckos adapt their physiology to match the local environment to reduce hydric and thermal stress. Specifically, we compared EWL and preferred temperature among closely related species living under a range of climatic conditions. EWL rates were measured using a flow-through system in 18 species in the genus Gehyra collected from 11 locations across a strong gradient in aridity in tropical northern Australia during the dry season (Austral winter), and prefe

SUBMITTER: Skelton K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12171639 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature