The evolution of body size under environmental gradients in ectotherms: why should Bergmann's rule apply to lizards?

ABSTRACT:

Background

The impact of environmental gradients on the evolution of life history traits is a central issue in macroecology and evolutionary biology. A number of hypotheses have been formulated to explain factors shaping patterns of variation in animal mass. One such example is Bergmann's rule, which predicts that body size will be positively correlated with latitude and elevation, and hence, with decreasing environmental temperatures. A generally accepted explanation for this phenotypic response is that as body mass increases, body surface area gets proportionally smaller, which contributes to reduced rates of heat-loss. Phylogenetic and non-phylogenetic evidence reveals that endotherms follow Bergmann's rule. In contrast, while previous non-phylogenetic studies supported this pre

SUBMITTER: Pincheira-Donoso D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2268677 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature