Physiological Limits along an Elevational Gradient in a Radiation of Montane Ground Beetles.

ABSTRACT: A central challenge in ecology and biogeography is to determine the extent to which physiological constraints govern the geographic ranges of species along environmental gradients. This study tests the hypothesis that temperature and desiccation tolerance are associated with the elevational ranges of 12 ground beetle species (genus Nebria) occurring on Mt. Rainier, Washington, U.S.A. Species from higher elevations did not have greater cold tolerance limits than lower-elevation species (all species ranged from -3.5 to -4.1°C), despite a steep decline in minimum temperature with elevation. Although heat tolerance limits varied among species (from 32.0 to 37.0°C), this variation was not generally associated with the relative elevational range of a species. Temperature gradients and acute ther

SUBMITTER: Slatyer RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4820226 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature