Seasonal and geographic variation in thermal biology of the lizard Microlophus atacamensis (Squamata: Tropiduridae)

Abstract

1. We studied physiological thermal adaptation in the lizard Microlophus atacamensis along a latitudinal range. 2. Field body temperatures were independent from thermal environmental conditions, and show seasonal, but not geographical differences. Selected body temperature did not differ among localities and seasons, and differs from body temperature in fall, but not in spring. We found no difference among sites for heating and cooling rates. 3. Our results suggest that M. atacamensis compensates thermal environmental variation mainly by behavioral means.