Biophysical Ecology and Pattern Recognition
Biophysical Ecology and Pattern Recognition
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to investigate behavioral adaptations of a lizard, Lacertilia, to its environment. Twelve peeps, representing the lizards, were placed in a habitat with two microhabitats of different temperatures. Six peeps were placed in one microhabitat, and six in the other. The internal temperature of these “lizards” was measured over a period of 20 minutes to see if their body temperatures matched that of their environment and to make inferences about the behavioral adaptations the organism might acquire to maintain its body temperature. One microhabitat was on a tree and under the branches; the other was at the base of the tree. We hypothesized that the microhabitat in the branches of the tree would be cooler, and at the base of the tree would be warmer. The average body temperature was higher in the warmer microhabitat, and lower in the cooler microhabitat, which supports our hypothesis. Under the tree branches, the peeps were exposed to increased convection and decreased radiation. At the base of the tree, the peeps were exposed to increased radiation and conduction.
Introduction:
Habitat temperature differences are a major focus in ecology because it impacts the organism’s ability to perform tasks. Biophysical ecology involves the behavior and morphologies of organisms and how that might alter the temperature of their bodies. Understanding mechanisms that control body temperatures of ectotherms is an important part of population ecology. Body temperature determines sprint speeds of snakes and lizards, flying abilities of insects, survival rates of interdal organisms, and rates of water loss in plants (Course Material). Ectotherms are organisms that resemble their environment in terms of body temperature, and unlike endotherms, do not use metabolic processes to control their body temperature. Ectotherms’ body temperature depends on their surrounding thermal environment and the relationship
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to investigate behavioral adaptations of a lizard, Lacertilia, to its environment. Twelve peeps, representing the lizards, were placed in a habitat with two microhabitats of different temperatures. Six peeps were placed in one microhabitat, and six in the other. The internal temperature of these “lizards” was measured over a period of 20 minutes to see if their body temperatures matched that of their environment and to make inferences about the behavioral adaptations the organism might acquire to maintain its body temperature. One microhabitat was on a tree and under the branches; the other was at the base of the tree. We hypothesized that the microhabitat in the branches of the tree would be cooler, and at the base of the tree would be warmer. The average body temperature was higher in the warmer microhabitat, and lower in the cooler microhabitat, which supports our hypothesis. Under the tree branches, the peeps were exposed to increased convection and decreased radiation. At the base of the tree, the peeps were exposed to increased radiation and conduction.
Introduction:
Habitat temperature differences are a major focus in ecology because it impacts the organism’s ability to perform tasks. Biophysical ecology involves the behavior and morphologies of organisms and how that might alter the temperature of their bodies. Understanding mechanisms that control body temperatures of ectotherms is an important part of population ecology. Body temperature determines sprint speeds of snakes and lizards, flying abilities of insects, survival rates of interdal organisms, and rates of water loss in plants (Course Material). Ectotherms are organisms that resemble their environment in terms of body temperature, and unlike endotherms, do not use metabolic processes to control their body temperature. Ectotherms’ body temperature depends on their surrounding thermal environment and the relationship
Cited: Gunderson, AR., Leal, M. 2012. Geographic variation in vulnerability to climate warming in a tropical Caribbean lizard. Functional Ecology. Volume: 26. Pages 783-793. Kearney, M., Porter, WP. 2004. Mapping the fundamental niche: Physiology, climate, and the distribution of a nocturnal lizard. Ecology. Volume: 85. Pages 3119-3131. Course Material. Thermal Environments: Pattern Recognition and Experimental Design. Fall 2012. I-buttons Microsoft Excel. Mac 2012 One Wire Viewer