Thermal ecology of Microlophus occipitalis (Sauria: Tropiduridae) in the Plain Dry Forest of Tumbes, Peru

Authors

  • Juan C. Jordán A. 1 Departamento de Herpetología. Museo de Historia Natural. Universidad Nacional de Mayor de San Marcos. Perú. 2 Laboratorio de Estudios en Biodiversidad (LEB). Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas. Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH). Perú.
  • José Pérez Z. 1 Departamento de Herpetología. Museo de Historia Natural. Universidad Nacional de Mayor de San Marcos. Perú. 2 Laboratorio de Estudios en Biodiversidad (LEB). Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas. Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH). Perú.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15381/rpb.v19i1.794

Keywords:

lizard, thermal ecology, Cerros de Amotape National Park, Tumbes

Abstract

The thermal ecology of Microlophus occipitalis Peters 1871 in the plain dry forests of Tumbes (northewestern Peru) was studied. Mean body temperature was 36.1 ± 1.8 ºC, similar to body temperatures exposed by Microlophus peruvianus in northern Peru. There were no differences between body temperature and degree of thermoregulation of males and females, due to a possible association to their social structure and microhabitat use. Air and substrate temperature affects the body temperature of Microlophus occipitalis, where air temperature accounts for a significant proportion of body temperature variation. We suggest more detailed studies on this lizard species, especially under climate change scenarios in northwestern Peru.

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Published

04/16/2012

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How to Cite

Jordán A., Juan C., and José Pérez Z. 2012. “Thermal Ecology of Microlophus Occipitalis (Sauria: Tropiduridae) in the Plain Dry Forest of Tumbes, Peru”. Revista Peruana De Biología 19 (1): 097-099. https://doi.org/10.15381/rpb.v19i1.794.