Integrating physiology into conservation: an approach to help guide translocations of a rare reptile in a warming environment.

摘要: The physiology of an animal determines the range environmental conditions under which it can survive. Surprisingly, relatively few conservation studies have used to make predictions about performances translocated individuals in their new environment. Tuatara Sphenodon punctatus are international significance as last rhynchocephalian reptile. Natural populations now restricted ∼30 offshore islands northern New Zealand, where survival at least one population is threatened by climate change. Translocation cooler regions (further south, but within past latitudinal genus) important option for future management. However, genetic suitability available source environments that currently unclear. To help predict success translocation, we examined effects cool temperature on juveniles sourced from most southerly natural and compared these with three lizard species inhabit southern Zealand. We found tuatara possess same preferred body temperature, feeding responses temperatures critical thermal minimum species. did not digest below 12 °C, suggesting reintroduction sites must offer enough basking opportunities allow digestion prey winter. As showed cold similar lizards will survive if south current range, whether they be able produce self-sustaining still needs investigation. Physiological study should combined measurements performance experimental translocation.