Panther chameleons, Furcifer pardalis, behaviorally regulate optimal exposure to UV depending on dietary vitamin D3 status.

摘要: Abstract Reptiles may bask for reasons other than thermoregulation. One alternative is to regulate homeostasis of vitamin D3, a hormone essential the health many reptiles. Maintenance D3 requires either regulation exposure ultraviolet radiation (UV) or ingested D3. However, prey items most vertebrates tend be low in Thus, basking primary opportunity regulation. We tested hypothesis that panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) behaviorally UV natural sunlight with high precision, accuracy, and effectiveness. Panther dietary intake significantly increased compared those intake. All lizards fed regulated within optimal levels extreme effectiveness (ability relative available UV). Chameleons both treatments regulated...