Evaluating temperature regulation by field-active ectotherms: the fallacy of the inappropriate question.

摘要: We describe a research protocol for evaluating temperature regulation from data on small field-active ectothermic animals, especially lizards. The requires body temperatures (Tb) of ectotherms, available operative (Te, "null temperatures" nonregulating animals), and the thermoregulatory set-point range (preferred temperatures, Tset). These are used to estimate several quantitative indexes that collectively summarize regulation: "precision" (variance in Tb, or an equivalent metric), "accuracy" relative (the average difference between Tb Tset), "effectiveness" thermoregulation extent which closer than temperatures). If additional thermal dependence performance available, impact is enhanced animals) can also be estimated. A sample analysis biology three Anolis lizards Puerto Rico demonstrates utility new its superiority previous methods regulation. discuss ways extended applied other organisms.