A heterogeneous thermal environment enables remarkable behavioral thermoregulation in Uta stansburiana

摘要: Ectotherms can attain preferred body temperatures by selecting specific temperature microhabitats within a varied thermal environment. The side-blotched lizard, Uta stansburiana may employ microhabitat selection to thermoregulate behaviorally. It is unknown what degree habitat structural complexity provides for thermoregulation. Thermal structure, lizard temperature, and substrate preference were simultaneously evaluated using imaging. A broad range of was available (mean 11°C 1–2 m2) while mean between 36°C 38°C. Lizards selected sites that differed significantly from the environmental indicating behavioral thermoregulation, maintained above their perch difference 2.6°C). Uta's thermoregulatory potential complex structure suggests warming trend prove advantageous, rather than detrimental this population.