Ecophysiology of Uromastyx desert lizards and consequences for current and future distribution

摘要: In addition, environmental variables and point locality data derived from several sources were used to examine the concordance between geographical distributions and environmental niches derived from occurrences for fifteen species of the genus Uromastyx and to predict the potential impact of climate change on the distribution of Uromastyx species worldwide using Ecological Niche Models (ENMs) under RCPs 2.6 and 8.5 emission scenarios for the year 2070. Morphometric analysis showed a sexual size dimorphism in U. acanthinura, with adult males reaching longer total lengths and greater weight compared to females. Diet has been described as largely herbivorous in U. acanthinura, with predominantly plant material during their active seasons. These animals prefer to set up their burrows in rocky sites close to agricultural areas and on mountain slopes facing between south west and south east and avoid living near to roads and urban areas. In the three sampling periods (spring, summer and Summary 9 autumn), the mean activity temperature of U. acanthinura (mean ±SE = 35.7 ±0.22°C) was near the range of preferred temperatures registered for other similar lizards species (34–37 °C). Results indicated that bigger individuals achieve their preferred body temperature by spending more time exposed on full sun. Furthermore, the study revealed that human disturbance may be a potential stressor for the threatened spiny-tailed lizard, which may result in increased levels of glucocortocoids. Males had higher plasma corticosterone than females, and these levels were higher in autumn than in summer and spring in both sexes. Moreover …