Thermal ecology of Microlophus occipitalis (Sauria: Tropiduridae) in the Plain Dry Forest of Tumbes, Peru

• Autores: Jordán A., Juan C., Pérez Z., José
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2012
• Institución: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos
• Repositorio: Revista UNMSM - Revista Peruana de Biología
• Lenguaje: español
• OAI Identifier: oai:ojs.csi.unmsm:article/794
• Enlace del recurso: https://revistasinvestigacion.unmsm.edu.pe/index.php/rpb/article/view/794
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: lizard; thermal ecology; Cerros de Amotape National Park; Tumbes; lagartijas; ecología termal; Parque Nacional Cerros de Amotape

The thermal ecology of Microlophus occipitalis Peters 1871 in the plain dry forests of Tumbes (northewestern Peru) was studied. Mean body temperature was 36.1 ± 1.8 ºC, similar to body temperatures exposed by Microlophus peruvianus in northern Peru. There were no differences between body temperature and degree of thermoregulation of males and females, due to a possible association to their social structure and microhabitat use. Air and substrate temperature affects the body temperature of Microlophus occipitalis, where air temperature accounts for a significant proportion of body temperature variation. We suggest more detailed studies on this lizard species, especially under climate change scenarios in northwestern Peru.