Polyunsaturated dietary lipids lower the selected body temperature of a lizard

Cold acclimation lowers the selected body temperature (Tb) in many ectothermic vertebrates. This change in behavioural thermoregulation is accompanied by an increase in the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids in tissues and cellular membranes. We investigated how diets containing different fatty acids, known to significantly alter the fatty acid composition of animal tissues and membranes, affect the selected Tb of the lizard Tiliqua rugosa. Lizards on a diet containing many polyunsaturated fatty acids (10% sunflower oil) showed a 3-5 degrees C decrease in Tb, whereas Tb in animals on a diet containing mainly saturated fatty acids (10% sheep fat) did not change. Our study suggests that the composition of dietary lipids influences thermoregulation in ectothermic vertebrates and may thus play a role in the seasonal adjustment of their physiology.