Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Experiment Videos

Evaluating thermoregulation in reptiles: an appropriate null model.

Keith A Christian1, Christopher R Tracy, C Richard Tracy

  • 1School of Science, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, 0909, Australia. keith.christian@cdu.edu.au

The American Naturalist
|September 2, 2006
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a new method to accurately model ectotherm body temperatures. It accounts for thermal inertia and movement, improving thermoregulation research for all ectotherm sizes.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Acclimatisation to tropical seasons: hydric and thermal physiology in Gehyra geckos.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026
Same author

A Framework for Modelling Thermal Load Sensitivity Across Life.

Global change biology·2025
Same author

Hydric and Thermal Traits of Northern Australian Geckos: Water Loss Is Not Explained by Aridity.

Ecology and evolution·2025
Same author

Climate and Dispersal Ability Limit Future Habitats for Gila Monsters in the Mojave Desert.

Ecology and evolution·2025
Same author

Polymodal K<sup>+</sup> channel modulation contributes to dual analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions of traditional botanical medicines.

Communications biology·2024
Same author

Assessing spatial distribution, genetic variants, and virulence of pathogen

Ecology and evolution·2023
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Area of Science:

  • Ectotherm physiology
  • Biophysics
  • Thermoregulation

Background:

  • Established thermoregulation indexes compare animal body temperatures to models lacking mass.
  • These models do not account for thermal inertia or movement through varying environments.
  • Previous models partially addressed mass or movement but not all key factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel technique for calculating ectotherm body temperatures.
  • To incorporate thermal inertia, movement, and variable warming/cooling rates into thermoregulation models.
  • To provide an unbiased method for evaluating thermoregulation in ectotherms.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a biophysical model of heat exchange in ectotherms.
  • Incorporated a model of random interaction with thermal environments.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Created a null distribution of body temperatures accounting for inertia and movement.

    • Main Results:

    • The new technique generates a null distribution of body temperatures for ectotherms.
    • This method accounts for thermal inertia and movement in heterogeneous environments.
    • The approach is applicable to ectotherms of all sizes, especially larger ones storing heat.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed technique offers a more comprehensive approach to modeling ectotherm body temperatures.
    • It provides an unbiased evaluation of thermoregulation, particularly for mobile ectotherms.
    • This method enhances our understanding of how environmental interactions affect ectotherm physiology.