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Updated: Mar 1, 2026
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An Automated Method to Determine the Performance of Drosophila in Response to Temperature Changes in Space and Time
Published on: October 12, 2018
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LOCOMOTOR PERFORMANCE AT LOW TEMPERATURE AND THE EVOLUTION OF NOCTURNALITY IN GECKOS
Kellar Autumn1,2, Devin Jindrich2, Dale DeNardo2
1Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, 3101 Valley Life Sciences Building, University of California, Berkeley, California, 94720-3160.
Summary
Nocturnal geckos evolved a low cost of locomotion to overcome the thermal handicap of night activity. This adaptation increased their maximum aerobic speed, enabling survival in cooler temperatures despite reduced oxygen consumption.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary physiology
- Comparative biomechanics
- Herpetology
Background:
- Nocturnal geckos are active at temperatures significantly below the optimal range for diurnal lizards.
- This presents a thermal handicap for locomotor performance due to ancestral diurnal physiology.
- A low minimum cost of locomotion (Cmin) was hypothesized to enhance endurance in geckos at low temperatures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first phylogenetic analysis of maximum aerobic speed (MAS) and maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2max) in lizards.
- To investigate the evolutionary adaptations of geckos to nocturnal activity and low temperatures.
- To test the hypothesis that evolved physiological traits enhance performance in derived environments.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of MAS, VO2max, and Cmin across lizard species.
- Allometric analysis and phylogenetically independent contrasts to assess evolutionary changes.
- Experimental measurements of Cmin and MAS in six gecko species.
Main Results:
- Significant evolutionary decreases in VO2max (72%) and Cmin (50%) coincided with the evolution of nocturnality in geckos.
- Geckos evolved MAS twice that of diurnal lizards at low temperatures, primarily due to a remarkably low Cmin.
- Decreased Cmin increased MAS by 50-120% in geckos compared to diurnal lizards at low temperatures.
Conclusions:
- The evolution of a low cost of locomotion was highly adaptive for geckos entering nocturnal environments.
- Geckos partially offset the thermal effects of nocturnality but only compensated for about 50% of the MAS decrease.
- An integrative approach combining phylogeny with environmental and physiological factors is crucial for understanding ecophysiological evolution.
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