Spectral analysis of heart rate variability of lizard, Gallotia galloti

The beat-to-beat heart rate of the lizard, Gallotia galloti, at rest shows short-term oscillations, the frequency of which varies with body temperature. Spectral analysis of the heart rate variability signal shows that, above 20 degrees C, two major frequency components are present: the first component has a mean frequency ranging from 0.032 at 20 degrees C to 0.070 Hz at 35 degrees C and the second from 0.039 at 20 degrees C to 0.10 Hz at 35 degrees C of body temperature. The beat-to-beat heart rate variability does not seem to be correlated with ventilatory activity. The two spectral components could be associated as in mammals with the activity of the control systems that regulate the circulation, especially with the cutaneous vasomotor thermoregulatory and endogenous pressure vasomotor activities. Transient interactions between both components are described.