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Ventilation and gas exchange in lizards during treadmill exercise
T Wang1, D R Carrier, J W Hicks
1Department of Ecology, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92717, USA. wang@biology.ou.dk
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|November 14, 1997
Summary
Lizards show varied lung ventilation during exercise. Varanus exanthematicus effectively matches oxygen demand, while Iguana iguana struggles with ventilation at higher speeds.
Area of Science:
- Comparative physiology
- Respiratory physiology in reptiles
Background:
- Conflicting data exists on lizard lung ventilation during locomotion.
- Some studies suggest reduced ventilation with increased speed, others show constant oxygen levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lung ventilation and gas exchange in lizards during treadmill locomotion.
- To resolve discrepancies in previous research on reptile exercise physiology.
Main Methods:
- Measured minute ventilation and gas exchange rate in Varanus exanthematicus and Iguana iguana.
- Utilized treadmill locomotion at various speeds (0.14-1.11 m/s) at 35°C.
Main Results:
- Varanus exanthematicus showed a significant increase in minute ventilation (6-8 fold) that exceeded oxygen uptake increase, indicating effective ventilation.
- Iguana iguana's ventilation initially increased but then decreased with higher speeds, failing to meet oxygen demand.
- Both species exhibited irregular breathing patterns during locomotion.
Conclusions:
- Varanus exanthematicus demonstrates effective lung ventilation to meet metabolic demands during moderate-speed locomotion.
- Iguana iguana appears ventilation-limited at moderate to higher locomotor speeds.
- Locomotion interferes with lung ventilation in lizards.