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Rutschmann A, Perry C, Le Galliard JF, Dupoué A, Lourdais O, Guillon M, Brusch G, Cote J, Richard M, Clobert J, Miles DB. Ecological responses of squamate reptiles to nocturnal warming. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:598-621. [PMID: 38062628 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Nocturnal temperatures are increasing at a pace exceeding diurnal temperatures in most parts of the world. The role of warmer nocturnal temperatures in animal ecology has received scant attention and most studies focus on diurnal or daily descriptors of thermal environments' temporal trends. Yet, available evidence from plant and insect studies suggests that organisms can exhibit contrasting physiological responses to diurnal and nocturnal warming. Limiting studies to diurnal trends can thus result in incomplete and misleading interpretations of the ability of species to cope with global warming. Although they are expected to be impacted by warmer nocturnal temperatures, insufficient data are available regarding the night-time ecology of vertebrate ectotherms. Here, we illustrate the complex effects of nocturnal warming on squamate reptiles, a keystone group of vertebrate ectotherms. Our review includes discussion of diurnal and nocturnal ectotherms, but we mainly focus on diurnal species for which nocturnal warming affects a period dedicated to physiological recovery, and thus may perturb activity patterns and energy balance. We first summarise the physical consequences of nocturnal warming on habitats used by squamate reptiles. Second, we describe how such changes can alter the energy balance of diurnal species. We illustrate this with empirical data from the asp viper (Vipera aspis) and common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), two diurnal species found throughout western Europe. Third, we make use of a mechanistic approach based on an energy-balance model to draw general conclusions about the effects of nocturnal temperatures. Fourth, we examine how warmer nights may affect squamates over their lifetime, with potential consequences on individual fitness and population dynamics. We review quantitative evidence for such lifetime effects using recent data derived from a range of studies on the European common lizard (Zootoca vivipara). Finally, we consider the broader eco-evolutionary ramifications of nocturnal warming and highlight several research questions that require future attention. Our work emphasises the importance of considering the joint influence of diurnal and nocturnal warming on the responses of vertebrate ectotherms to climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Rutschmann
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis, CNRS UAR2029, 02 route du CNRS, Moulis, 09200, France
| | - Constant Perry
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis, CNRS UAR2029, 02 route du CNRS, Moulis, 09200, France
| | - Jean-François Le Galliard
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 7618, IRD, INRAE, Institut d'écologie et des sciences de l'environnement (iEES Paris), Tours 44-45, 4 Place Jussieu, Paris, 75005, France
- Département de Biologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMS 3194, Centre de Recherche en écologie expérimentale et Prédictive (CEREEP-Ecotron IleDeFrance), 78 rue du château, Saint-Pierre-Lès-Nemours, 77140, France
| | - Andréaz Dupoué
- Ifremer, Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, UMR 6539, LEMAR, 1625 Rte de Sainte-Anne, Plouzané, 29280, France
| | - Olivier Lourdais
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372-Université de La Rochelle, 405 Route de Prissé la Charrière, Villiers-en-Bois, 79630, France
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Life Sciences Center Building, 427E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Michaël Guillon
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372-Université de La Rochelle, 405 Route de Prissé la Charrière, Villiers-en-Bois, 79630, France
- Cistude Nature, Chemin du Moulinat-33185, Le Haillan, France
| | - George Brusch
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Marcos, CA, 92096, USA
| | - Julien Cote
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR5174, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, CNRS, IRD, 118 Rte de Narbonne, Toulouse, 31077, France
| | - Murielle Richard
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis, CNRS UAR2029, 02 route du CNRS, Moulis, 09200, France
| | - Jean Clobert
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis, CNRS UAR2029, 02 route du CNRS, Moulis, 09200, France
| | - Donald B Miles
- Department of Biological Sciences, 131 Life Science Building, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
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A quantitative synthesis of and predictive framework for studying winter warming effects in reptiles. Oecologia 2022; 200:259-271. [PMID: 36100724 PMCID: PMC9547783 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05251-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Increases in temperature related to global warming have important implications for organismal fitness. For ectotherms inhabiting temperate regions, ‘winter warming’ is likely to be a key source of the thermal variation experienced in future years. Studies focusing on the active season predict largely positive responses to warming in the reptiles; however, overlooking potentially deleterious consequences of warming during the inactive season could lead to biased assessments of climate change vulnerability. Here, we review the overwinter ecology of reptiles, and test specific predictions about the effects of warming winters, by performing a meta-analysis of all studies testing winter warming effects on reptile traits to date. We collated information from observational studies measuring responses to natural variation in temperature in more than one winter season, and experimental studies which manipulated ambient temperature during the winter season. Available evidence supports that most reptiles will advance phenologies with rising winter temperatures, which could positively affect fitness by prolonging the active season although effects of these shifts are poorly understood. Conversely, evidence for shifts in survivorship and body condition in response to warming winters was equivocal, with disruptions to biological rhythms potentially leading to unforeseen fitness ramifications. Our results suggest that the effects of warming winters on reptile species are likely to be important but highlight the need for more data and greater integration of experimental and observational approaches. To improve future understanding, we recap major knowledge gaps in the published literature of winter warming effects in reptiles and outline a framework for future research.
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Rutschmann A, Dupoué A, Miles DB, Megía-Palma R, Lauden C, Richard M, Badiane A, Rozen-Rechels D, Brevet M, Blaimont P, Meylan S, Clobert J, Le Galliard JF. Intense nocturnal warming alters growth strategies, colouration and parasite load in a diurnal lizard. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:1864-1877. [PMID: 33884616 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In the past decades, nocturnal temperatures have been playing a disproportionate role in the global warming of the planet. Yet, they remain a neglected factor in studies assessing the impact of global warming on natural populations. Here, we question whether an intense augmentation of nocturnal temperatures is beneficial or deleterious to ectotherms. Physiological performance is influenced by thermal conditions in ectotherms and an increase in temperature by only 2°C is sufficient to induce a disproportionate increase in metabolic expenditure. Warmer nights may expand ectotherms' species thermal niche and open new opportunities for prolonged activities and improve foraging efficiency. However, increased activity may also have deleterious effects on energy balance if exposure to warmer nights reduces resting periods and elevates resting metabolic rate. We assessed whether warmer nights affected an individual's growth, dorsal skin colouration, thermoregulation behaviour, oxidative stress status and parasite load by exposing yearling common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) from four populations to either ambient or high nocturnal temperatures for approximately 5 weeks. Warmer nocturnal temperatures increased the prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation and altered allocation of resources towards structural growth rather than storage. We found no change in markers for oxidative stress. The thermal treatment did not influence thermal preferences, but influenced dorsal skin brightness and luminance, in line with a predicted acclimation response in colder environments to enhance heat gain from solar radiation. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of considering nocturnal warming as an independent factor affecting ectotherms' life history in the context of global climate change. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Rutschmann
- USR5321, CNRS, Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (SETE), Moulis, France.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andréaz Dupoué
- INRA, IRD, CNRS, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES)-Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Donald B Miles
- USR5321, CNRS, Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (SETE), Moulis, France.,Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Rodrigo Megía-Palma
- CIBIO, InBIO - Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal.,School of Pharmacy, Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Clémence Lauden
- USR5321, CNRS, Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (SETE), Moulis, France
| | - Murielle Richard
- USR5321, CNRS, Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (SETE), Moulis, France
| | - Arnaud Badiane
- INRA, IRD, CNRS, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES)-Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - David Rozen-Rechels
- INRA, IRD, CNRS, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES)-Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS, La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Mathieu Brevet
- USR5321, CNRS, Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (SETE), Moulis, France
| | | | - Sandrine Meylan
- INRA, IRD, CNRS, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES)-Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jean Clobert
- USR5321, CNRS, Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (SETE), Moulis, France
| | - Jean-François Le Galliard
- INRA, IRD, CNRS, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES)-Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Centre de Recherche en Écologie Expérimentale et Prédictive (CEREEP-Ecotron Ile De France), Département de Biologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, PSL University, Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours, France
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Evans KE, Brummett L, Combrink L, Holden K, Catalina G, Farrar S, Rodriguez C, Sparkman AM. Embryonic heart rate correlates with maternal temperature and developmental stage in viviparous snakes. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2020; 253:110874. [PMID: 33348020 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between the environment and maternal and embryonic physiology can have critical ramifications for early-life phenotypes and survival in a range of species. A major component of the environment-maternal-embryonic nexus is the regulation of embryonic heart rate, which can have important ramifications for developmental phenology, but remains relatively unexplored in viviparous reptiles. The goal of this study was to test for a relationship between embryonic heart rate and maternal body temperature in two species of viviparous garter snakes. The embryonic heart rates of Thamnophis elegans and T. sirtalis were assessed using a field-portable ultrasound. For both T. elegans and T. sirtalis, embryonic heart rate was strongly correlated to maternal temperature. Interestingly, there was also a strong correlation between embryonic and maternal heart rate that was most likely mediated by a common response to maternal body temperature, in spite of the effects of handling during ultrasound on maternal heart rate. Furthermore, embryos at earlier developmental stages had lower heart rates. To our knowledge, this study is the first to explore embryonic heart rate in viviparous reptiles, providing a foundation for future work using ultrasonography to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses related to developmental dynamics in free-ranging viviparous species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Evans
- Westmont College, 955 La Paz Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, USA
| | - Lilly Brummett
- Westmont College, 955 La Paz Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, USA
| | - Lucia Combrink
- Westmont College, 955 La Paz Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, USA
| | | | | | - Sierra Farrar
- Westmont College, 955 La Paz Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, USA
| | - Caleb Rodriguez
- Westmont College, 955 La Paz Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, USA
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Chukwuka CO, Monks JM, Cree A. Heat and water loss versus shelter: a dilemma in thermoregulatory decision making for a retreat-dwelling nocturnal gecko. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb231241. [PMID: 32778565 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.231241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the interaction between upper voluntary thermal limit (VTmax) and water loss may aid in predicting responses of ectotherms to increasing temperatures within microhabitats. However, the temperature at which climate heating will force cool-climate nocturnal lizards to abandon daytime retreats remains poorly understood. Here, we developed a new laboratory protocol for determining VTmax in the retreat-dwelling, viviparous Woodworthia 'Otago/Southland' gecko, based on escape behaviour (abandonment of heated retreat). We compared the body temperature (Tb) at VTmax, and duration of heating, between two source groups with different thermal histories, and among three reproductive groups. We also examined continuous changes in Tb (via an attached biologger) and total evaporative water loss (EWL) during heating. In the field, we measured Tb and microhabitat thermal profiles to establish whether geckos reach VTmax in nature. We found that VTmax and duration of heating varied between source groups (and thus potentially with prior thermal experience), but not among reproductive groups. Moreover, geckos reached a peak temperature slightly higher than VTmax before abandoning the retreat. Total EWL increased with increasing VTmax and with the duration of heating. In the field, pregnant geckos with attached biologgers reached VTmax temperature, and temperatures of some separately monitored microhabitats exceeded VTmax in hot weather implying that some retreats must be abandoned to avoid overheating. Our results suggest that cool-climate nocturnal lizards that inhabit daytime retreats may abandon retreats more frequently if climate warming persists, implying a trade-off between retention of originally occupied shelter and ongoing water loss due to overheating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian O Chukwuka
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Department of Biology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Joanne M Monks
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Department of Conservation, Dunedin 9058, New Zealand
| | - Alison Cree
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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