Date of Award
7-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Travis R. Robbins
Second Advisor
Dr. James A. Wilson
Third Advisor
Dr. Nathaniel H. Hunt
Abstract
The environment to which an organism is exposed plays a crucial role in all ontogenetic stages of their life history. Specifically, as ectotherms do not produce their own body heat, thermal environments determine many phenotypes and physiological rates. Additionally, because thermal environments can vary depending on latitude and altitude, it is possible for ectotherm populations to compensate to local thermal environments. One such physiological rate of importance is metabolic rate. Metabolism underlies all processes of an organism that require energy, making metabolic rate a great general measure of organismal performance. Through these chapters, metabolic rates are measured in three life stages across populations of Sceloporus consobrinus that span their latitudinal thermal range. We aim to understand how ectotherm populations may compensate, adapt, or evolve to their local thermal environments. Our findings suggest that Sceloporus consobrinus demonstrate compensation in metabolism, suggesting adaptations to their local thermal environment in some traits.
Recommended Citation
Haussmann, Benjamin D., "Thermal sensitivity of metabolic rates across ontogeny in a widespread lizard species" (2024). Biology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity. 2.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/biostudent/2
Comments
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