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.

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Available for download on Tuesday, July 01, 2025

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