The Herpetological Journal

pp.544-549

Authors: Florentino Braña

Abstract: Body temperature of active Podarcis muralis from Norefia (Asturias; Northern Spain) during summer averages 33. 8°C (SO= 2.0, n = 116), and similar values were found in other close populations (grand mean: 33. 8°C, SO = 2.3, n = 171 ). There were no significant differences neither in body temperatures between populations nor between sex/age groups within populations. Daily activity pattern is bimodal, with depressed activity during the warmer hours at the midday. This pattern of activity, as well as the significant negative correlation between the percentage of lizards at sun and the environmental temperatures, are indicative of behavioural thermoregulation. The standard deviations of the mean body temperature and the slopes of the regressions of body temperature on environment temperatures are indicative of a relatively imprecise thermoregulation. Populations from the highest altitudes show a higher variability in body temperature and a greater dependence on the thermal environment.