Thermal quality influences effectiveness of thermoregulation, habitat use, and behaviour in milk snakes

We investigated the link between thermal quality and the effectiveness of thermoregulation in milk snakes in a thermally challenging environment. We defined thermoregulatory effectiveness as the extent to which an individual maintains its body temperature (T b) closer to the preferred range (T ₛₑₜ)...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oecologia 2006-05, Vol.148 (1), p.1-11
Main Authors: Row, Jeffrey R, Blouin-Demers, Gabriel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ambient temperature
Amphibia. Reptilia
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Behavior, Animal - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Body temperature
Body Temperature Regulation - physiology
Ecophysiology
Ecosystem
Female
Forest ecology
Forest habitats
forests
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Habitat preferences
Habitat selection
Habitats
Male
Milk
Seasons
Snakes
Snakes - physiology
Spring
Summer
Thermoregulation
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We investigated the link between thermal quality and the effectiveness of thermoregulation in milk snakes in a thermally challenging environment. We defined thermoregulatory effectiveness as the extent to which an individual maintains its body temperature (T b) closer to the preferred range (T ₛₑₜ) than allowed by the thermal quality of its environment. We defined thermal quality as the magnitude of the difference between operative environmental temperatures (T ₑ) and T ₛₑₜ. Because ectotherms regulate body temperatures through choice of habitat and behavioural adjustments, we also examined the link between thermoregulation, habitat use and behaviour. During 2003–2004, we located 25 individuals 890 times, and recorded their T b. Thermal quality was lower in the spring and fall than in the summer, and was lower in forests than in open habitats. Milk snakes thermoregulated more effectively in the spring than in the summer and fall, and more effectively in the forest than in open habitats. Milk snakes had a strong preference for open habitats in all seasons, which was likely to facilitate behavioural thermoregulation. The preference for open habitats was equally strong in all seasons and, therefore, the higher effectiveness of thermoregulation was not a result of altered habitat use. Instead, milk snakes modified their behaviour and were seen basking more and moved less in the spring than in the summer.
ISSN:0029-8549
1432-1939
DOI:10.1007/s00442-005-0350-7