Extreme operative temperatures are better descriptors of the thermal environment than mean temperatures

Journal of Thermal Biology
Agustín CamachoCarlos Navas

Abstract

In ecological studies of thermal biology the thermal environment is most frequently described using the mean or other measures of central tendency in environmental temperatures. However, this procedure may hide biologically relevant thermal variation for ectotherms, potentially misleading interpretations. Extremes of operative temperatures (EOT) can help with this problem by bracketing the thermal environment of focal animals. Within this paper, we quantify how mean operative temperatures relate to the range of simultaneously available operative temperatures (a measure of error). We also show how EOT: 1) detect more thermal differences among microsites than measures of central tendency, like the mean OT, 2) allow inferring on microsite use by ectothermic animals, and 3) clarify the relationships between field operative temperatures and temperatures measured at weather stations (WS). To do that, we explored operative temperatures measured at four sites of the Brazilian Caatingas and their correspondent nearest weather stations. We found that the daily mean OT can hide temperature ranges of 41 °C simultaneously available at our study sites. In addition, EOT detected more thermal differences among microsites than central quantiles...Continue Reading

References

Sep 28, 2004·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Frank Seebacher, Richard Shine
Jun 22, 2006·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Mark W Denny, Christopher D G Harley
Sep 2, 2006·The American Naturalist·Keith A ChristianC Richard Tracy
May 7, 2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Curtis A DeutschPaul R Martin
May 16, 2008·Biometrical Journal. Biometrische Zeitschrift·Torsten HothornPeter Westfall
Feb 3, 2009·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Benjamin M BolkerJada-Simone S White
Feb 24, 2009·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Michael KearneyWarren P Porter
Mar 28, 2009·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Raymond B HueyTheodore Garland
May 15, 2010·Science·Barry SinervoJack W Sites
Apr 27, 2013·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Lauren B BuckleyJoel G Kingsolver

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 16, 2016·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Kimberly S Sheldon, Michael E Dillon
Jan 10, 2018·Integrative Zoology·Agustín CamachoMichael J Angilletta
Dec 19, 2015·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Erika Leticia KubischNora Ruth Ibargüengoytía
Jun 15, 2020·The Journal of Animal Ecology·David Rozen-RechelsJean-François Le Galliard
Aug 31, 2019·Journal of Thermal Biology·Panayiotis PafilisColin M Donihue

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.