Linked Life Data

11009405

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/11009405

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-11-28
pubmed:abstractText
Thermoregulatory behavior is an important component of daily activities for many reptiles, especially for small heliothermic (sun-basking) species that inhabit cold climates. However, the relative costs and benefits of thermoregulation depend on numerous factors, such that reptiles may sometimes accord a low priority to precise control of body temperatures. We observed and radio tracked garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) in central Manitoba during the mating season (spring). Previous studies on this species have documented precise behavioral regulation of body temperatures during summer. In contrast, the courting snakes that we studied in springtime spent little time in overt thermoregulatory behavior. Body temperatures were extremely variable (both in outdoor enclosures and in the field) despite abundant opportunities for more precise thermal control. These small elongate reptiles cool so quickly (relative to the time periods needed for effective courtship) that any benefit to higher body temperatures would be transitory at best. Experiments show that hotter males are no better at obtaining matings or at detecting predators. Thus, male garter snakes concentrate on courtship rather than on basking. In the face of conflicting priorities, reptiles may often forgo precise thermoregulation because its benefits are too low, and its costs too high, compared with alternative behaviors.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
1522-2152
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
73
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
508-16
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
Conflicts between courtship and thermoregulation: the thermal ecology of amorous male garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis, colubridae).
pubmed:affiliation
School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia. rics@bio.usyd.edu.au
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't