Physiological correlates of natural activity and locomotor capacity in two species of lacertid lizards

Albert F. Bennett, Raymond B. Huey, Henry John-Alder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

1. Physiological factors relating to activity metabolism were measured in two species of African lacertid lizards that differ greatly in natural foraging patterns:Eremias lineoocellata, a sit-and-wait predator, and E. lugubris, a widely foraging animal. 2. Maximal oxygen consumption at 37°C is greater in E. lugubris [3.22 ml O2/(gxh)] than in E. lineoocellata [2.49 ml O2/(gxh)]. 3. Anaerobic scope and capacity at 37°C are greater in E. lineoocellata [2.56 mg lactate/(gx min) and 1.81 mg lactate/g] than in E. lugubris [2.12 mg lactate/(gxmin) and 1.40 mg lactate/g]. 4. Relative heart mass and hematocrit are greater in E. lugubris than in E. lineoocellata (0.28% and 0.24% body mass; 30.1 and 24.4 respectively). 5. No significant interspecific differences occur in hind limb muscle mass as a percentage of body mass or in myoglobin concentration, citrate synthase or myofibrillar ATPase activity of hind limb skeletal muscle. 6. No significant interspecific differences occur in isometric contractile properties (twitch and tetanic tension, twitch rise time and half-relaxation time, and fatigue response to tetanic stimulation) of the iliofibularis muscle. 7. Organismal metabolic patterns of aerobic and anaerobic capacity reflect differences in locomotor capacity and natural foraging patterns of these species.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)113-118
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Comparative Physiology B
Volume154
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1984
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Endocrinology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Physiological correlates of natural activity and locomotor capacity in two species of lacertid lizards'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this